1  I  B  R  A  R.  Y 

OF   THL 

UNIVERSITY 
OF    ILLINOIS 


HISTORY 

OF 

STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ILLINOIS 

A   RECORD   OF   ITS    SETTLEMENT,    ORGANIZATION 
AND  THREE-QUARTERS  OF  A  CENTURY  OF  PROGRESS 

By  ADDISON  L.  FULWIDER,  A.  M. 

"•History  is  the  accumulated  experience  of  the  race." — JUDSON 


VOLUME  I 


ILLUSTRATED 


CHICAGO 

THE  S.  J.   CLARKE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 
1910 


LlfiSARY 
OF  THE 
.•UNIVEKSI1Y  OF  ILLIJKMS 


L.  A.  FUI/WIDEK 


- 


HISTORY  OF 

STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


ILLINOIS. 

' 

UNDER  FOUR  FLAGS. 

The  first  people  to  roam  over  Stephenson  County  and  Illinois  were  the 
'  Mound  Builders.  In  various  parts  of  Illinois  there  are  evidences  that  these 
early  people  lived  here  in  great  numbers.  In  Winnebago  County  and  in  White- 
side  County,  are  yet  to  be  found  interesting  mounds,  the  homes  and  burial 
places  of  this  ancient  people  who  undoubtedly  at  an  early  day  occupied  part  of 
this  County.  They  have  gone  and  have  left  little  or  nothing  of  value  to  the 
march  of  civilization. 

Then  came  the  Indian.     Two  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago,  this  state,  that 
i  •  now  has  a  population  of  over  six  million  people  in  the  height  of  civilization, 
|   was  overrun  by  only  a  few  thousand  red  men.     They  were   Algonquins  and 
Dakotas,  broken  up  into  several  subordinate  bands,  living  for  the  most  part  on 
wild  game.     The   squaws  engaged  in  a   rude  and  primitive   agriculture.     The 
-  largest  and  best  known  Indian  tribe  was  the  "Illinois,"  a  division  of  the  Algon- 
^,'quin,  who  settled  along  the  Illinois  River,  occupying  the  state  from  Joliet  to 
Kaskaskia.     To  the  north,  and  in  Stephenson  county,  were  the  Winnebagoes, 
a  branch  of  the  Dakotas.     The  state  was  so  large  and  the  Indian  population 
small,  that  it  cannot  be  said  that  to  any  great  extent  they  made  use  of  the 
land  at  all.     Friendly,  at   first,   to  the   French   Traders   and   Missionaries,  .  the 
Indians  opposed  the  advance  of  the  white  settlements.     The  most  bitter  opposi- 
tion  came  from  a  band  of  Sacs  and  Foxes  under  Black  Hawk.    With  the  de- 
feat  and  almost  extermination  of  this  band  in   1832,  fourteen  years  after  Illi- 
became  a  state  and  within  the  memory  of  men  yet  living  here,  came  the 
of  Indian  occupation  and  resistance. 
The  Indian  had  gone  west  from  Stephenson  County  to  await  the  doom  of 
extinction   that  hangs  over  his   head.      He  left  this   great,    rich   and   beautiful 
1^  state,  no  better  than  he  found  it.    He  added  nothing  to  the  storehouse  of  civiliza- 
?  tion.     Nothing  did  he  add  to  the   stock  of  our  institutions.     Aside   from  an 
interesting  tradition  and  stories  of  a  wild  romantic  life,  it  may  be  safely  said 

3 
5s 


I  1  09475 


4  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

that  the  only  lasting  contribution  of  the  Indian  to  the  civilization  of  today,  is 
to  be  found  in  the  brave,  independent  and  sturdy  character  of  the  pioneers,  made 
stronger  and  more  self-reliant  by  the  dangers  of  Indian  warfare — in  the  big, 
frank,  progressive  spirit  of  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  where  there  is  grow- 
ing up  the  genuine,  distinctive  American  spirit. 

The  first  flag  of  a  civilized  people  to  wave  over  the  prairies  of  Illinois,  was 
the  flag  of  France.  The  French  explorations  from  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence, up  that  river,  over  the  Great  Lakes,  over  the  portages,  down  the  Illi- 
nois, and  on  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi,  have  no  rival  in  the  history  of  the 
world.  From  the  discovery  of  the  St.  Lawrence  in  1534  and  the  settlement  of 
Champlain,  in  1608,  French  love  of  romantic  daring,  determined  patriotism  and 
religious  zeal  never  flagged  till  the  whole  of  the  Mississippi  valley  was  made 
known  to  the  civilized  world.  The  work  of  exploration  was  carried  on  to  Lake 
Michigan.  It  was  then  taken  up  by  these  wonderful  men:  Marquette,  Joliet, 
Hennepin,  Allonez,  Tonti  and  La  Salle.  In  birch  bark  canoes,  they  went  up 
and  down  the  Wisconsin,  Illinois,  the  Rock  River  and  the  Mississippi,  trading 
with  the  Indians,  preaching  Christianity  to  them,  establishing  trading  posts 
and  planting  here  the  flag  of  France.  La  Salle  built  Fort  Crevecoeur 
near  Peoria,  in  1680,  and  in  1683,  Fort  St.  Louis,  between  Ottawa  and  La 
Salle.  French  settlements  were  established  at  Cahokia  and  at  Kaskaskia. 
French  settlers  came  from  France  and  from  New  Orleans.  In  1720,  Fort 
Chartres  was  built  on  the  Mississippi  between  Kaskaskia  and  Cahokia.  In  1750 
there  were  eleven  hundred  French  in  Illinois  about  Kaskaskia  and  three  hun- 
dred negroes  and  sixty  red  slaves.  The  negro  slaves  were  brought  into  Illi- 
nois as  a  result  of  edicts  by  Louis  XIII  and  Louis  XIV.  The  officers  in  Illi- 
nois then  were  a  commandant  and  a  civil  judge.  There  was  no  representative 
government. 

The  European  wars  between  France  and  England  spread  to  America.  Eng- 
lad  won  America  at  the  battle  of  Quebec,  in  1759,  and  Illinois  and  Stephenson 
County  passed  from  France  to  England  by  the  Treaty  of  Paris,  1763.  The 
dream  of  a  great  French  empire  was  gone  forever  and  the  French  flag  gave 
away  the  banner  of  Great  Britain. 

Illinois  was  under  the  actual  rule  of  England  from  1763  till  the  conquest 
by  Colonel  Geo.  Rogers  Clarke  in  1778-1779.  The  Revolutionary  War  came 
in  1776  and  the  Americans  were  aroused  against  the  English  Forts  in  Illinois, 
because  they  felt  that  the  English  were  stirring  up  the  Indians  against  the  fron- 
tier settlements.  Geo.  Rogers  Clarke,  a  Virginian,  who  knew  the  value  of  the 
west,  secured  a  commission  from  Geo.  Patrick  Henry  and  in  1778  with  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men  equipped  largely  by  his  own  means,  marched  to 
Pittsburg,  dropped  down  the  Ohio  in  flat  boats,  plunged  through  the  wilds  of 
Southern  Illinois,  and  captured  Kaskaskia  and  Cahokia.  In  1779,  he  made  a 
desperate  march  across  Southern  Illinois  and  captured  Vincennes.  Thus  the 
British  flag  went  down  forever  in  Illinois  and  the  rule  of  Virginia,  the  "Old 
Dominion,"  began  with  the  organization  of  the  "County  of  Illinois,"  in  1779. 
The  Treaty  of  1763  ceded  the  Northwest  to  the  thirteen  United  Colonies  and, 
Virginia,  after  an  occupation  of  five  years  ceded  Illinois  and  the  Northwest  to 
the  United  States  in  1784.  Then  over  old  Fort  Chartres,  and  over  Illinois, 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  5 

waved  the  Star  Spangled  Banner,  the  flag  of  the  United  States.  The  flags  of 
France,  of  England  and  of  Virginia  had  passed  upon  Illinois  and  the  future  of 
this  great  state  was  henceforth  to  be  identified  with  the  history  of  America. 

The  Ordinance  of  1787,  passed  by  the  Old  Continental  Congress,  organized' 
the  Northwest  Territory  and  prohibited   slavery.     Illinois  was  organized   as  a 
separate  territory  in  1809,  including  Wisconsin  and  a  large  part  of  Michigan.^ 
There  were,  in  1810,  12,282  white  people  in  Illinois  and  about  600  negro  slaves  i( 
indentured  servants.    The  governor  was  Ninian  Edwards  of  Kentucky.    In  1812  j 
tTTe~people  were  granted  a  representative  assembly.     Like  the  spirit  of  the  west, 
the  government  was  liberal,  giving  the  right  to  vote  to  all  male  taxpayers,  and 
providing  for  the  direct  election  of  both  branches  of  the  Territorial  Legisla- 
ture.    The  first  meeting  of  the  Representative  Legislature  was  held  at  Kaskas-' 
kia,  Nov.  25,  1812. 

In  1818,  Illinois,  through  her  delegate  to  Congress,  Wm.  Nathaniel  Pope, 
asked  admission  into  the  Union  as  a  state.  The  old  Northern  Boundary  Line, 
suggested  by  the  Ordinance  of  1787,  would  have  cut  off  the  three  northern  tiers 
of  counties  and  left  Illinois  without  a  foot  hold  on  Lake  Michigan.  Pope  was 
alive  to  the  interests  of  his  state  and  to  the  welfare  of  the  nation.  Seeing  the 
value  of  Lake  Michigan  to  the  state,  he  secured  the  adoption  of  an  amendment 
that  fixed  the  boundary  line  at  42°  30',  giving  the  state  its  present  frontage  on 
the  lake.  This  change,  binding  the  state  to  the  northern  and  middle  states, 
Pope  said,  "Would  afford  added  security  to  the  perpetuity  of  the  Union." 
Another  amendment  by  Pope,  provided  that  a  part  of  the  proceeds  of  the  pub- 
lic lands  should  be  given  to  the  support  of  public  schools. 

The  first  state  constitution  was  made  at  Kaskaskia  in  1818,  and  Shadrach 
Band  was  elected  the  first  governor  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  Dec.  3,  1818.  Con- 
gress formally  voted  the  state  into  the  Union  and  Dec.  4,  Illinois  was  repre- 
sented in  both  houses  of  Congress.  Thomas  and  Edwards  were  our  first  sen- 
ators. 

Several  determined  attempts  had  been  made  by  both  Indiana  and  Illinois 
to  have  Congress  repeal  that  part  of  the  ordinance  that  prohibited  slavery  in 
Illinois,  but  all  had  failed.  However,  the  Anti-slavery  Clause  of  the  ordi- 
nance was  flagrantly  circumvented.  Most  of  the  population  was  in  the  southern 
third  of  the  state  and  had  come  from  Kentucky,  Virginia  and  North  Carolina. 
They  brought  slaves  with  them  and  in  1820  there  were  about  1400  negroes  in 
the  state,  917  of  which  were  counted  as  slaves.  The  total  population  of  the 
state  was  fifty-five  thousand.  From  1822  to  1824,  there  was  fought  out  one  of 
the  most  bitter  and  hotly  contested  campaigns  known  in  Illinois  politics.  The 
proslavery  people  who  were  largely  a  majority  of  the  population,  were  fight- 
ing for  a  new  Constitutional  Convention.  The  Anti-slavery  people,  led  by 
Edward  Coles,  believed  that  the  real  object  was  to  change  the  constitution  so 
as  to  legalize  slavery.  The  proslavery  party  made  the  mistake  of  putting  two 
candidates  in  the  field  and  Coles  was  elected  governor.  The  legislature  was 
pro-slavery  by  about  two-thirds  majority.  A  resolution  to  submit  the  prop<~>si- 
tion  of  a  new  constitutional  convention  to  the  people  was  passed.  After  a  vig- 
orous campaign  the  resolution  was  defeated  at  the  polls  and  thus  was  ended 
the  attempts  to  make  Illinois  legally,  a  slave  state. 


6  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  defeat  of  Tecumseh  at  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe  and  the  close  of  the  war 
of  1812,  opened  the  way  to  the  settlement  of  northern  Illinois.  New  counties 
were  organized  to  the  north.  Peoria,  Ottawa,  Dixon  and  Chicago  were  estab- 
lished and  lead  mining  at  Galena  attracted  settlers  to  the  northwest  corner  of 
the  state.  Kellog's  Trail  was  blazed  through  Stephenson  County  to  Galena  and 
Black  Hawk's  War  was  fought  to  a  successful  issue  before  there  was  a  single 
permanent  settler  in  Stephenson  County. 

The  second  state  constitutional  convention  in  Illinois  was  convened  June 
7,  1847.  It  was  in  session  eighty-four  days.  The  new  constitution  was  adopted 
by  the  people  in  March,  1848,  and  went  into  effect  April  i,  1848.  One  im- 
portant measure  was  the  provision  for  a  two  mill  tax  to  be  kept  separate  to  pay 
the  state  debt.  The  state's  finances  were  in  a  bad  way  because  of  the  wild- 
cat, internal  improvements  of  1837. 

The  new  constitution  fixed  the  salary  of  the  governor  at  $1,500  a  year.  The 
secretary  of  state,  state  auditor  and  state  treasurer  at  $800;  the  supreme  court 
judges  at  $1,200  and  the  circuit  judges  at  $1,000.  From  1818  to  1848,  the 
governor's  salary  was  $1,000  and  the  other  state  officials  labored  for  $600. 
The  constitution  of  1848  placed  the  salary  of  members  of  the  State  Legislature 
at  $2  per  day  for  42  days  and  $i  per  day  thereafter,  with  10  cents  mileage  both 
ways. 

SUCKER    STATE. 

In  an  address  of  July  4,  1876,  Gen.  Smith  D.  Atkins  gave  two  explanations 
of  the  sobriquet,  sucker,  as  applied  to  the  people  of  Illinois,  as  follows :  "Many 
settlers  in  Illinois  came  from  Virginia,  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  They  were 
mostly  poor  people,  unable  to  own  slaves  and  many  of  them  were  in  senti- 
ment opposed  to  slavery,  and  were  seeking  a  new,  country  where  slavery  did 
not  exist.  Southern  Illinois  was  principally  settled  by  these  people,  who  with 
their  families  penetrated  the  wilderness,  with  all  their  household  goods  on  pack 
animals  and  themselves  upon  foot,  depending  on  their  trusty  rifles  and  fishing 
rods  for  sustenance  on  the  way.  They  were  emigrants  from  the  poorer  classes 
of  the  slave  states,  and  being  unable  to  own  slaves  came  to  Illinois  to  get  away 
from  slave  domination  of  their  wealthy  neighbors.  The  tobacco  plant  has  many 
sprouts  from  the  root  and  main  stem  which,  if  not  stripped  off,  suck  up  the 
nourishment  and  destroy  the  staple.  These  sprouts  are  called  suckers,  and  are 
as  carefully  stripped  from  the  main  plant  and  thrown  away  as  the  tobacco  worm 
itself.  These  poor  emigrants  from  the  slave  states  were  jeeringly  and  derisively 
called  "suckers,"  because  they  were  asserted  to  be  a  burden  on  the  people  of 
wealth ;  and  when  removed  to  Illinois,  they  were  supposed  to  have  stripped 
themselves  from  the  parent  stem,  and  gave  way  to  perish  in  the  wilderness 
like  the  suckers  stripped  from  the  tobacco  plant.  But  we  wear  the  title  proudly 
now,  for,  the  stone  rejected  by  the  builders  has  become  the  chief  stone  of  the 
corner,  and  in  intelligence,  morals,  material  prosperity  and  population,  Illinois 
has  far  outstripped  her  poor  old  mother,  Virginia,  and  surpassed  Kentucky 
and  Tennessee.  The  cognomen  was  misapplied.  Slavery  was  the  "sucker" 
from  which  they  fled  and  the  "subtle  corps  of  sappers  and  miners,"  that 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  7 

"sucked"  the  life  blood  out  of  the  states  from  which  the  early  settlers  of  Illi- 
nois emigrated. 

But  there  is  another  generally  accepted  sobriquet  of  "suckers,"  the  nick- 
name of  Illinoisans.  Lead  was  early  discovered  in  the  vicinity  of  Galena,  and 
in  1824  Col.  James  Johnson,  of  Kentucky,  had  gone  there  with  a  party  of 
miners  and  opened  a  lead  mine  about  a  mile  above  the  present  city  of  Galena. 
Others  followed  in  great  numbers.  The  southern  Illinoisans  ran  up  the  Mis- 
sissippi in  the  spring  season,  worked  the  lead  mines  during  the  warm  weather, 
and  ran  down  the  river  again  to  their  homes  in  the  fall,  thus  establishing  a 
similitude  between  their  migratory  habits  and  the  fishy  tribe  known  as  "suck- 
ers," that  run  up  a  stream  in  the  spring  and  down  the  stream  in  the  fall.  No 
matter  how  it  came  about,  the  term  "sucker"  will  stick  to  the  people  of  Illi- 
nois, while  wood  grows  and  water  runs. 


PHYSIOGRAPHY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY. 

In  this  book,  "The  Government  of  Illinois,"  Prof.  E.  B.  Green,  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois,  says,  "The  first  great  fact  in  the  experience  of  any  people  is 
the  land  on  which  they  live."  Certainly  what  people  do  is  determined  largely 
by  the  streams,  the  soil,  the  latitude  and  the  location  of  the  section  in  which 
they  live.  These  conditions,  in  a  large  part,  determine  whether  a  people's 
life  shall  be  devoted  wholly  to  agriculture,  wholly  to  manufacturing,  or  that 
it  shall  be  a  life  of  diversified  industries.  It  is  no  less  true,  that  people's  in- 
terests govern  mainly  their  ideas  and  their  ideals,  and  these  determine  their 
politics,  their  social,  moral  and  religious  principles.  It  is  evident  that  long 
before  a  section  of  the  country  is  occupied  by  the  first  civilized  men  much  of 
that  section's  history  has  been  written ;  written  in  the  soil ;  in  the  streams ;  in 
the  hills  and  valleys ;  in  the  forests  and  in  the  prairies ;  in  its  climatic  condi- 
tions, and  in  its  relation  to  present  or  future  natural  trade  centers  and  trans- 
portation lines. 

In  its  location  Stephenson  County  is  a  part  of  northern  Illinois.  The  great 
prairie  state  extends  from  latitude  37°  to  a  latitude  42°3O',  more  than  380 
miles.  Illinois  extends  farther  south  than  Richmond,  Virginia,  and  farther 
north  than  Boston,  Massachusetts.  The  state  has  an  area  of  more  than  56,000 
square  miles.  The  Wabash,  the  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi  Rivers  bind  the  state, 
geographically,  to  the  south.  Lake  Michigan,  in  a  like  manner,  ties  Illinois  to 
the  northern  section  of  the  nation.  The  first  explorers  came  by  way  of  the 
St.  Lawrence  and  the  Great  Lakes.  The  first  settlers  to  come  in  numbers,  came 
up  the  Mississippi  from  France  by  way  of  New  Orleans.  Illinois  geographi- 
cally and  politically,  has  been  regarded  as  the  keystone  state  of  the  arch  of 
the  greater  union  of  states.  It  has  been  said  that  the  nation  never  could  be 
divided  north  and  south  without  dividing  Illinois. 

The  southern  triangle  of  the  sate  between  the  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi  is 
about  three  hundred  feet  above  sea  level.  The  highest  point  in  the  state,  Charles 
Mound,  near  the 'northern  state  line  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  is  1,257  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  951  feet  above  low  water  of  the  Missis- 


8  .  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

sippi  at  Cairo.     The  northern  part  of  Stephenson  County  averages  about  800 
feet  above  sea  level.     Lake  Michigan  is  about  600  feet  above  sea  level. 

Illinois  is  the  lowest  of  the  North  Central  States.  Its  average  elevation  is 
about  600  feet  above  tide,  while  that  of  Indiana  is  700  feet;  Michigan,  900 
feet;  Wisconsin,  1,050  feet;  Iowa,  1,100  feet,  and  Missouri,  700  feet.  The  bot- 
tom of  Lake  Michigan  opposite  Racine,  Wisconsin,  it  at  sea  level. 

The  altitude  of  the  state  decreases  in  a  general  way  from  north  to  south. 
Four  northern  counties,  Jo  Daviess,  Stephenson,  Boone  and  McHenry  have 
points  which  rise  above  1,000  feet  above  sea  level.  The  lowest  points  are  in 
the  southernmost  part  of  the  state,  near  where  the  Ohio  flows  into  the  Missis- 
sippi, slightly  below  300  feet.  In  Illinois,  only  125  square  miles,  less  than  four 
townships,  have  an  altitude  above  1,000  feet.  Only  10,747  square  miles,  or  less 
than  one-fifth  of  the  state,  is  below  500  feet.  About  20,000  square  miles,  or 
one-third  of  the  state,  is  600  to  700  feet  above  tide.  The  average  thickness  of 
the  drift  in  Illinois  is  between  100  and  130  feet.  Deducting  the  drift,  the  aver- 
age altitude  of  the  state  is  about  525  feet  or  50  feet  below  the  surface  of  Lake 
Michigan. 

The  rock  surface  of  Illinois  is  marked  by  a  few  district  ridges.  The  most 
prominent  ridge  extends  from  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash  to  Grand  Tower.  This 
ridge  is  from  700  to  1047  feet  above  tide  and  5  to  10  miles  wide,  and  forms  the 
southern  limit  to  glacial  action.  The  drift  of  the  glacial  period  is  found  well 
up  on  the  northern  slope  but  its  crest  was  never  passed  by  the  ice  fields.  An- 
other limestone  ridge  extends  along  the  Mississippi  from  Grand  Tower  to  St. 
Louis.  This  belt  separates  the  river  valley  from  the  coal  fields.  It  is  5  to  i» 
miles  wide  and  650  to  750  feet  above  tide.  The  ridge  is  cut  across  by  two 
rivers,  the  Big  Muddy  and  the  Kaskaskia.  Another  ridge  extends  along  the  Mis- 
sissippi from  St.  Louis  to  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  River.  Still  another  lime- 
stone ridge  crosses  from  the  Rock  River  basin  into  Indiana.  At  the  Illinois- 
Wisconsin  line,  it  is  400  feet  above  the  level  of  Lake  Michigan,  while  at  the 
Indiana  line  it  is  only  100  to  200  feet  above  the  lake.  This  limestone  ridge  is 
cut  across  by  the  Fox,  the  Kankakee  and  the  Des  Plaines  Rivers.  Aside  from 
these  ridges,  the  preglacial  surface  of  Illinois  is  comparatively  level,  not  marked 
by  bold  relief  forms. 

v  Stephenson  County  is  one  of  the  northern  tier  of  Illinois  counties,  and  is 
the  second  county  east  of  the  Mississippi.  It  is  twenty-seven  miles  wide, 
east  to  west,  and  21 1/$  miles,  north  to  south.  It  contains  an  area  of  about  573 
square  miles  or  366,720  acres.  The  Illinois  Central  Railroad  surveys  show  that 
the  northern  part  of  the  county  averages  about  1,000  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
sea,  about  723  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Mississippi  at  Cairo  and  about  415 
feet  above  the  level  of  Lake  Michigan.  The  southern  part  of  the  county  aver- 
ages about  750  feet  above  sea  level,  showing  a  250  foot  slope  to  the  south  over 
the  general  surface  of  the  county. 

The  surface  of  Stephenson  county  is  made  up  of  gently  rolling  prairie  land, 
with  here  and  there  small  groves  and  belts  of  timber  along  the  streams.  Flow- 
ing across  the  surface  of  the  county  are  a  number  of  streams  which  afford 
abundant  natural  water  and  drainage  facilities.  The  Pecatonica  River  is  the 
largest  and  most  important  stream.  It  enters  the  county  from  Wisconsin  about 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  9 

seven  miles  from  its  northern  corner,  follows  in  a  direction  southeast  to  Free- 
port,  and  then  east  into  Winnebago  county  not  far  from  the  middle  of  the  east- 
ern boundary  line  of  Stephenson  County.  The  waters  of  the  Pecatonica  are 
muddy  and  turbulent,  following  a  wonderfully  crooked  and  winding  course.  In 
spite  of  a  difference  of  level  of  about  200  feet,  the  current  is  slow  and  tortu- 
ous, affording  but  little  water  power.  The  Indians  named  the  River  Peca- 
tonica. Just  what  the  word  "Pecatonica"  meant  to  the  Indians,  is  not  definitely 
known.  Some  claim  it  meant  "Muddy  water"  and  others  "Crooked  stream," 
either  meaning  indicating  unmistakable  characteristics  of  the  stream. 

The  Pecatonica  is  in  process  of  filling  and  scarcely  ever  runs  on  rock  bed. 
This  filling  up  is  the  cause  of  the  crookedness  and  consequent  cutting  off  of  the 
so-called  "oxbows"  of  which  the  island,  as  it  is  called  immediately  north  of 
town,  is  now  a  peninsula  and  will  shortly  cease  to  be  water-gi'rt.  Many  of  these 
''sloughs"  in  various  stages  of  filling  are  a  marked  feature  of  the  valleys  of  both 
the  Pecatonica  and  Yellow  Creek.  Immense  opportunity  for  the  reclamation  of 
some  of  the  best  soils  of  the  Pecatonica  valley  awaits  the  time  when  through 
mutual  cooperation  or  government  help  and  supervision  the  river  is  dyked  out 
of  these  so-called  sloughs  now  occupying  hundreds  of  acres  of  our  most  fertile 
soil.  Some  efforts  are  being  made  along  this  line,  particularly  at  Ridott,  but  lack  of 
cooperation  very  largely  increases  the  cost  and  efficiency  so  far.  Hundreds  of 
acres  of  corn  were  lost  last  year,  1909,  by  a  rise  less  than  a  foot  above  the  danger 
line. 

Yellow  Creek  enters  Stephenson  County  near  the  middle  of  the  western  boun- 
dary line,  flows  in  a  direction  a  little  south  of  east,  into  the  Pecatonica  about 
2}/2  miles  southeast  of  Freeport.  It  is  a  slow  flowing  stream,  its  waters  being 
marked  by  a  yellowish  color.  The  creek  cuts  its  way  through  the  Cincinnati 
Shales  and  this  soft  yellowish  rock  dissolving  and  mingling  with  the  waters 
gives  color  to  the  stream.  Abandoned  mills  along  its  banks  are  evidence  that 
its  few  water  powers,  while  they  served  for  a  time  to  turn  the  wheels  in  an 
earlier  day,  were  not  sufficient  in  power  to  compete  with  steam  and  have  long 
since  stood  idle. 

Cedar  and  Richland  Creeks  flow  across  the  northeast  part  of  the  county. 
They  unite  a  few  miles  from  the  Pecatonica,  between  Cedarville  and  Sciota 
Mills,  and  flow  into  it  a  few  miles  above  Freeport.  The  mills  still  standing  at 
Cedarville  and  at  Sciota,  one  time  made  good  use  of  the  light  water  power 
at  those  places. 

Rock  Run  enters  the  county  four  miles  from  its  northeast  corner.  Running 
southward  about  twelve  miles,  it  flows  into  the  Pecatonia  il/2  miles  west  of 
the  Winnebago  county  line.  It  has  but  few  very  light  water  powers. 

Cranes  Creek  is  a  small  stream  or  brook,  that  comes  into  Stephenson  County 
near  the  middle  of  its  southern  boundary  line  and  flows  into  Yellow  Creek, 
south  of  Freeport.  Silver  Creek  is  a  small  stream  that  flows  through  Silver 
Creek  township,  into  Yellow  Creek.  In  addition  to  those  above  mentioned,  there 
are  other  brooks  and  creeks,  and  taken  together  they  afford  Stephenson  county 
an  excellent  natural  water  and  drainage  system. 

Yellow  Creek  and  the  Pecatonica  form  a  line  east  to  west  across  the  county. 
In  a  large  measure,  these  streams  served  as  a  partial  barrier  against  the  prairie 


10  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

fires  that  swept  toward  the  north,  destroying  the  timbers.  South  of  these 
water  courses,  consequently,  there  is  little  woodland.  Along  Yellow  Creek' 
and  across  from  Mill  Grove  to  Eleroy  and  Sciota  were  groves  of  white  oak. 
There  were  white  oak  barrens  in  Loran  Township.  Along  Cedar  and  Rich- 
land  Creeks  were  belts  of  heavy  timber.  The  east  bank  of  the  Pecatonica  was 
skirted  by  heavy  growths  of  timber,  extending  north  into  the  township  of  Oneco. 

The  timber  of  Stephenson  County  consists,  for  the  most  part,  of  shell-bark 
and  common  hickory,  black  walnut,  sugar  maple,  white,  black  and  burr  oak, 
pignut,  butternut,  elm  and  poplar.  To  a  less  degree  are  found  the  ash,  the 
wild  cherry,  honey  locust,  basswood,  cottonwood  and  white  poplar.  Sumac 
and  hazel  are  found  in  the  groves  and,  occasionally,  red  cedar,  white  pine  and 
the  rarer  oaks. 

The  timber  lands  of  the  county  are  special  features,  the  general  character- 
istic of  the  county's  surface  being  a  rolling  prairie  land.  The  timber  sections 
have  been,  and  are  yet,  of  considerable  economic  value  and  by  adding  variety, 
give  the  county  a  beautiful  and  interesting  landscape.  Everywhere  in  the 
county  there  are  drives  through  the  country  districts  that  are  unrivaled  for 
the  beauty  of  the  groves  and  the  grandeur  of  rich  valleys  and  distant  wooded 
hillsides. 

GEOLOGY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY. 

The  most  casual  observer  cannot  fail  to  be  interested  in  the  geological  foun- 
dation upon  which  has  grown  the  civilization  of  his  time.  About  him  is  the 
rich  soil,  producing  great  fields  of  grain,  and  over  all  a  wonderful  natural 
drainage  system  of  creeks  and  rivers — over  365,000  acres  supporting  in  plenty 
over  40,000  people,  on  farms,  in  villages,  towns  and  the  city  of  Freeport.  Curi- 
osity alone  would  lead  the  mind  to  some  study  of  the  structure  of  the  earth  un- 
derlying the  surface  of  the  county. 

In  almost  every  community  in  Stephenson  County,  are  to  be  seen  the  out- 
cropping of  the  foundation  framework  of  stone.  On  the  country  drives,  along 
the  railroad  cuts,  along  the  creeks  and  rivers,  at  Eleroy  Hill  and  at  Waddams 
Grove,  are  seen  the  great  layers  of  limestone.  Here  and  there  over  the 
country  these  stony  ridges  come  to  the  surface.  On  them  the  soil  is  very  thin 
or  has  been  washed  entirely  away,  leaving  the  barren  rock.  But  the  depres- 
sions between  these  ridges  and  above  the  hills  are  filled  in  with  gravel,  sand, 
clays  and  soils.  Down  through  the  lower  levels  of  these  depressions  or  val- 
leys run  the  creeks  and  the  Pecatonica  River. 

While  the  soil  and  clay  and  gravel  is  thin  on  the  hills,  it  is  found  to  be  deeper 
and  deeper  in  the  valleys,  in  places  over  150  feet  in  depth.  All  over  the  county 
wells  have  been  dug  and  driven,  showing  everywhere  the  solid  rock  bed  under 
the  masses  of  gravel,  clays  and  soils.  Every  hillside  tells  its  story  of  how  the 
heavy  rainfall  washes  away  the  soil,  cuts  little  gulleys  through  to  brooks  and 
creeks  which  carry  much  of  the  soil  on  down  to  the  rivers  and  to  the  sea.  It 
is  not  difficult  to  imagine  all  that  sand  and  clay  and  soil  which  fills  the  valleys 
and  overlays  the  surface  of  Stephenson  County  washed  away.  There  would 
still  be  the  573  square  miles,  but  no  soil,  no  grass,  no  timbers,  no  fields  of  grain, 


Blue  Limestone  Cliff 


Galena  Limestone  Quarry,  Freeport 


Cincinnati  Limestone  Cliff  at  Crane's  Grove 


Niagara  Limestone  Quarry  nt   Watldams  Wolfs  Hock  Along  Cedar  Creek 


OF  THE 

OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  11 

no  villages  and  towns — just  573  square  miles  of  barren  rock  surface.  There 
would  still  be  the  hills,  the  crags,  the  ridges  and  barren  plains  and  valleys,  the 
massive,  strong  framework  of  the  county. 

The  hillsides  would  show  that  the  rock  foundation  is  in  layers,  placed  hori- 
zontally one  above  the  other,  just  as  they  are  now  observed  in  the  quarries,  along 
the  creeks  and  in  the  railroad  cuts.  The  geologist  would  find  different  kinds  of 
limestone  at  Waddams,  at  Eleroy,  at  Freeport  and  near  Dakota.  But  it  is 
all  in  layers  or  strata.  At  Waddams,  the  geologist  would  call  the  top  layers 
of  rock,  the  highest  in  the  county,  Niagara  limestone.  It  is  about  23  feet  deep 
and  found  nowhere  else  in  the  county.  At  Eleroy  and  along  Yellow  Creek  he 
would  call  the  layers,  Cincinnati  limestone  or  Cincinnati  Shales.  At  Waddams 
he  would  find  it  just  beneath  the  Niagara  layers.  Lower  than  the  Cincinnati 
limestone  layers,  the  geologist  would  find  that  part  of  the  county  not  covered 
by  Niagara  and  Cincinnati  layers,  to  be  covered  by  the  three  divisions  of  the 
Trenton  limestone.  First  of  these  is  the  Galena  limestone,  which  would  make 
up  three-quarters  of  the  surface  of  the  barren  rocky  surface  of  the  county. 
On  lower  levels,  the  Galena  disappears  and  the  blue  limestone  covers  the  sur- 
face. Still  lower  would  be  found,  the  Buff  limestone.  The  blue  limestone 
flow  would  be  found  around  Rock  Run ;  the  Buff  being  found  over  a  small 
area  around  Winslow.  If  all  the  gravel,  sands,  clays  and  soils  were  removed, 
the  rock  floor  of  the  county  would  be  made  up  of  these  five  kinds  of  limestone 
layers :  Niagara,  Cincinnati,  Galena,  Blue  and  Buff. 

The  records  from  an  oil  well  bored  to  a  depth  of  608  feet  near  Cedarville 
in  1865,  give  an  idea  of  the  rock  still  deeper  than  the  Buff  limestone.  After 
passing  through  75  feet  of  Galena  limestone,  10  feet  of  a  gray  limestone  and 
some  shales,  the  well  passed  through  207  feet  of  a  soft,  white  sandstone  known 
as  St.  Peter's  sandstone.  The  bottom  of  St.  Peter's  sandstone  is  375  feet  be- 
low the  surface  at  Cedarville.  Below  that,  there  are  no  definite  records  of  the 
rocks  under  Stephenson  County. 

What  is  true  in  Stephenson  County  is  true  in  a  certain  sense  of  every 
county  in  the  state;  for  every  state  in  the  nation;  and  for  the  entire  earth.  If 
all  the  soil,  sand,  clays,  gravel  and  water  were  removed  from  the  earth,  it 
would  be  a  great  globe  of  barren  rock ;  mountains,  valleys,  elevated  plains  and 
depressions.  There  would  be  the  layers  of  limestones  and  sandstones.  The 
geology  of  Stephenson  County  is  then  seen  to  be  a  part  of  the  general  geology 
of  the  earth.  The  geologists  have  studied  the  rock  layers  of  all  parts 
of  the  earth.  They  tell  of  the  Potsdam  sandstone  still  below  the  St.  Peter's 
sandstone,  and  yet  lower  the  Silurian  and  the  Cambrian  rocks  of  great  thick- 
ness. All  these  layers,  from  the  Niagara  down  to  and  including  the  Cambrian 
rocks,  have  certain  common  characteristics.  First,  they  are  arranged  in  lay- 
ers or  strata;  second,  they  all  contain  the  remains  of  animal  life,  or  the  evi- 
dences of  animal  life,  fossils.  Below  the  Cambrian  rock  is  the  great  mass  of 
rock,  not  in  layers  or  stratified  form  and  not  bearing  evidences  of  animal  life, 
called  Archaean  or  "Ancient"  rock.  Beginning  with  this  Archaean  rock,  the 
geologists  have  made  a  classification  of  all  the  layers  of  rock  above  it.  By 
studying  this  table  or  classification,  the  relation  of  Stephenson  County  geology 
to  general  geology  can  be  understood. 


12 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


GENERAL  GEOLOGY  CHART. 


Quaternary 

Drift,  etc. 

SOIL. 

Loess,     clays,     sand, 
gravel,  etc. 

11 

Tertiary 

Limestone 

10 

Cretaceous 

Chalk 
Limestone 
Upper  Greensand 

9 

Jurassic 

Oolytlc 

Bedford 
Limestone 

8 

Upper  Triassic 
Middle  Triassic 
Lower  Triassic 

Triassic 

Limestones 
Limestones 
Sandstone 

7 

Carboniferous 

Carboniferous 

Coal  Layer 
Shale 
Coal  Layer 
Limestone 
Coal  Layer 
Limestone 

6 

Sub-Carboniferous 

Devonian 

Upper 
Middle 
Lower 

Catskill 
Portage 
Hamilton 
Oriskany 

5 

Upper  Silurian 

Niagara 

Lower  Helderberg 
Niagara  Limestone 
Cincinnati  Limestone 

4 

Lower  Silurian 

Trenton  Limestones 

Galena  Limestone 
Blue  Limestone 
Buff  Limestone 
St.  Peter's  Sandstone 
Calclferous 

3 

Cambrian 

Stratified  Sandstones 

Potsdam 
Sandstone 
Acadian 
Georgian 

2 

Archaean 

Igneous,   Unstratiflec 
Rock 

Archaean 

1 

HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


13 


STEPHENSON  COUNTY  GEOLOGICAL  CHART. 


Quaternary 

Drift 

SOIL. 

Clays,   sands,  gravel, 
etc. 

11 
(5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  and  10 
not  found.) 

Upper  Silurian 

Niagara 

Niagara  Limestone 
Cincinnati  Limestone 

4 

Lower  Silurian 

Trenton  Rock 

Galena  Limestone 
Blue  Limestone 
Buff  Limestone 

3 

Cambrian 

Stratified  Sandstones 

Potsdam  Sandstone 
Arcadian 
Georgian 

2 

Archaean 

Igneous,  Unstratifled 
Rock 

1 

SKETCH. 

So  we  may  begin  with  the  Niagara  limestone  on  the  highest  point  at  Wad- 
dams  and  go  down  through  the  earth,  strata  after  strata,  layer  after  layer, 
of  limestone,  shale,  and  sandstone  till  we  come  to  the  original  rock,  the  Archaean 
or  Precambrian  rock  of  the  lifeless  or  Azoic  age.  The  unstratified,  lifeless, 
original  rock  seems  to  be  the  foundation  on  which  the  earth's  crust  is  built  up, 
layer  after  layer. 

We  may  imagine  the  earth  at  a  time  when  its  surface  was  everywhere  this 
barren,  unstratified  mass  of  irregular  rock.  It  was  a  rough,  uneven  surface  cov- 
ered by  the  seas  and  swept  by  powerful  winds.  The  rocks  were  broken  and 
pulverized  into  sands  by  the  forces  of  nature.  The  sands  settled  into  layers, 
became  hardened  and  are  called  sandstones.  In  these  early  layers  of  sandstone 
are  found  the  forms  or  impressions  of  simple  animal  life,  corals,  worms,  etc., 
but  no  back-boned  animals.  It  required  ages  and  ages  for  these  first  layers  of 
sandstone  to  be  formed.  These  layers,  or  groups  of  layers,  are  called  Cambrian 
and  Silurian  by  the  geologists. 

Sandstone  is  found  in  greater  abundance  on  land  than  any  other  rocks. 
Wind  and  water  wash  the  sand  into  great  layers  or  strata.  These  layers  harden 
and  new  layers  are  formed  above  them.  The  weight  of  a  number  of  layers 
causes  a  great  pressure  which  often  presses  the  layers  of  sand  into  solid  rock. 

Mud  is  made  up  of  a  material  finer  than  sand.  It  is  carried  long  distances 
in  water  and  covers  the  bottoms  of  seas.  A  sea  floor  may  be  covered  several 
inches  thick.  It  is  subject  to  pressure  by  layers  above  and  becomes  layers  of 
clay,  shale  or  slate. 

Limestone  layers  are  made  up  of  rock  containing  lime.  If  we  look  closely 
at  any  kind  of  limestone  rock,  we  find  it  made  up  of  fine  pieces  and  occasion- 
ally small  shells  and  fragments  of  shells.  The  sea  contains  many  small  ani- 
mals with  lime  shells.  These  shells  fall  like  a  shower  to  the  bottom  of  the 
seas.  After  ages  and  ages  a  great  layer  of  shells  would  be  found  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  sea.  Other  layers  may  be  washed  over  this  and  by  pressure  the 


14  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

lime  and  clay  is  made  into  a  hard  compact  layer  of  limestone.  The  corals 
are  great  limestone  builders.  These,  together  with  myriads  of  shell  animals 
have  been  making  limestone  for  ages  and  ages.  In  fact,  the  limestones  form 
about  one-sixth  of  the  surface  of  the  earth.  Thus  we  see  that  animal  life  has 
been  a  great  factor  in  building  up  the  earth's  crust.  Occasionally  there  is 
found  an  almost  perfect  shell.  Often  a  cast  of  a  shell  will  be  found.  Ordinarily 
the  shells  and  skeletons  of  dead  animals  decay  and  mingle  with  the  dust  and 
soil.  Leaves  and  wood,  bark,  skins  of  animals,  likewise,  soon  decay  and  are 
lost  in  the  great  mass  of  material  that  makes  up  the  earth's  crust.  But  under 
certain  conditions,  both  vegetable  and  animal  life  may  be  preserved.  A  tree 
trunk  falling  into  a  pond  and  sinking  to  the  bottom  only  partly  decays.  It 
turns  black  and  is  often  preserved  for  thousands  of  years.  In  the  swamps 
may  be  found  preserved  also  the  bones  of  animals. 

SIMPLE   CHARACTER  OF   STEPHENSON   COUNTY    GEOLOGY. 

Comparing  the  geological  formations  of  Stephenson  County  with  the  gen- 
eral geology  chart,  the  simple  character  of  the  county's  strata  will  be  readily 
observed.  There  are  just  five  divisions  to  notice.  Spread  over  the  surface  of 
the  county,  we  find  the  Quaternary  deposits,  the  clays,  sands,  gravels,  silt, 
loess,  alluvium,  surface  soils,  etc.  The  average  depth  of  this  superficial  deposit 
is  32  1/3  feet,  according  to  Mr.  Hershey.  Below  the  Quaternary  deposits,  are 
to  be  found  in  geological  order : 

Feet. 

1.  The  Niagara  limestone 23 

2.  The  Cincinnati  limestone 40 

3.  The  Galena  limestone 75 

4.  The  Blue  limestone 38 

5.  The  Buff  limestone 40 

These  thicknesses  are  only  estimates.  All  of  the  above  limestone  outcrop  in 
some  part  of  the  county.  Below  the  Buff  limestone  is  the  St.  Peter's  sand- 
stone which  outcrops  near  Winslow  and  comes  almost  to  the  surface  at  Orange- 
ville.  The  St.  Peter's  layer  of  sandstone  is  more  than  two  hundred  feet  in  depth. 
A  clear  idea  of  the  geological  framework  of  the  county  may  be  gained  from 
the  following  vertical  section,  made  from  a  study  of  the  outcroppings  and  deep 
well  borings : 

Feet. 

1.  Surface  deposits   (Inaternary)  soil,  clays,  silts,  sand, 

gravel,  alluvium,  loess,  etc.,  average 321-3 

2.  Niagara   limestone    23 

3.  Cincinnati   limestone    40 

4.  Galena  limestone    75 

5.  Blue  limestone    38 

6.  Buff  limestone 40 

7.  St.  Peter's  sandstone 207 

8.  Red  sandstone ' 109 

9.  Yellow  sand    3 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  15 

10.  Quicksand    4 

1 1 .  Slate  sand   7 

12.  Slaty  snuff  colored  rocks 19 

13.  Sharp  slate  colored  sand 12 

14.  Dark  colored  stone 32 

15.  Bright  red  stone,  oily, 22 

1 6.  Dark  reddish  slate,  with  impy rites 22 

The  above  vertical  section  follows  the  outcroppings  to  the  St.  Peter's  sand- 
stone, and  the  remainder  is  taken  from  records  of  the  borings  of  the  rocky 
well  near  Cedarville.  Number  16  is  586  to  608  feet  below  the  surface.  The 
last  100  feet,  no  doubt,  belongs  to  the  Potsdam  sandstones. 

Comparing  this  vertical  section  with  the  general  geology  chart,  we  find  this 
county  low  down  in  the  scale  of  geological  formations.  Below  the  Potsdam 
sandstones  are  the  Cambrian  rock  layers  and  just  below  these,  the  Archaean 
rocks,  known  as  Huronian  or  Laurentian.  It  will  also  be  observed  that  the 
Carboniferous  or  coal  bearing  strata  are  above  the  Niagara  in  general  geology 
and  therefore  not  to  be  found  in  Stephenson  County. 

THE    WORK    OF    THE    ICE    PERIOD. 

How  came  this  32  feet  of  clays,  gravels,  soils,  etc.  to  be  spread  over  the 
limestones  of  Stephenson  County.  That  interesting  question  has  been  answered 
by  the  geologists.  At  an  early  period  in  the  earth's  history,  great  ice  fields 
spread  over  the  northern  part  of  North  America.  Snows  and  ice  piled  up  for 
thousands  of  feet  about  Hudson  Bay,  moved  southward  in  powerful  ice  fields 
as  far  as  the  plateau  that  runs  from  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash  to  the  Grand 
Tower.  From  the  highlands  east  of  Hudson  Bay  the  great  sheet  of  ice  swept 
towards  the  southwest,  across  the  Great  Lakes  and  over  Illinois.  The  rock 
surface  of  the  limestones,  sandstones  and  shales  had  ben  crumbled  and  pul- 
verized by  freezing  and  thawing  and  this  debris  from  the  north  was  carried  by 
the  ice  floes  and  spread  out  or  piled  up  in  Illinois.  This  glacial  action  was  so 
powerful  that  it  cut  through  and  tore  into  fragments  the  great  upper  layers  of 
limestone.  Geologists  believe  that  over  400  feet  of  stratified  rock  was  removed 
in  this  way  from  Wisconsin.  The  Niagara  limestone  which  is  now  found  only 
on  the  top  of  a  few  high  ridges  as  at  Waddams,  once  covered  almost  the  whole 
of  northwestern  Illinois  and  Wisconsin.  This  massive  limestone  was  worn 
away,  carried  southward  and  deposited  in  the  form  of  boulders,  clays,  sand 
and  gravel,  over  the  surface  regions  to  the  south.  Great  streams  of  water  fol- 
lowed up  the  receding  ice  fields  and  by  the  power  of  erosion,  kept  up  the  work 
of  denudation,  sweeping  out  old  preglacial  channels  and  cutting  new  ones, 
sometimes  through  solid  rock.  The  old  river  valleys  were  wide  and  as  they 
narrowed  with  the  ages,  they  built  up  the  great  rich,  alluvial  plains  that  now 
are  the  richest  farming  lands  of  this  county.  Then  later  the  loess,  the  fine, 
gray,  sandy  sediment  was  blown  into  the  bluffs.  The  ice  field  was  deeper 
and  carried  and  deposited  deeper  drift  east  and  south  of  this  county.  The  mar- 
gin is  found  over  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  most  of  which  county  was  not  af- 
fected by  glacial  action.  Along  the  margin,  as  about  Waddams,  are  to  be 


16  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

found  great  boulders  carried  to  the  shore  and  deposited.  Stephenson  County, 
being  near  the  shore  of  the  ice  field,  was  subject  to  more  uneven  action  of  the 
flow,  and  consequently  is  a  varied,  rolling  section,  with  many  knolls,  ridges  and 
hills  alternating  with  stretches  of  level  plains. 

The  enormous  transporting  power  of  an  ice  sheet  is  well  known.  It  has 
broken  up  the  solid  rocks,  reduced  them  to  boulders  and  carried  and  distributed 
them  over  Illinois.  The  markings,  or  striation,  on  the  boulders  and  the  scratch- 
ing and  polishing  of  the  hard  rock  surfaces  are  explained  by  the  floating  ice 
with  imbedded  fragments  of  harder  material,  that  cut  its  way  through  and  over 
whatever  it  came  in  contact  with. 

Dana  and  other  geologists  estimate  that  the  glacial  ice  sheets  were  10,000 
feet  deep  in  Canada,  and  several  thousand  feet  deep  as  they  plowed  across 
Wisconsin  and  Illinois,  tearing  away  over  400  feet  of  stratified  limestone.  It 
is  almost  impossible  to  conceive  of  the  power  of  such  a  mass  of  moving  ice  and 
the  time  required  to  do  its  work. 

The  order  of  geological  movements  in  Stephenson  County,  and  the  northern 
part  of  the  United  States  as  well,  are  believed  to  be  as  follows :  First,  the  grad- 
ual elevation  of  the  surface  above  the  ocean  level  at  the  close  of  the  Carbon- 
iferous period,  followed  by  extensive  denudation  of  limestones  and  sandstones, 
and  the  cutting  of  extensive  valleys.  Next,  in  order,  was  the  partial  filling  of 
the  valleys  with  clay,  sand  and  gravel,  and  the  formation  of  the  lowest  bed 
of  ancient  soil  beneath  the  boulder  clays.  This  was  followed  by  a  partial  sub-  , 
mergence  of  the  surface  and  the  accumulation  of  the  sands,  clays,  etc.,  which 
are  found  below  the  boulder  clays.  The  next  period  was  a  period  of  elevation 
of  the  surface,  during  which  were  laid  down  the  marshy  swamp  soil.  Next, 
follows  a  second  submergence,  and  the  ice  sheets  and  water  currents  formed 
the  boulder  clays.  After  this,  there  was  another  elevation  and  loess  was 
formed.  Then  came  the  present  order  of  things,  the  rivers,  alluvial  deposits,  etc. 

SUPERFICIAL  DEPOSITS. 

Spread  over  the  limestone  stratified  rocks  of  Stephenson  County  is  the 
drift  or  Quaternary  deposits,  varying  in  depth  from  a  thin  layer  of  dust  to 
over  100  feet,  averaging,  over  the  573  square  miles  of  the  county,  a  depth  pi 
32  1-3  feet.  This  drift,  composed  of  clays,  sands,  gravel,  boulders,  alluvium, 
loess,  surface  soils,  etc.,  is  valuable  in  two  ways.  First,  these  deposits  have 
a  great  economic  value  because  they  determine  the  character  and  the  pro- 
ductive capacity  of  the  soil  upon  which  all  other  industries  are  largely  de- 
pendent. Mainly,  soil  consists  of  pulverized  rock,  mingled  with  such  organic 
substances  as  result  from  the  growth  and  decay  of  animal  and  vegetable  or- 
ganisms. The  drift,  being  made  up  of  disintegrated  limestones,  sandstones, 
shales,  etc.,  contains  the  necessary  mineral  ingredients  to  make  up  a  soil  of 
great  fertility. 

Secondly,  the  drift  deposits  are  the  main  source  of  our  water  supply  and  of 
sand,  clay  and  gravel.  Every  man  who  builds  a  road,  digs  a  ditch  or  cellar, 
drives  a  well  or  tills  the  soil,  must  deal  with  the  drift  deposits,  and  must  be  in- 
terested in  knowing  its  possibilities  and  its  origin. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


17 


The  573  square  miles  of  drift  in  Stephenson  County  with  an  average  depth 
of  32  1-3  feet  is  the  fact  of  first  importance  in  the  economic  and  political  his- 
tory of  the  county.  Rivers,  railroad  cuts  and  wells  show  this  drift  to  be  made 
up  of  several  different  masses.  According  to  Hershey,  fourteen  feet  of  it 
is  silt  (Silveria),  a  finely  pulverized  sediment  carried  in  suspension  in  water 
and  deposited  on  the  bottom  of  lakes  of  the  ice  age.  Next,  is  the  boulder  clays, 
usually  of  small  size,  partly  derived  from  bed  rock  of  adjacent  region  and 
partly  transported  from  distant  localities.  The  boulder  clays  are  frequently 
underlaid  by  a  black  peaty  soil,  filled  occasionally  with  twigs  and  branches  and 
sometimes  with  trunks  of  trees  in  a  good  state  of  preservation. 

Another  part  of  the  drift  is  the  loess  deposits.  This  is  a  buff  or  grayish 
marly  sand,  usually  capping  river  bluffs  and  terraces.  Sometimes  it  is  a  brown 
silicious  clay.  Alluvial  deposits  are  the  deposits  of  fine  mud  formed  by  run- 
ning water.  They  consist  mainly  of  sand  and  fine  silicious  sediment.  It  forms 
the  soil  of  river  valleys.  Along  with  the  boulder  clays  are  great  beds  and 
ridges  of  sand  or  gravel.  On  the  surface  is  the  soil,  containing  a  large  pro- 
portion of  decayed  animal  and  plant  life. 

Vertical  sections  of  drift  would  vary  with  the  locality.  The  following 
vertical  section  will  give  a  fair  idea  of  the  drift  material: 

Feet. 

Black  soil   i  to  2 

Yellow  fine-grained   clay 13 

Gravel     2 

Silt    6 

Boulder  clays    15 

Blue  clay    , 3 

Sand    ii 

Clay     5 

A  table  by  Leverett,  showing  distribution  by  depths,  of  glacial  drift  in  Illinois 
follows : 

Depth  of    Depth  if  distrib- 

„  drift,     uted  over  entire 

Feet.         state.    Feet. 
300  23.50 

200  41.35 

150  10.04 

36-32 
n-57 


Area, 
Area, 
Area, 
Area, 
Area, 
Area, 


square 
square 
square 
square 
square 
square 


miles 4,160 

miles 10,975 

miles 3,550 

miles 19,275 

miles 8,190 

miles 6,924 


100 

75 
50 


6.52 


Total   53,074 


129.30 


The  average  thickness  of  drift  in  Illinois,  including  everything  which  overlies 
the  rock,  including  glacial  drift,  residuary  clay,  loess  and  alluvium,  must  be  be- 
tween one  hundred  and  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet,  probably  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifteen  feet. 


18  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

As  a  result  of  1,687  borings,  the  following  proportion  of  drift  materials  has 

been  approximated :  

Tills,   including  all  glacial   clays 69.38% 

Sand,  gravel  and  alluvium 25.25% 

Loess  and  associated  silts 4.25% 

Buried  soil,  residuary  clay,  etc 1.12% 


Total     100% 

THE    PECATONICA    ESKER    SYSTEM. 

An  esker  system  is  a  series  of  gravelly  ridges.  They  are  made  up  largely 
of  coarse  gravel,  well  rounded.  It  contains  also  beds  of  fine  gravel  and  sand. 

Several  gravelly  belts  or  eskers  in  Stephenson  County  have  been  studied  in 
detail  by  Mr.  Oscar  Hershey,  and  printed  in  the  American  Geologist,  Vol.  XIX, 
1897,  PP-  I97~2O9,  ar>d  237-253.  "The  main  belt  follows  the  Pecatonica  val- 
ley from  eastern  Stephenson  County  westward  to  the  mouth  of  Yellow  Creek 
about  three  miles  east  of  Freeport ;  thence  it  passes  up  the  south  side  of  Yellow 
Creek  to  the  village  of  Bolton.  The  length  of  this  belt  is  over  20  miles  and  the 
ridges  are  in  places  scattered  over  a  width  of  two  or  three  miles.  Sometimes 
there  are  two  and  sometimes  three  parallel  ridges,  traceable  for  a  few  miles. 
The  belt  is  more  extensive  than  usual  at  the  mouth  of  Yellow  Creek  and  three 
miles  farther  west  and  at  the  western  end  at  Bolton."  Mr.  Hershey  believes 
the  gravelly  ridges  are  the  boundary  lines  of  glacial  fields.  At  the  western  end, 
the  ridges  are  75  to  100  feet  above  the  surrounding  plain.  Beyond  this  there 
was,  no  doubt,  a  lake. 

Coarse  gravel  and  cobble  were  found  in  the  upper  portion  of  many  of  the 
ridges.  Some  of  them  are  composed  largely  of  sand  and  fine  gravel.  The  peb- 
bles are  chiefly  limestone  and  are  largely  derived  from  local  rocks. 

Another  gravelly  belt,  called  the  Cedarville  belt,  begins  il/2  miles  east  of  Rock 
City,  and  extends  through  Cedarville  and  Damascus  to  a  point  3  miles  north- 
east of  Lena.  Southeast  of  Cedarville  the  sharp  knolls  rise  80  to  90  feet  in 
height.  These  ridges  have  so  obstructed  the  old  valley  of  Cedar  Creek  that 
the  stream  has  been  compelled  to  cut  a  gorge  on  the  north  side  of  the  village. 
The  well  defined  part  of  this  belt  is  about  12  miles  in  length.  '  It  is  prominent 
also  near  the  junction  of  Cedar  and  Richland  Creeks,  two  miles  west  of  Cedar- 
ville. 

The  Orangeville  belt  is  found  best  developed  south  of  Orangeville  and  just 
north  of  Winslow.  At  Winslow  there  is  a  very  prominent  knoll  and  a  number 
of  parallel  ridges. 

Geologists  believe  that  these  gravelly  ridges,  or  eskers,  were  formed  dur- 
ing a  general  recession  of  a  nearly  stagnant  sheet  of  ice.  The  gravelly  ridges 
would  also  indicate  that  the  drainage  from  the  ice  sheet  was  somewhat  vigor- 
ous. 

TRANSPORTED    ROCK    LEDGES. 

Leverett  and  Hershey  report  several  remarkable  instances  of  transporta- 
tion of  limestone  ledges  in  Stephenson  County.  In  some  cases,  they  occupy 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  19 

an  area  of  several  acres.  They  have  been  moved  westward  from  the  crest 
of  rock  ridges  without  destroying  their  stratification.  Hershey  believes  they 
were  swept  westward  by  the  powerful  action  of  great  glacial  ice  sheets.  He  is 
confident  they  are  not  the  result  of  landslides.  He  also  found  places  where 
the  limestone  strata  were  folded  10  to  30  degrees  by  force  of  glacial  action. 

These  transported  masses  are  numerous  in  Dakota  Township,  Stephenson 
County.  Within  four  miles  west  and  southwest  of  the  village  of  Dakota,  Mr. 
Hershey  found  at  least  30  distinct,  transported  masses.  They  are  usually  coni- 
cal or  dome  shaped  masses  a  few  rods  in  diameter,  and  appeared  as  though 
embossed  on  the  top  and  slope  of  high  rock  ridges.  The  largest  transported 
masses  are  two  or  three  miles  west  of  Dakota  and  one  of  them,  about  75  feet 
high,  obstructs  the  valley  in  which  it  stands.  The  smaller  one,  about  30  feet 
high,  is  composed  of  Galena  limestone  with  strata  dipping  steeply  in  every 
direction  from  the  center  and  top.  Such  masses  are  scattered  widely  over  Steph- 
enson County,  east  of  the  meridian  of  Freeport. 

Kettle  holes  are  bowl  shaped  depressions,  usually  30  to  50  feet  deep  and 
100  to  500  feet  in  diameter.  Geologists  explain  that  the  kettle  hole  was  caused 
by  a  huge  mass  of  ice  that  became  detached  during  the  melting  of  the  ice  sheets. 
The  ice  sheets  piled  drifts  about  it,  after  which  the  ice  mass  melted  away  and 
left  the  kettle  hole. 

In  his  work  in  Stephenson  ,  County,  Hershey  found  in  the  drift  large  quan- 
tites  of  silt,  which  he  called  Silveria  Silt.  This  silt,  it  seems,  was  deposited 
by  lakes  formed  in  glacial  times  in  the  valleys.  It  is  found  in  thick  beds,  strati- 
fied and  of  a  nearly  uniformly  dark  blueish-gray  color,  with  bands  often  sev- 
eral feet  in  thickness  which  are  of  a  lighter  tint.  The  upper  portion  Is  a  false 
bedded,  calcareous  and  ferruginous,  light  brown  fine  sand  and  silt,  and  ap- 
pears to  represent  the  shore  deposits  of  an  ancient  lake  in  which  this  forma- 
tion was  apparently  laid  down.  Wells  show  that  this  silt  is  found  in  nearly  all 
the  valleys  of  the  Pecatonica  drainage  basin.  This  silt  deposit  has  considerable 
bulk  in  Stephenson  County.  In  a  well,  three  miles  southwest  of  Freeport,  the 
silt  was  penetrated  a  depth  of  150  feet  without  reaching  the  botton.  This 
well  is  in  the  old  valley  of  Yellow  Creek. 

Mr.  Hershey  estimates  that  this  silt  would  make  a  uniform  layer  of  four- 
teen foot  depth  if  spread  out  uniformly  over  the  county.  Since  the  average 
depth  of  all  the  superficial  deposits  of  the  county  is  32  1-3  feet,  it  is  seen  at 
once  that  the  Silveria  silt  is  about  one-half  the  total  drift  material.  Anyone 
who  has  observed  how  slowly  silt  forms  in  layers  on  the  bottom  of  ponds, 
can  get  some  idea  of  the  immensity  of  time  required  to  build  up  layers  of  the 
deposit  or  sediment  to  a  depth  of  50  to  100  feet. 

Several  shells  and  pieces  of  partly  decayed  wood  have  been  found  in  the 
silt.  Hershey  found  shells  in  the  following  proportion:  Succinea  Avara  50; 
Pupa  Olandi  5  ;  Pyramidula  Striatella  2.  These  were  identified  by  Dr.  W.  H. 
Dall  of  the  United  States  Geological  Survey. 

STEPHENSON    COUNTY    Afc 


The  direction  of  valleys  and  streams  may  be  determined  by  preglacial  con- 
ditions, glacial  conditions,  or  both.     Mr.  Hershey  says  that  that  part  of  Illi- 


20  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

nois,  between  the  Rock  River  and  the  border  of  the  driftless  area  of  Jo  Daviess 
County,  the  drift  is  so  thin  that  the  streams  follow  in  large  part  the  preglacial 
lines.  Yet,  there  are  a  large  number  of  deflections  caused  by  the  glaciers  and 
the  drift  period.  In  some  cases,  the  streams  have  been  cut  off  and  thrown 
across  a  divide  into  another  preglacial  valley.  These  streams  were  forced  to 
cut  new  courses  through  rock  ledges,  forming  narrow  channels  which,  because 
of  their  high  rock  cliffs  on  their  border,  are  called  gorges. 

Mr.  Hershey  lists  the  following  gorges  in  Stephenson  County:  One  mile 
north  of  Freeport  is  a  gorge  of  a  small  stream.  The  length  of  the  cut  is  950 
feet;  depth,  30  feet;  breadth,  140  feet;  cubic  yards  removed,  140,000.  An- 
other^  five  miles  northwest  of  Freeport,  is  850  feet  long,  240  feet  wide,  44  feet 
deep  and  displaces  330,000  cubic  yards.  Three  miles  south  of  Freeport  is  a 
2,050  foot  gorge,  235  feet  wide,  36  feet  deep,  having  removed  640,000  cubic 
yards.  Three  miles  west  of  Freeport  is  a  gorge  950  feet  long,  100  feet  wide, 
25  feet  deep,  with  a  displacement  of  88,000  cubic  yards.  Four  miles  west  of 
Freeport  is  another  1,100  feet  in  length,  165  feet  in  breadth  and  30  feet  deep, 
with  cubic  contents  of  202,000  cubic  yards.  Hershey  says  the  Cedarville  gorge 
is  the  best  illustration  in  Stephenson  County.  Just  north  of  Cedarville,  Cedar 
Creek  was  forced  out  of  its  preglacial  valley  which  runs  around  to  the  south, 
by  the  sand  ridges  of  the  glacial  era  and  was  forced  to  cut  through  the  Galena 
limestone,  a  gorge  3,250  feet  in  length,  160  feet  broad,  57  feet  deep,  having 
cut  out  and  removed  1,100,000  cubic  yards  of  limestone.  Mr.  Hershey  be- 
lieves that  these  gorges  were  cut  for  the  most  part  prior  to  the  deposition  of 
the  loess  of  the  time  of  the  lowan  drift  sheet.  Near  Freeport,  a  gorge  cut  out 
was  later* abandoned  by  the  stream  because  of  the  large  amount  of  loess  fill- 
ing in,  and  the  stream  took  a  new  course. 

These  gorges  in  Stephenson  County  cut  through  limestone  by  small  streams, 
afford  an  excellent  opportunity  for  the  study  of  the  tremendous  power  of  ero- 
sion. 

The  power  of  erosion  by  a  stream  of  water  or  a  sea  is  very  great.  One  au- 
thority states  that  Niagara  Falls  has  cut  its  way  back  from  Queenstown,  seven 
miles,  at  the  rate  of  about  one  foot  a  year.  The  falls  of  St.  Anthony  cut  back 
five  feet  per  annum.  At  Cape  May,  the  coast  is  worn  back  at  the  rate  of  nine 
feet  per  year.  The  Church  of  Reculver,  on  the  coast  of  Kent  near  the  mouth 
of  the  Thames,  stood  at  the  time  of  Henry  VIII,  one  mile  inland.  In  1804,  a 
portion  of  the  church  yard  fell  into  the  sea  and  the  church  was  abandoned. 
The  Appalachian  Mountains  have  lost  as  much  by  weathering  as  now  remains. 

Chamberlain  and  Leverett  agree  that  in  an  early  part  of  the  glacial  period, 
the  Rock  River  flowed  into  the  Illinois  River.  Then  came  the  kettle  Moraine, 
which  filled  up  part  of  its  channel  and  the  river  set  to  work  to  cut  its  way  to 
the  Mississippi. 

SOIL. 

Soil  is  that  part  of  the  solid  surface  of  the  earth  which  supports  plant  life. 
The  basis  of  soil  is  fragments  of  pulverized  rock,  to  which  are  added  the 
remains  of  plants  and  animals  (organic  matter)  and  water.  The  quality  of 
any  soil  may  be  determined  by  the  kinds  of  rock  from  which  it  is  produced  and 


Scene  on  Cedar  Creek 


Pecatonira  River,  Freeport 


Globe  Park 


Globe  Park 


i  ~>  "•  V 
flttWVi 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  21 

the  amount  of  water  and  organic  matter  it  contains.  Plants  affect  the  soil  in 
three  ways.  The  roots  exert  a  mechanical  force  breaking  up  the  soil.  The 
roots  also  have  a  chemical  action,  taking  out  of  the  soil  certain  elements,  thus 
weakening  it.  The  plant  at  last  dies  and  adds  something  to  the  soil.  Animals 
add  to  the  soil  by  their  excrements  and  by  the  decay  of  their  bodies..  Burrow- 
ing animals  aid  in  weathering  and  transportation.  Earth  worms  eat  earth  which 
when  excreted  contains  more  or  less  of  organic  matter  and  aids  in  preparing 
the  earth  for  agriculture.  Decaying  organic  matter  forms  mold  and  is  called 
humus.  The  humus  gives  "heart"  or  "life"  to  soil,  as  its  body  is  furnished  by 
pulverized  rock,  or  the  mineral  elements.  Humus  provides  plant  food  and  also 
improves  the  physical  condition  of  the  soil.  It  lessens  extremes  of  tempera- 
ture, gives  greater  water  holding  capacity,  opens  up  air  passages  and  aids  the 
chemical  activity  of  the  soil.  Humus  with  clay,  forms  clay  loam;  with  sand, 
a  sandy  loam.  Exhausted  soil  is  the  result  of  a  lack  of  humus,  rather  than  a 
lack  of  mineral  qualities.  Humus  is  obtained  (i)  by  crops  grown  for  the 
purpose  and  plowed  under;  (2)  by  roots,  stubble,  sdo,  refuse,  etc.,  left  on  the 
soil;  (3)  by  compost  and  stable  manure  directly  applied. 

In  addition  to  the  above  elements  of  soil,  fertile  soil  is  infested  by  myriads 
of  microscopic  organisms  peculiar  to  it  and  without  which  its  various  chemical 
purposes  could  not  be  carried  on.  Adametz  has  calculated  that  a  single  grain 
of  fertile  soil  contains  50,000  germs  of  various  kinds.  These  germs  aid  in 
the  formation  of  plant  foods  by  assisting  in  breaking  down  the  soil  particles 
and  hastening  the  decay  of  organic  materials.  Three  factors  of  soil  life  must 
be  cared  for  if  fertility  is  to  be  secured,  (i)  soil  physics;  (2)  soil  chemistry, 
and,  (3)  development  of  germ  life  and  germ  activity. 

The  soil  contains  a  vast  amount  of  plant  food.  It  has  been  calculated  by 
many  analyses,  that  on  average  agricultural  lands  the  surface,  8  inches  on  each 
acre,  contains  over  3,000  pounds  of  nitrogen,  almost  4,000  pounds  of  phos- 
phoric acid,  and  over  1,700  pounds  of  potash.  The  farmer  considers  chiefly 
these  three  elements  in  maintaining  or  increasing  productivity.  This  plant  food 
is  developed  in  proportion  to  the  excellence  of  the  tillage. 

The  soil  is  indeed  a  wonderful  agency,  a  mixture  of  physical  and  chemical 
forces  and  a  full  complete  life  within  itself.  As  Mr.  Bailey  says,  "It  must  no 
longer  be  thought  of  as  mere  dirt." 

THE  SOIL  OF  STEPHENSON   COUNTY. 

The  soil  of  this  county  has  not  as  yet  been  worked  by  the  Bureau  of  Soils, 
so  our  knowledge  of  it  is  not  so  great  as  in  the  adjoining  counties  of  Winnebago 
and  Jo  Daviess.  Its  eastern  half  is  very  largely  Marshall  and  Miami  silt  loam, 
the  former  being  found  on  prairie  and  the  latter  on  timber  areas.  In  those 
localities  where  the  surface  soil  is  the  product  of  the  disintegration  of  the  Cin- 
cinnati shale,  as  in  the  southern  part  of  Erin  Township  and  the  immediate  vicin- 
ity, we  have  our  poorest  soil.  This  being  a  locality  of  little  glaciation,  the  soil 
is  of  fine  granulation  and  inclined  to  "bake,"  as  it  is  technically  called.  This 
soil  is  also  quite  badly  exhausted  of  its  humus,  and  needs  large  additions  of  or- 
ganic matter. 


22  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Most  of  the  land  in  Harlem,  Erin,  Jefferson,  and  the  northen  part  of  Flor- 
ence Township  is  rolling  to  a  marked  degree  and  thinly  covered  with  glacial 
material.  Indeed,  the  northern  slopes  and  the  tops  of  the  hills  are  in  many 
places  almost  entirely  denuded  of  soil.  Here  weathering  is  producing  a  soil 
which,  if  underlaid  by  limestone,  is  fairly  productive,  and  would  be  exceedingly 
so  if  it  had  a  deeper  subsoil,  for  it  is  sure  to  be  sweet,  and  rich  in  mineral  plant 
food.  Some  of  these  residual  soils  are  red  in  color,  owing  to  the  presence  of 
oxide  of  iron,  and  loose  in  texture,  owing  to  the  presence  of  sand,  for 
the  lime  has  slaked  away,  leaving  these  iron  silicates  more  abundant  than 
in  our  glacial  soil.  The  amount  of  slaking  resulting  in  the  lowering  of 
the  crest  of  the  hill  can  be  judged  by  the  number  of  flinty  fragments  present. 
These  are  the  remains  of  the  chirty  layers  between  the  former  strata  of  the 
limestone.  These  spots  are  marked  by  finer  crop  growth  in  the  spring,  owing 
to  their  open  texture  and  freedom  from  acidity,  affording  a  favorable  field  for 
soil  bacteria,  but  later  the  crop  is  cut  short  because  of  want  of  depth  in  the  soil. 

North  of  Freeport,  largely  in  Harlem  and  to  some  extent  in  Lancaster  Town- 
ship, is  located  a  strip  of  sandy  soil  three  or  four  square  miles  in  area,  which 
is  evidently  a  dump  or  out-wash  of  the  glacier,  composed  of  soil  from  the  St. 
Peter's  formation  of  Wisconsin.  This  soil  does  not  retain  the  fertilizers  ap 
plied  as  well  as  does  most  of  Stephenson  County  land,  and  tends  to  leach  out 
again  quickly.  In  the  northwestern  part  of  the  county,  including  West  Point 
and  Winslow,  with  part  of  Kent,  is  a  fine  fertile  soil,  largely  prairie,  and  yield- 
ing fine  crops  of  corn,  oats,  wheat,  and  hay.  Although  lying  along  the  western 
boundary  of  the  glacial  lobe,  this  land  is  level  enough  to  prevent  heavy  loss 
by  erosion,  and  in  consequence  is  blacker  than  the  south  central  part  of  the 
county. 

Along  the  Pecatonica  River  in  Winslow,  Waddams,  Harlem,  Lancaster,  Sil- 
ver Creek,  and  Ridott  lie  wide  stretches  of  alluvial  lands  of  great  fertility,  the 
upper  benches  of  which  yield  large  crops  of  corn,  while  the  lower  levels  suffer 
in  times  of  high  water,  both  in  consequence  of  actual  overflow,  and  also  in  the 
attempts  of  owners  to  farm  when  the  land  has  been  too  wet.  This  has  resulted 
in  great  deterioration  in  the  physical  condition  of  the  land.  Here  is  a  great  op- 
portunity for  conservation  of  resources,  for  by  cooperation  or  by  government  help 
the  water  could  be  held  out  by  dyking,  and  hundreds  of  acres  of  the  best  land  in 
the  county  reclaimed.  The  same  is  true  in  a  lesser  degree  of  the  valley  of  the 
Yellow  Creek.  Where  there  is  fall  enough  for  proper  outlet,  tiling  has  been  or 
is  being  done,  to  the  great  improvement  of  these  lands.  In  the  northern  third 
of  Ridott  Township  is  a  light,  gray  soil  on  ground  formerly  covered  by  oak 
timber,  that  is  rather  too  thin  and  light  for  corn,  as  it  tends  to  dry  out  in  Au- 
gust and  September.  Moderate  crops  of  grain  and  hay  are  raised  here,  but  the 
soil  washes  easily  and  cannot  be  heavily  manured. 

As  the  land  immediately  to  the  north  of  us  from  which  our  drift  material 
came,  had  but  lately  emerged  from  the  Silurian  seas,  and  had  not  as  yet  pro- 
duced terrestrial  life  to  any  large  extent,  our  glaciation  was  rich  in  marine  and 
poor  in  animal  remains.  Hence,  as  shells  produce  the  carbonate  and  bones  the 
phosphate  of  lime,  the  former  predominates  in  our  soil  to  a  greater  extent  than 
in  the  counties  to  the  east  of  us.  So  the  limiting  factor  of  our  soils  is  phos- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  23 

phorus,  an  element  which  is  fast  being  exhausted  on  our  most  productive  farms. 
Potash  we  have  in  abundance,  as  the  Azoic  or  crystalline  rocks  of  the  Lake 
Superior  region  as  found  in  the  drift  are  rich  in  potassium.  Another  peculiarity 
of  our  drift  is  that  it  is  almost  wholly  composed  of  till  or  stiff  clay,  and  not 
nearly  so  sandy  and  friable  as  farther  east  and  north.  This  renders  much  of 
the  mineral  plant  food  unavailable,  and  leads  to  washing,  but  these  soils  respond 
to  good  treatment  and  are  capable  of  great  productiveness  when  skilfully 
handled,  because  owing  to  their  heaviness  large  amounts  of  straw  and  other 
coarse  organic  matter  can  be  plowed  in  without  danger  of  drying  out. 

In  the  center  of  Lancaster  and  in  Rock  Grove  Townships  are  bodies  of  silt 
loam  that  were  formerly  elm,  walnut,  and  ash  timber.  This  land  when  well 
farmed  will  equal  the  Marshall  silts  of  Ridott  or  Silver  Creek  in  corn  and  ex- 
ceed them  in  small  grain  production,  but  require  more  skill  to  conserve  the 
moisture  and  prevent  erosion.  Clover,  both  medium  and  alsike,  grow  readily, 
and  offer  the  farmers  an  opportunity  to  replace  their  lost  nitrogen  at  little  ex- 
pense. Experimental  tracts  of  alfalfa  do  well,  and  will  be  easier  to  start  when 
the  farmers  understand  the  innoculation  of  the  soil  better.  Much  damage  to 
the  soil  of  the  county  has  resulted  from  defective  methods,  among  which  may 
be  mentioned  shallow  plowing,  the  burning  of  organic  matter,  as  corn  stalks, 
straw,  and  leaves,  fall  plowing  on  rolling  land,  working  land  when  too  wet, 
failure  to  rotate  crops,  failure  to  sow  clover,  hard  pasturing  of  stubble  fields, 
and  many  others.  The  worst  of  all  is  the  penuriousness  of  the  absent  landlord 
who  rents  from  year  to  year  for  money  rent. 


SOIL. 

When  we  trace  life  and  all  its  concomitants  back  to  their  origin  we  come  to 
the  soil  for  therein  grow  the  roots  of  the  plants  that  feed  the  world.  This  soil 
is  comprised  of  several  elementary  substances,  the  principles  ones  of  which 
are  oxygen,  hydrogen,  carbon,  nitrogen,  sulphur,  iron,  calcium,  magnesium,  so- 
dium, phosphorus  and  potassium. 

The  first  four  constitute  by  far  the  larger  bulk  of  all  plant  food  but  the 
others  are  equally  essential.  The  limiting  elements  in  all  soil,  that  is  those 
that  are  likely  to  be  deficient  in  quantity,  are  nitrogen,  phosphorus  or  potas- 
sium. The  former,  the  farmer  can  buy  at  15  cents  per  pound  in  nitrole  of  soda 
or  raise  it  in  clover  at  a  nominal  cost  of  i  cent  per  pound.  Owing  to  the  great 
amount  of  feldspathic  rock  in  our  glaciation  potassium  will  never  give  out  in 
the  life  of  this  generation.  This  reduces  the  limiting  element  to  phosphorus — 
which  element  is  constantly  sold  off  the  farm  in  a  greater  degree  if  grain  is  sold 
and  to  a  lesser  degree  if  animal  products  are  marketed.  Many  of  the  soils  of  this 
county  are  infertile  because  of  an  acidity  which  presents  the  proper  development 
of  soil  bacteria,  which  introduces  a  new  feature  in  soil  study. 

Nitrogen  enters  into  all  plant  food  as  nitrates  of  the  other  elements  as  sodium, 
potassium,  etc.  This  nitrifying  of  the  crude  soil  elements,  which  in  the  ground 
are  generally  oxides  and  silicates,  is  the  work  of  certain  minute  plants  so  called 
though  they  very  strongly  resemble  animals  in  many  parts,  called  bacteria.  These 
must  be  present  in  any  soil  in  enormous  number  to  make  a  soil  fertile  and  oxl- 


24  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

gen  breathing.  So  an  open  loose  soil  is  necessary  to  growth,  hence  watering  on 
the  surface  during  a  time  of  drouth  without  a  frequent  subsequent  stirring  of 
the  soil  is  detrimental  in  consequence  of  the  fact  that  a  crust  is  formed,  but 
if  shallow  plowing  is  done,  ditches  are  allowed  to  form  and  hay  and  straw  as 
well  as  grain  are  sold,  then  the  black  soil  grows  less  and  finally  disappears. 
Then  we  have  a  soil  that  is  unproductive  and  in  which  bacteria  are  helpless, 
and  the  moisture  can  not  be  retained  during  the  period  of  drouth. 

Some  of  our  soils,  especially  along  the  western  side,  where  glaciation  was 
thin  are  formed  of  slaked  limestone.  These  are  never  sour  and  although  quite 
red  and  lacking  in  humus  are  friable  and  very  fertile  but  generally  fail  to  pro- 
duce as  much  at  harvest  as  they  promised  in  the  spring  because  of  the  nearness 
to  rock  and  lack  of  a  stiff  subsoil.  This  kind  of  red  clay  with  cherty  flints  in 
it  is  called  residua  and  is  formed  by  the  slaking  of  the  limestone,  leaving  the 
sand,  iron  (which  oxidizing  colors  it  red)  and  the  flints  that  are  the  cherty 
white  layers  that  separated  the  strata  in  the  rock  before  its  disintegration. 

Soils  that  produced  walnut,  elm  or  maple  far  exceed  those  that  bore  oak  and 
poplar  in  fertility.  The  presence  of  hazel  on  land  is  a  good  sign,  while  the  ad- 
vent of  certain  weeds  indicate  a  loss  of  nitrogen  most  marked  of  which  is  the 
horse  sorrel  (Rumex  Acetosella).  This  plant  springs  up  in  old  timothy  mead- 
ows when  they  have  exhausted  the  nitrates. 

Besides  the  reclamation  of  overflow  lands,  to  which  allusion  has  already  been 
made,  other  things  remain  to  be  done  for  the  conservation  of  our  resources 
and  the  prevention  of  the  loss  of  our  present  fertility,  among  which  are :  The  pur- 
chase of  rock  phosphate  to  replace  the  loss  of  phosphorus  of  which  mention 
has  been  made;  better  cultivation,  to  allow  aeration  of  the  soil  and  by  means 
of  a  dust  mulch  to  conserve  the  moisture  until  it  is  needed ;  proper  rotation  is 
also  essential,  as  it  is  evident  that  in  the  selection  of  plant  food  the  plant  leaves 
in  the  soil  something  toxic  to  itself  that  is  of  no  injury  to  other  plants  so  the 
more  perfect  the  rotation  and  the  oftener  the  return  to  some  leguminaceus  plant, 
as  clover,  and  the  more  thorough  the  cultivation  before  and  after  planting  the 
greater  will  be  the  return  in  dollars  and  cents  to  the  agriculturist.  And  the 
greater  the  prosperity  of  the  farmer  the  greater  that  of  everybody. 

WELLS  AND  WATER  SUPPLY. 

•The  rock  surface  of  Stephenson  County  is  for  the  most  part  covered  with 
glacial  drift.  This  deposit  of  clays,  alluvium,  loess,  sands,  gravel  and  silt  has 
an  average  depth  of  32  1-3  feet.  The  drift  is  not  thick  enough  to  conceal  the 
main  preglacial  valleys.  In  these  old  valleys  and  in  ridges,  eskers  and  knolls, 
the  drift  is  often  over  100  feet  in  depth.  In  such  places  the  drift  affords  a 
sufficient  water  supply. 

A  large  number  of  wells  in  the  county  reach  down  into  Galena  limestone. 
A  few  of  the  deeper  wells  pass  through  Galena  limestone  and  find  their  water 
supply  in  the  St.  Peter's  sandstone,  which,  at  Freeport,  is  no  to  130  feet  below 
the  Pecatonica  flood  plain.  The  Baier  and  Ohlendorf  well  is  186  feet  deep, 
and  draws  its  supply  from  St.  Peter's  sandstone.  It  passed  through  86  feet 
of  drift.  The  Stover  Manufacturing  Company  has  a  well  through  100  feet  of 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  25 

drift  into  St.  Peter's  sandstone.  A  well  at  the  vinegar  works  penetrated  85 
feet  of  drift.  Wells  in  East  Freeport  30  to  50  feet  in  depth  do  not  reach  the 
Galena  limestone. 

The  following  wells  will  give  an  idea  of  the  depth  of  drift  and  its  value  as 
a  source  of  water  supply  in  different  localities: 

Sec.   12  T  26  R?E  depth   100  feet.     Drift 98  feet. 

Sec.   14  T  26  R/E  depth   100  feet.     Drift 100  feet. 

Sec  12  T  26  R7E  depth   192   feet.     Drift 17   feet. 

Sec.   14  T  26  R;E  depth  248  feet.     Drift 65  feet. 

Sec.  36  T  26  R/E  depth   186  feet.     Drift 46  feet. 

St.  Peter's  sandstone  is  a  good  source  of  water  supply.  The  principal  in- 
take of  this  formation  is  in  southern  Wisconsin  and  southeastern  Minnesota. 
The  principal  source  of  our  water  supply  is  in  the  cranberry  marshes  of  Wis- 
consin where  the  St.  Peter's  and  Potsdam  sandstones  outcrop.  There  in  twenty 
counties  in  large  part,  the  water  is  near  the  surface,  and  is  absorbed  by  the 
sandy  soil.  The  tilt  of  the  sandstones  is  in  this  direction,  being  about  150  feet 
below  the  surface  here.  The  water  filters  its  way  down  into  this  county  and 
rises  through  faults  and  crevices  in  the  Trenton  limestone,  especially  the 
Galena.  The  quality  of  the  water  is  good,  and  its  quantity  copious.  The  up- 
per Trenton  or  Galena  limestone  is  a  magnesian  limestone  of  more  porous  char- 
acter and  yields  an  abundance  of  good  water,  but  is  occasionally  highly  charged 
with  hydrogen  sulphide,  which  renders  it  disagreeable  to  the  taste  and  lim- 
its its  use  as  a  potable  water.  The  Freeport  Water  Company  gets  its 
supply  from  wells  in  the  drift  along  the  Pecatonica  and  from  deep  wells 
65  feet  into  St.  Peter's  sandstone.  The  wells  are  201  feet  deep,  passing  through 
100  feet  of  the  Trenton  limestone,  the  Galena,  the  Blue  and  the  Buff. 

In  1895,  the  water  of  the  Freeport  Water  Company  acquired  a  bad  taste 
and  odor.  After  considerable  investigation,  Supt.  O.  T.  Smith  discovered  that 
the  cause  was.  a  growth  of  floating  matter  in  the  mains,  known  as  well  thread 
or  Crenothix  Kuhmiana.  Mr.  Smith  also  found  that  such  growth  required 
about  30%  per  million  of  iron  solution  in  the  water.  The  only  remedy  was  to 
prohibit  the  growth  by  reducing  the  amount  of  iron  in  the  water.  The  com- 
pany then  put  in  a  filter  plant,  in  which  lime  water,  two  to  four  grains  of  lime 
per  gallon,  was  used.  In  an  address  before  the  24th  annual  meeting  of  the 
American  Water  Works  Association  at  St.  Louis,  June,  1904,  Supt.  Smith 
stated  that  the  result  of  the  filter  plant  was  that  the  iron  was  reduced  to  an 
average  of  about  .04  parts  per  million,  while  the  carbonic  acid  gas  was  re- 
moved and  the  water  softened  13  to  15%.  In  six  months  the  growth  in  the 
mains  had  absolutely  stopped. 

FOSSILS   OF    STEPHENSON    COUNTY. 

A  fossil  is  any  evidence  of  the  former  existence  of  a  living  being.  Strati- 
fied rocks  are  sediments  accumulated  in  ancient  seas,  lakes,  deltas,  etc.  Shells 
were  imbedded  in  the  shore  deposits.  Leaves,  logs  and  bones  of  land  animals 
were  swept  into  swamps  and  buried  in  mud.  Tracks  were  formed  on  muddy 


26  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

shores  by  animals.  These  marks,  shells  logs,  etc.,  have  been  preserved  in 
stratified  rocks. 

In  the  Niagara  limestones  at  Waddams,  are  found  the  Cyathophyllum,  two 
or  three  species  of  Favosites  and  some  imperfect  Halysites.  In  the  Cincinnati 
limestones  of  this  county,  but  few  fossils  are  found.  Near  Loran  are  found  the 
Orthis  Testitudinaria  and  the  Orthis  Occidentalis.  In  the  Galena  limestone  is 
found  the  characteristic  Receptaculites  Oweni,  commonly  called  "lead  blos- 
som" and  "Sunflower  Coral."  This  fossil  is  found  in  large  numbers  at  Cedar- 
ville  and  Freeport.  It  crumbles  readily  and  good  specimens  are  difficult  to 
secure.  Receptaculites  orbicularis  is  also  found  in  the  Freeport  quarry.  The 
fossils  most  commonly  found  are  species  of  Murchisonia,  Orthocera,  Orthis, 
Plentomaria,  small  Bellerophons  and  Ambonychia.  Some  of  the  thin  shaly 
strata  of  the  blue  limestone  are  full  of  small  sized  Orthis.  Fragmentary  stems 
of  encrinites  are  found.  A  specimen  of  Receptaculites  Oweni  was  found  in 
the  blue  limestone  at  Rock  Run  bridge.  Many  well  preserved  casts  of  fossils 
are  found  in  the  Buff  limestone :  Pleurotomaria  subconica ;  Orthoceras,  five  or 
six  inches  in  diameter,  and  some  six  feet  long ;  Oncoceras  pandion ;  two  species 
of  Tellinomya. 

Hershey  collected  the  following  loess  fossils  which  were  identified  by  Dr. 
W.  H.  Dall  of  the  United  States  Geological  Survey:  Vallonia  Costata  Mull; 
Vallonia  perspectiva  Sterki ;  Zonotoides  arboreus ;  Vitrea  hammonis ;  Indentata ; 
Pyramidula  Alternata ;  Pyramidula  Striatella ;  Helicodiscus  lineatus ;  Polygyra 
hirsita ;  Strobilops  virgo ;  Bifidaria  Contracta ;  Bifidaria  Corticaria ;  Bifidaria  Ar- 
mifera;  Bifidaria  holzingera;  Vertigo  tridentata;  Succinea  avara;  Carychium 
exiguum ;  Carychium  exiguum ;  Carychium  exile.  All  the  above  are  Terristial 
species.  The  following  are  Fluviatile  species  (gill  bearing) :  Pleurocera  subu- 
late ;  Campeloma  decisa ;  Bythinella  termipes ;  Armicola  Cincinnattiensis ;  Arn- 
nicola  porata ;  Somatagyrus  depressus ;  Valvata  tricarinata. 

The  Fluviatile  bivalves  (some  occasionally  in  ponds)  ;  Pissidium  compressum ; 
Pissidium  Cruciatum ;  Pissidium  fallax ;  Pissidium  punctatum ;  Pissidium  Vari- 
able ;  Pissidium  risginicum ;  Pissidium  walkeri  ;  Spaerium  starninaeum  ;  Sphaerium 
striatinum;  Sphaerium  simile;  Sphaerium  solidulum.  Of  the  pond  species,  ait 
breathing  (some  Fluviatile):  Planobis  parous;  Planobis  bicarinatus ;  Physa  he- 
terostropha ;  Segmentina  armigera ;  Limnaea  humilis ;  Ancylus  tardus ;  Ancylus 
rivularis ;  Ancylus  parallelus. 

SUMMARY. 

Quaternary  Deposits. — The  Quaternary  deposits  cover  the  county  to  an  aver- 
age depth  of  32  1/3  feet.  Along  the  narrow  bottoms  of  the  Pocatonica  there  is 
a  strip  of  Alluvium  proper.  In  places  it  is  two  miles  in  width.  Alluvium  is  also 
noticeable  along  Yellow  Creek  and  some  of  the  smaller  streams.  Along  some  of 
the  hills  and  bluffs  there  is  to  be  found  the  loess  marls.  The  Alluvium  and 
the  loess  are  found  in  small  quantities,  the  main  part  of  the  superficial  detritus 
consisting  of  sands,  silt,  clays  and  gravels  of  the  drift  period. 

Where  the  rock  surface  is  near  the  top  of  the  ground,  a  part  of  the  deposit 
is  of  the  nature  of  the  underlying  rock.  In  such  cases  after  passing  through 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  27 

the  black  soil,  there  is  a  clayey  subsoil,  then  reddish  brown  clay,  mixed  with 
flints  and  pieces  of  cherty  limestone,  then  clay  and  limestone  in  regular  stratifica- 
tion, the  limestone  becoming  more  regular,  thicker  and  harder  in  the  descent  till 
solid  rock  is  reached.  The  clays  above  the  Cincinnati  shales  are  of  chocolate 
color,  finer  in  texture  and  freer  from  sand.  These  are  evidently  residuary  soils. 
The  county,  however,  is  practically  overlaid  by  the  work  of  the  ice  sheets  of 
the  drift  period.  The  prairies  north  and  east  of  Waddams  Grove  are  marked 
by  numberless  boulders,  some  black,  some  flame  colored  and  others  combining 
the  colors  of  metamorphic  rock.  Many  of  these  boulders  are  beautiful  and 
many  colored.  These  boulders  were  torn  out  by  the  ice  sheets  in  Wisconsin  or 
in  Canada,  and  carried  along,  being  finally  deposited  here.  Elsewhere  are  to  be 
found  the  silt  deposits,  the  eskers,  and  boulder  clays  above  described. 


NIAGARA    LIMESTONE. 

The  Niagara  limestone  is  found  only  in  the  western  and  southwestern  part  of 
county.  It,  no  doubt,  at  one  time  covered  a  large  part  of  the  county  but  was 
broken  up  and  carried  southward  by  the  great  ice  sheets.  Waddams  Grove,  a 
high  tract  of  land  two  or  three  miles  long  and  a  mile  or  two  wide,  is  capped  by 
the  Niagara  formation.  Here  quarries  have  been  worked  twenty-five  feet  deep, 
into  the  Cincinnati  shales.  The  top  layers  of  Niagara  are  thick,  irregular,  speck- 
led and  porous,  but  the  bottom  layers  are  compact  and  solid.  A  slender,  rotten 
fossil,  Cyathofillum,  was  found  in  these  quarries. 

Niagara  also  outcrops  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  county.  It  is  the  under- 
lying for  most  of  that  part  of  the  county,  south  of  Yellow  Creek  and  west  of  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad.  Small  streams  flowing  into  Yellow  Creek  cut  through 
Niagara  into  the  Cincinnati  shales.  At  Big  Springs,  in  LaShell  Hollow,  consid- 
erable Niagara  stone  has  been  quarried.  Quantities  of  some  of  the  rougher 
Niagara  corals  are  found  strewn  over  the  hills  about  Loran.  These  are  Favosites 
and  Halysites. 

THE    CINCINNATI    LIMESTONES. 

The  Cincinnati  limestones  are  found  just  beneath  the  Niagara  at  WaddamSj 
and  is  about  40  feet  thick.  Eleroy  hill  is  covered  by  the  Cincinnati  layers.  Here 
a  quarry  outcrop  is  over  40  feet  deep.  The  Catholic  church  is  built  out  of  the 
stone  of  this  quarry.  On  the  north  side  there  is  a  bold  and  steep  escapment,  a 
marked  feature  of  the  landscape.  The  hills  about  the  village  of  Loran  are  covered 
to  their  tops  by  this  formation.  Many  quarries  are  opened  in  the  face  of  the  hills 
and  fair  building  stone  is  secured.  Like  the  Niagara,  a  large  part  of  the  Cincin- 
nati was  eroded  and  carried  away  by  the  ice  sheets.  Just  north  of  Baileyville, 
Crane's  Grove,  occupying  several  sections,  is  underlaid  by  Cincinnati.  Quarries 
afford  foundation  stone.  About  Loran  the  fossils  Orthis  testutdinaria  and  Or- 
this  Occidentalis  are  found. 


28  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


TRENTON    LIMESTONES. 

The  Trenton  limestones  are  the  Galena,  the  Blue  (Trenton  proper)  and  the 
Buff  limestones.  All  three  of  the  Trentons  outcrop  in  Stephenson  County.  The 
Galena,  the  upper  division,  is  essentially  a  coarse  grained  granular,  crystalline, 
porous  dolomite  which  weathers  into  exceedingly  rough,  pitted,  irregular  forms. 
It  is  the  underlying  rock  of  about  £4  of  Stephenson  County.  It  is  found  beneath 
the  Cincinnati  limestones  at  Waddams  and  Eleroy.  Quarries  and  lime  kilns  have 
been  operated  near  Lena.  A  heavy  section  of  Galena  is  found  in  Freeport,  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  city  near  the  Illinois  Central  Railroads.  Three  ex- 
tensive quarries  have  been  worked,  which  have  furnished  material  for  lime  and 
building  purposes.  The  top  layers  are  soft  and  crumble  in  the  hand.  The  quar- 
ries are  shaly  towards  the  top  but  grow  massive  and  solid  as  they  are  worked 
into.  These  quarries  are  worked  30  ft.  or  more.  Three  miles  southwest  of 
Freeport,  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad  cuts  through  Galena. 
Three  miles  northwest  of  Freeport  is  a  similar  cut.  A  mile  to  the  west  is  another 
Galena  cut,  1,000  feet  long  and  24  feet  deep.  Here  the  rock  is  covered  by  ten 
feet  of  the  usual  gravelly  clay.  About  a  mile  west  of  Rock  City,  is  another 
cut,  350  yards  long  and  at  the  deepest  point,  15  feet  into  the  solid  stone.  Here 
the  rock  is  hard,  glassy  and  conchoidal  in  Fracture  and  approaches  the  Blue  or 
Trenton  proper.  One-half  mile  further  on  and  near  Rock  City  is  a  12  foot  cut 
through  the  real  Blue  limestone.  East  of  Dakota  at  the  railroad  bridge  is  a  24 
footcut  through  Galena,  and  Blue  limestones.  Here  may  be  seen  the  Yellow 
Galena,  passing  into  the  Blue.  One-fourth  of  a  mile  east  of  Davis  is  cut  through 
Galena,  1,000  feet  long  and  31  feet  deep,  24  feet  of  which  is  solid  limestone, 
slightly  bluish  and  conchoidal  in  fracture. 

The  Pecatonica  River  after  about  five  miles  from  the  Wisconsin  line,  cuts 
into  the  Galena  limestone.  At  McConnell  an  outcrop  has  been  worked.  Rich- 
land  and  Cedar  Creeks  expose  the  Galena  their  entire  lengths,  at  many  points 
heavy  outcrops  and  escapements  stand  out  in  bold  relief.  At  Cedarville  the  out- 
crop is  75  feet  thick.  A  large  quarry  opened  here  furnished  the  stone  for  Adam's 
milldam.  There  ^is  a  twenty  foot  quarry  at  Buena  Vista.  There  are  expostures 
and  quarries  also  at  Scioto  Mills.  Crane's  Creek,  at  the  west  end  of  Crane's 
Grove,  cuts  into  the  Galena. 

An  interesting  outcrop  of  Galena  is  observed  near  Burroak  Grove,  half  way 
between  Lena  and  Winslow.  Several  small  quarries  have  been  opened  on  the  hill 
tops  west  of  the  grove.  Southeast  of  Rock  City  a  24  foot  exposure  is  operated. 
There  are  outcroppings  in  Ridott  and  Oneco  townships.  Stephenson  County,  be- 
tween the  Pecatonica  River  and  Yellow  Creek,  except  a  small  strip  east  and  south 
of  Winslow,  and  the  Niagara  at  Waddams,  the  Cincinnati  at  Eleroy,  Kent  and 
along  the  banks  of  Yellow  Creek,  is  underlaid  by  Galena  limestone.  The  south- 
eastern part  of  the  county,  nearly  up  to  the  Pecatonica  and  almost  to  the  Illinois 
Central,  is  also  underlaid  by  Galena,  with  the  exception  of  a  strip  along  the 
southeastern  corner  and  a  few  points  in  the  eastern  part  of  Silver  Creek  town- 
ship. Galena  limestone  fossils  found  in  the  county  are,  Receptaculites  Oweni ; 
Receptaculites  orbicularis;  Nurchisonia;  Orthocera;  Orthis;  Pleurotomania ; 
Bellerophon  and  Ambonychia. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  29 


BLUE   LIMESTONE. 

The  Blue  limestone,  the  middle  division  of  the  Trenton  group,  is  not  found 
extensively  in  Stephenson  County  as  surface  rock.  Rock  run  cuts  into  Blue  lime- 
stone soon  after  entering  the  county  and  along  its  banks  until  within  a  mile  or 
two  of  its  mouth  shows  Blue  outcroppings.  Some  of  the  rocky  banks  are  over- 
capped  with  Galena.  At  the  Milwaukee  railroad  bridge  over  Rock  run  the  Blue 
is  thirty-nine  feet  thick.  The  lower  part  is  very  blue.  One  and  a  half  miles 
below  is  a  quarry  opened  in  a  25  foot  cut. 

BUFF  LIMESTONE. 

The  only  place  in  the  county  where  Buff  limestone  is  the  underlying  rock 
is  about  Winslow.  The  outcrop  is  heavier  at  Martin's  Mill  in  Wisconsin.  The 
Winslow  quarry  is  about  30  feet  deep  and  the  one  at  Martin's  Mill  is  38  feet. 
On  either  side  of  this  strip  are  the  outcroppings  of  Galena.  The  fossils  are 
Pleurotomania  subconica;  a  large  Orthoceras,  five  or  six  inches  in  diameter,  and 
some  six  feet  long;  a  Cypricardites ;  Oncoceras  pandion;  two  species  of  Telli- 
nomya,  and  a  few  others. 

ST.  PETER'S  SANDSTONE. 

This  is  a  soft,  white  sandstone,  at  places  over  200  feet  thick.  It  is  found 
below  the  buff  of  the  Trenton  series.  It  is  134  feet  below  the  surface  at  the 
Freeport  Water  Company's  plant,  168  feet  below  at  Cedarville  and  comes  to 
the  surface  near  Winslow.  It  outcrops  largely  in  Wisconsin  and  also  in  LaSalle 
County,  111.,  where  it  is  used  as  a  glass  sand. 

ECONOMICAL    GEOLOGY. 

The  chief  economic  value  of  the  geological  formations  of  Stephenson  County 
is  in  the  agricultural  resources  of  the  soil.  Next  in  value,  probably,  is  the  water 
supply  in  the  drift,  the  Galena  limestone  and  St.  Peter's  sandstone.  Certain 
portions  of  the  Galena,  Blue  and  Buff  limestones  have  been  successfully  burned 
into  lime  of  fair  quality.  The  reddish  clays  over  the  Galena  limestones  make 
excellent  red  brick.  A  tough,  tenacious  fireclay  which  underlies  the  peat  marshes 
has  been  made  into  a  light  colored  brick,  but  this  industry  has  not  been  developed. 

BUILDING    STONE. 

The  Niagara  is  quarried  in  several  places  and  is  a  handsome  colored,  endur- 
ing, building  material.  But  it  is  of  irregular  stratification  which  makes  it  un- 
shapely and  unmanageable.  Barn  foundations,  houses  and  bridge  abutments 
are  made  from  quarries  from  Cincinnati  rock  about  Eleroy  and  Kent.  Some 
of  the  lower  strata  are  massive  and  very  hard. 

Galena  limestone  is  a  good  material  for  the  heavier  kinds  of  masonry.  When 
dressed  and  well  laid,  it  seasons  into  great  hardness.  Almost  all  the  stone  work 


30  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

in  Freeport  is  of  Galena  from  the  Freeport  quarries.  It  is  used  extensively  in 
foundations.  Several  store  buildings  are  built  of  it.  The  best  example  of  Ga- 
lena and  probably  the  most  imposing  architecture  in  Freeport  is  the  First  Pres- 
byterian church  at  the  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Walnut  Streets.  The  Blue  and 
the  Buff  afford  as  good  building  stone  as  is  to  be  found  in  this  part  of  Illinois, 
but  are  not  used  extensively  because  of  the  vast  amount  of  useless  surface  ma- 
terials to  be  removed. 

The  day  will  come,  no  doubt,  when  the  greatest  value  of  Stephenson  County 
stone  will  be  in  road-building.  Crushed  stone  has  been  used  extensively  in  mak- 
ing the  bed  for  brick  streets  and  in  making  macadam  streets  in  Freeport.  Out- 
croppings  of  stone  are  well  distributed  over  the  county  and  in  this  way  nature 
has  provided  a  means  for  making  permanent  hard  roads. 

MINERALS. 

There  is  but  little  mineral  wealth  to  be  found  in  Stephenson  County.  A 
little  bog-iron  ore  is  to  be  found  in  the  swamps.  Small  pieces  of  float  copper 
have  been  found  in  the  drift,  having  been  carried  down  from  the  Lake  Superior 
region  by  the  ice  sheets.  Small  quantities  of  common  lead  ore  have  been  taken 
from  the  ground.  Considerable  prospecting  has  developed  the  fact  that  lead 
mining  is  not  a  profitable  business  in  the  county  because  there  is  no  lead.  Years 
ago  a  lead  crevice  was  developed  without  success  near  the  mouth  of  Yellow 
Creek.  Pieces  as  large  as  the  fist  have  been  taken  out  of  quafries  near  Lena, 
A  Freeport  company  secured  several  hundred  pounds  in  Oneco  township  thirty 
years  ago. 

PEAT. 

Peat  is  a  more  or  less  compact  mass  of  vegatable  matter  formed  in  swamps 
It  is  an  early  stage  of  coal  formation.  In  Township  26,  range  9,  a  bed  of  50 
acres  was  found  by  Shaw.  It  was  3  to  6  feet  deep  and  underlaid  by  fire  clay. 
Almost  every  swamp  south  of  Yellow  Creek  has  some  peat  formations.  Small 
beds  have  been  found  about  Lena  and  Ridott.  The  best  peat  bed  is  in  the  town- 
ship of  Florence,  between  section  25  and  26.  It  is  40  rods  wide  and  over  100 
rods  long,  and  contains  about  50  acres.  It  is  from  6  to  9  feet  deep.  Peat  may 
be  used  as  fuel  and  as  fertilizer.  When  mixed  with  ashes  or  lime,  it  becomes 
a  good  fertilizer.  If  peat  compressing  machinery  is  perfected,  these  beds  may  be 
profitably  developed. 

A  machine  has  been  invented  which  presses  50  tons  of  peat  a  day.  Recent 
experiments  show  that  where  peat  contains  over  i%  of  nitrogen,  the  value  of 
ammonia  as  a  by-product  will  more  than  pay  the  expense  of  extracting  the  gas, 
leaving  the  latter  as  clear  profit.  Prof.  Fernald  of  the  Geological  Survey  found 
that  Europe  uses  ten  million  tons  of  peat  annually  as  fuel.  In  Sweden, 
power  plants  are  located  in  the  peat  bogs,  and  electric  current  transferred  to 
the  cities.  Prof.  Dans,  also  of  the  United  Geological  Survey,  says  "The  day  is 
near  at  hand  when  American  cities  away  from  the  coal  fields  and  near  peat 
bogs,  will  obtain  their  power  and  light  from  peat."  Work  has  already  begun 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  31 

in  Florida  on  a  plant  for  generating  electric  power  by  producer-gas  engines, 
using  air  dried  peat  as  a  fuel.  The  value  of  peat  in  the  United  States  is  estimated 
at  $39,000,000,000.  Peat  also  makes  incomparable  coke,  being  nearly  free  from 
phosphorus  and  sulphur.  It  is  of  utmost  value  in  metallurgical  reductions — 
iron-smelting,  steel  making  and  copper  refining.  Peat  by-products  are  illuminat- 
ing and  lubricating  oils,  paraffin  wax,  phenol,  asphalt,  wood  alcohol,  acetic  acid, 
ammonia  sulphate,  and  combustible  gases.  In  Europe,  great  quantities  of  fibrous 
peat  are  used  in  bedding  live  stock.  It  is  superior  to  straw  and  an  Indiana  fac- 
tory is  now  making  a  product  of  this  kind  that  sells  for  $12.00  a  ton.  In 
Michigan,  paper  is  made  from  peat ;  in  Germany  it  is  used  for  packing,  insula- 
tion, etc.,  and  in  Norway  is  made  into  ethyl  alcohol. 

THE  BLACK  HAWK  WAR. 

The  Black  Hawk  War  was  an  inevitable  conflict  between  the  advancing  tide 
of  American  civilization  and  a  quarrelsome  band  of  Indians.  The  Sacs  and  the 
Foxes  had  been  inependent  tribes  in  Canada  near  Montreal.  Both  tribes  were 
troublesome  and  like  other  American  Indians  they  drifted  westward  before  the 
onward  moving  wave  of  frontier  settlement.  In  Wisconsin  the  remnants  of  Sacs 
and  Foxes  united  to  form  a  confederation.  As  a  confederacy,  they  became  in- 
volved in  frequent  wars  with  their  neighbors.  They  moved  southward  and  lo- 
cated finally  in  the  valley  of  the  Rock  River,  with  headquarters  near  the  present 
site  of  Rock  Island. 

At  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  the  settlers  from  the  Thirteen  Colonies 
pushed  their  way  over  the  Appalachian  Mountains  and  out  into  the  great  Mis- 
sissippi Valley.  The  Ordinance  of  1787  provided  civil  government  for  the 
Northwest  Territory  and  Illinois  was  admitted  as  a  state  in  1818.  The  northern 
part  of  the  state  received  many  new  settlers  after  the  war  of  1812.  Small  bands 
of  Indians  had  occupied  almost  every  part  of  the  state.  The  United  States 
government  had  bought  up  the  claims  of  these  Indians  and  had  moved  most  of 
them  west  of  the  Mississippi. 

The  Indian  lands  were  then  open  to  settlement  and  as  the  scattered  outposts 
of  hardy  pioneers  pushed  farther  north  and  west  the  inevitable  conflict  between 
the  Rock  River  Indians  and  the  people  of  Illinois  became  evident.  The  valley  of 
the  Rock  River  and  its  tributaries  had  long  been  the  undisputed  hunting  ground 
of  the  confederacy  of  the  Sacs  and  the  Foxes.  Part  of  this  country  was  occupied 
by  the  Winnebagoes,  the  Kickapoos,  and  other  small  tribes,  all  of  whom  were 
subordinate  to  the  power  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes.  Following  the  beautiful  val- 
leys of  the  Rock,  the  Pecatonica,  and  the  Wisconsin,  roamed  unmolested,  the 
hunting  parties  of  Indians  in  free  enjoyment  of  the  wild  life  of  the  savage. 
Here  and  there  in  favored  fertile  spots,  the  squaws  planted  their  corn  and  In- 
dian villages  prospered.  Occasionally,  bands  of  braves  in  war  paint  and  feathers 
went  out  to  make  war  on  the  Sioux,  the  lowas,  the  Osages,  or  the  Cherokees. 
Too  often  murderous  bands,  many  times  inspired  by  British  agents,  went  on 
long  journeys  to  the  south  and  east,  robbing  and  killing  among  the  defenseless 
outlying  settlements.  Traders,  trappers  and  adventurers  had  brought  the  Sacs 
and  the  Foxes  and  the  Winnebagoes  in  touch  with  the  skirmish  line  of  advanc- 


32  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ing  settlements.  But  the  Indian  had  come  to  regard  the  country  as  his  own. 
Annually  the  chiefs  and  braves  went  over  the  old  "Sauk"  trail  which  ran  from 
Rock  Island  through  Joliet,  to  Maiden,  to  meet  the  British  father  from  whom 
they  received  gifts  and  gold.  But  the  white  man  crossed  the  trail  of  the  surly 
Indian  when  settlements  were  made  at  Galena,  and  around  Ottawa  and  Joliet. 
Frontier  difficulties  soon  arose  that  ended  only  with  the  final  defeat  of  Black 
Hawk,  August  2,  1832. 

The  lead  mines  proved  to  be  the  magnet  that  drew  the  rapid  advance  of  the 
frontier  line  to  the  Rock  River.  The  Indians  had  already  found  the  lead,  and 
in  a  rude  way,  the  squaws  had  worked  the  mines.  In  1819,  the  first  white  settle- 
ment was  made  at  Galena.  Others  came  in  1820  and  soon  adventurers  poured 
into  the  lead  regions  from  all  quarters  of  the  world.  Some  came  up  the  Mis- 
sissippi River  and  some  overland  from  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  Kentucky  and 
Tennessee,  via  Vincennes  and  Peoria,  through  the  unbroken  wilderness.  The 
increasing  overland  travel  caused  O.  W.  Kellog  to  break  a  trail  from  Peoria 
to  Galena  in  the  spring  of  1827.  "KellogY'  trail  crossed  the  Rock  River  at 
Dixon,  passed  near  Polo,  Ogle  County,  through  "Kellog's  Grove"  now  "Timms 
Grove,"  Erin  Township,  Stephenson  County,  then  by  way  of  Apple  River  Fort 
to  Galena. 

In  1828,  Joseph  Ogee  established  a  ferry  at  Dixon  and  this  same  year, 
John  Dixon  made  a  contract  with  the  United  States  government  to  carry  the 
mail  from  Peoria  to  Galena.  In  1830,  Dixon  bought  the  ferry  from  Ogee,  built 
a  house  and  moved  his  family  to  Dixon.  He  conducted  the  ferry,  a  store  and 
a  hotel. 

Along  Kellog's  trail  came  two  classes  of  settlers  into  northwestern  Illinois: 
the  soldiers  from  the  Eastern  States,  released  by  the  close  of  the  War  of  1812, 
and  the  men  from  North  Carolina,  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  They  came  with 
their  families  to  found  permanent  homes.  They  were  schooled  in  the  hard- 
ships and  dangers  of  the  camp  and  the  frontier,  and  were  not  likely  to  be  over- 
patient  with  Indians  who  crossed  their  purposes.  Only  the  brave  and  the  hardy 
dared  the  perils  of  pioneer  travel  and  frontier  life.  In  1829,  many  settlers  occu- 
pied the  fertile  plains  about  the  mouth  of  Rock  River.  President  Jackson 
ordered  a  government  survey  which  included  Black  Hawk's  village  and  fields. 
A  proclamation  was  issued  opening  these  lands  to  settlement.  Frequent  quar- 
rels across  between  the  settlers  and  the  Indians  and  each  in  turn  devastated  the 
fields  of  the  other. 

In  April,  1830,  a  petition  signed  by  thirty-seven  settlers  was  sent  to  Gov- 
ernor John  Reynolds,  asking  protection  from  the  Indians.  Governor  Reynolds 
took  up  the  matter  with  William  Clark,  the  Federal  Indian  superintendent  at 
St.  Louis,  and  with  General  Gaines,  and  the  Indian  agent  at  Rock  Island,  Felix 
St.  Vrain.  These  officials  testified  that  every  effort  had  been  made  to  persuade 
the  Indians  to  move  across  the  Mississippi  into  Iowa.  Most  of  the  Indian  chiefs 
including  Keokuk,  Wapello,  head  chief  of  the  Foxes  and  Pash-e-pa-ho,  of  the 
Sacs,  had  agreed  to  abandon  the  Rock  River  lands  peaceably.  They  also  re- 
ported that  the  opposition  arose  from  a  brave,  called  Black  Hawk,  who  had 
much  influence  with  the  quarrelsome  element  among  the  Sacs  and  Foxes.  At  a 
conference  with  General  Gaines  at  Rock  Island,  Keokuk,  Wapello  and  other 


BLACK  HAWK 


IXPIAXS  ATTACKING   A  STOCKADE 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  33 

chiefs  advised  Black  Hawk  to  move  into  Iowa  and  to  avoid  trouble  with  the 
whites.  But  because  of  his  hatred  for  the  Americans  and  his  jealousy  of  Keokuk, 
the  warning  fell  on  deaf  ears.  When  General  Gaines  asked  at  that  conference, 
"Who  is  Black  Hawk?"  the  old  Indian  replied:  "I  will  tell  you  who  I  am.  I 
am  a  Sac.  I  am  a  warrior.  Ask  those  young  men  who  have  followed  me  to 
battle,  and  they  will  tell  you  who  Black  Hawk  is ;  provoke  our  people  to  war  and 
you  will  learn  who  Black  Hawk  is."  So,  on  April  6,  1832,  Black  Hawk,  with 
five  hundred  braves  with  their  women  and  children,  crossed  the  Mississippi  and 
took  possession  of  their  old  hunting  grounds  and  cornfields  along  the  banks  of 
Rock  River  in  Illinois.  Black  Hawk  said  they  had  come  to  plant  corn.  That 
meant  war,  and  the  Americans  were  to  know  who  Black  Hawk  was.  The  gaunt- 
let was  thrown  down  to  people  sure  to  take  it  up. 

Black  Hawk,  or  Ma-ka-tai-she-kia-kiak,  was  now  sixty-five  years  old.  He 
was  born  in  a  Sac  village  on  the  Rock  River,  three  miles  from  the  Mississippi. 
His  father,  Py-e-sa,  was  the  medicine  man  of  the  tribe.  Black  Hawk  was  five 
feet,  eleven  inches  tall  and  weighed  one  hundred  and  forty  pounds.  His  features 
were  marked  by  high  cheek  bones,  a  Roman  nose,  a  sharp  chin  and  black  spark- 
ling eyes.  He  was  a  typical  Indian  fighter,  skilled  in  strategy  and  magnetic  in 
leadership  of  his  braves.  Even  his  severest  critics  admit  that  he  was  an  excel- 
lent husband  and  father  and  that  he  was  honest  with  his  own  people.  But  he 
was  constitutionally  an  "Insurgent."  He  was  ready  to  command  and  to  lead,  but 
he  was  loath  to  obey.  Fretted  by  restraint  and  envious  of  chiefs  above  him, 
he  was  quarrelsome  and  a  seeker  of  trouble.  He  was  brave  in  battle  but  as  an 
organizer,  he  fell  far  short  of  Phillip  of  Pokanoket,  Pontiac  or  Tecumseh. 

Little  is  known  of  Black  Hawk's -early  life  except  what  he  tells  in  his  auto- 
biography. He  says  he  was  permitted  to  wear  paint  and  feathers  at  fifteen  be- 
cause he  wounded  an  enemy  in  battle.  He  always  possessed  a  warlike  spirit 
and  was  never  so  happy  as  when  leading  a  band  of  young  Indians  to  battle. 
At  sixteen,  he  killed  an  Osage  in  battle  and  thereafter  was  permitted  to  join  in 
the  scalp  dances  of  the  braves.  He  led  frequent  expeditions  against  the  Osages, 
the  Cherokees,  the  lowas,  the  Sioux,  the  Chippewas  and  the  Kaskaskias,  almost 
always  returning  with  many  scalps  of  his  own  taking,  which  seems  to  Rave  been 
the  sole  object  of  many  of  his  attacks. 

From  the  Revolutionary  War  to  1803,  Black  Hawk's  warlike  tendencies  were 
encouraged  from  two  sources :  from  his  Spanish  father  at  St.  Louis  and  from 
his  British  father  at  Maiden.  He  received  presents  and  money  from  both.  From 
both  he  drank  deep  of  the  hatred  of  the  Americans.  When  St.  Louis  passed 
to  the  Americans  in  1803,  Black  Hawk  was  sorry  because  he  would  see  his 
Spanish  father  no  more.  All  this  time  along  the  extended  frontier  of  the  New 
Republic,  British  agents  incited  Indians  to  prey  upon  the  American  pioneers  with 
scalping  knife  and  rifle.  Black  Hawk  earned  his  share  of  British  gold  in  these 
murderous  enterprises. 

November  3d,  1804,  under  direction  of  President  Jefferson,  General  William 
Henry  Harrison  met  the  chiefs  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  at  St.  Louis  and  made  a 
treaty  by  which  the  confederacy  ceded  to  the  United  States,  all  the  Sac  and  Fox 
claims  east  of  the  Mississippi,  amounting  to  over  fifty  million  acres.  In  return 
the  Indians  were  to  receive  lands  in  Jowa,  $2,000.00  in  supplies  and  a  $1,000.00 


34  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

annuity.  Section  4  of  the  treaty  binds  the  United  States  never  to  interrupt  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes  in  their  Iowa  lands.  The  treaty  was  signed  by  William  Henry 
Harrison;  Layowvois,  Pashepaho,  the  Stabber;  Quashquame,  the  Jumping  Fish; 
Outchequaha,  the  Sun  Fish;  Hashequavhiqua,  the  Bear,  in  the  presence  of  wit- 
nesses and  interpreters.  The  United  States  had  made  a  treaty  of  friendship 
with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  in  1789,  and  this  treaty  of  1804  seemed  to  be  as  fair 
a  treaty  as  Indian  tribes  of  that  day  could  expect  from  Americans  or  any  other 
nation.  Besides,  frequent  hunting  expeditions  into  Iowa  had  already  proved  that 
that  country  was  better  fishing  and  hunting  land  than  Illinois.  There  was  no 
general  complaint  against  the  treaty  by  the  chiefs  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes. 

But  the  surly  Black  Hawk  did  not  recognize  the  treaty  of  1804.  He  claimed 
that  the  chiefs  were  made  drunk  before  they  signed  the  treaty.  He  said  the 
American,  General  William  Henry  Harrison,  said  one  thing  and  put  another 
thing  on  the  paper.  British  agents  were  active  at  this  period  and,  no  doubt,  did 
all  in  their  power  to  foster  Black  Hawk's  discontent  and  antagonism  for  the 
Americans.  In  1810,  over  one  hundred  Sacs  visited  the  British  agent  at  Huron 
and  returned  with  presents,  stores,  rifles,  powder  and  lead.  Acting  on  the  ad- 
vice of  the  British,  Black  Hawk  joined  Tecumseh  against  General  Harrison 
in  1811.  On  his  return  from  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe,  Black  Hawk  attacked 
Fort  Madison,  on  the  Mississippi  River  below  Rock  Island.  Failing  to  take  the 
Fort  by  assault,  he  resorted  to  treachery  and  was  foiled  only  by  the  exposure 
of  the  plot  by  a  young  woman  who  had  formed  an  attachment  for  a  soldier 
in  the  Fort. 

During  the  War  of  1812,  after  the  surrender  of  Detroit  by  Hull,  Black  Hawk 
with  two  hundred  braves  joined  the  British  against  the  Americans.  He  was  as- 
signed as  aid  to  Tecumseh.  Evidently  he  did  not  relish  general,  open  war  on  the 
battlefield,  for  he  said  then  that  he  preferred  to  descend  the  Mississippi  River 
and  make  war  on  the  settlements.  He  soon  found,  to  his  sorrow,  that  the 
Americans  could  fight  although  the  British  had  told  him  they  would  not.  Be- 
cause the  British  met  with  poor  success  and  because  he  received  no  "plunder," 
he  returned  to  the  Rock  River  in  1814,  after  the  battle  of  the  Thames,  deserting 
in  the  night. 

Black  Hawk  now  satisfied  his  desire  to  slay  by  inciting  and  leading  raids 
against  defenseless  frontiers.  In  1814,  he  defeated  Major  Zachary  Taylor  and 
again  defeated  the  Americans  in  the  battle  of  the  Sink  Hole  in  1815.  At  Black 
Hawk's  instigation,  defenseless  men,  women  and  children  were  murdered  in  their 
homes  and  their  bodies  horribly  mutilated. 

Word  that  General  Andrew  Jackson  was  organizing  an  army  to  move  against 
the  Sacs,  brought  the  chiefs  to  terms  in  the  Treaty  Portage  des  Sioux  in  1815. 
This  treaty  ratified  the  treaty  of  1804.  Twenty  chiefs  signed  the  treaty  but 
Black  Hawk  again  gave  evidence  of  his  intense  bitterness  toward  the  Americans 
by  refusing  to  affix  his  mark.  The  next  year,  however,  1816,  he  signed  the 
Treaty  in  St.  Louis,  thus  ratifying  the  Treaty  of  Transfer  of  1804.  Later  the 
wily  old  malcontent  said  he  did  not  know  the  contents  of  the  treaty  he  had 
signed  and  would  not  obey  its  terms.  In  1820,  he  kept  the  British  flag  flying 
over  his  village.  In  1822,  24  and  25,  he  signed  other  treaties  all  of  which  recog- 
nized the  Cession  Treaty  of  1804. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  35 

In  1831,  Black  Hawk  crossed  into  Illinois.  General  Gaines  and  Governor 
Reynolds  cooperated  to  defend  the  settlements.  Volunteer  companies  were  or- 
ganized and  marched  from  Central  Illinois  to  the  Mississippi,  near  Rock  Island. 
Black  Hawk  quickly  came  to  terms  and  with  twenty-seven  chiefs  and  warriors 
representing  the  British  band,  some  Kickapoos,  Pottawattomies  and  Winne- 
bagoes,  and  the  United  Sacs  and  Fox  Nations.  In  this  treaty  Black  Hawk 
agreed  to  remain  west  of  the  Mississippi  in  lasting  friendship  with  the  United 
States.  His  women  and  children  were  destitute  and  General  Gaines  and  Gov. 
Reynolds  supplied  them  with  provisions  to  last  till  the  next  harvest. 

Soon  after  signing  the  treaty  of  June  30,  1831,  Black  Hawk  again  showed 
his  perfidy.  He  began  almost  at  once  to  attempt  to  organize  an  Indian  Con- 
federacy to  fight  the  whites.  His  emissaries,  besides  visiting  nearby  tribes,  were 
sent  to  Canada  and  as  far  south  as  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  One  of  his  emissaries, 
Neapope,  returning  from  Canada,  stopped  at  the  camp  of  the  Prophet  Wa-bo- 
ki-a-shiek,  on  Rock  River,  forty  miles  from  its  mouth.  After  going  through  his 
incantations,  the  prophet  saw  a  vision  and  said  "If  Black  Hawk  makes  war 
against  the  whites,  he  will  be  joined  by  the  Great  Spirit  and  by  a  great  army 
of  worldings,  and  will  vanquish  the  whites."  Thus  was  encouraged  the  spirit 
of  resistance  that  would  not  die  out  in  the  old  enemy  of  the  advancing  civilization. 

Against  the  advice  of  the  chiefs  of  both  Sacs  and  the  Foxes  and  in  viola- 
tion of  treaties  of  his  own  hand,  Black  Hawk  determined  to  return  to  Illinois 
in  the  spring  of  1832.  But  whatever  dreams  he  may  have  had  of  Tjeing  another 
Phillip  of  Pokanoket,  or  Pontiac,  or  Tecumseh,  vanished.  No  tribes  rallied 
about  his  standard.  His  failure  as  an  organizer  was  followed  by  an  ill-fated 
error  in  judgment.  With  a  few  hundred  of  his  British  band,  he  forced  the 
issue  against  overwhelming  odds  and  led  his  people  to  starvation,  defeat  and 
annihilation. 

This  was  Black  Hawk's  record  when,  in  1832,  he  recrossed  the  Mississippi 
with  his  five  hundred  men,  his  women  and  children,  and  took  possession  of 
lands  along  the  Rock  River.  By  numerous  treaties,  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  had 
agreed  to  retire  beyond  the  Mississippi.  These  tribes  had  taken  up  their  lands 
in  Iowa  and  for  the  most  part  had  remained  friends  of  the  Americans.  They 
had  received  $27,0x30.00  in  supplies — Black  Hawk  never  failing  to  take  his  share 
from  the  hated  Americans.  At  this  time,  1832,  he  was  advised  by  his  own  chiefs 
not  to  go  to  war  with  the  United  States.  He  was  not  a  chief,  only  a  brave  who 
was  always  able  to  rally  to  his  standard  the  discontented  warriors  who  were  bent 
on  plunder  and  murder.  He  was  a  chronic  grumbler,  a  mercenary  in  the  pay 
of  the  British,  fought  with  Tecumseh  at  Tippecanoe,  aided  the  British  in  the 
War  of  1812,  and  was  a  free  lance  among  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  whose  hands 
were  stained  with  the  blood  of  many  a  defenseless  frontier  family.  The  war 
he  chose  to  begin  in  1832  was  not  a  war  by  the  confederated  Sacs  and  Foxes,  but 
a  personal  campaign  by  Black  Hawk  and  his  British  band.  Nor  is  it  true  that 
he  was  a  patriot  fighting  for  the  possession  of  the  villages,  the  hunting  grounds 
and  the  burial  places  of  his  people ;  for  he,  himself,  says  he  offered  to  give  up  the 
Illinois  land  for  a  $10.000.00  cash  payment  to  himself — a  cheap  sort  of  pa- 
triotism. The  history  of  the  dealings  of  the  United  States  government  with  this 
Indian,  taken  together  with  his  own  statement,  leaves  no  ground  for  emotional 


36  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

sympathy  of  Americans  who  laud  him  and  flaunt  his  memory  before  us  by  erect- 
ing his  statue  in  public  places.  It  was  this  Black  Hawk  who  brought  about  this 
final  inevitable  conflict  in  1832  and  struck  terror  to  the  hearts  of  the  families  of 
the  pioneers  of  Northwestern  Illinois. 

FRONTIER  LIFE  IN  1832. 

A  few  illustrations  will  give  a  clear  portrayal  of  the  frontier  life  about  the 
borders  of  Stephenson  County  at  the  opening  of  Black  Hawk's  War.  The  set- 
tlers who  had  built  their  homes  in  Southern  Wisconsin,  in  Jo  Daviess  County  and 
along  the  Rock  River,  thus  bringing  civilization  to  our  doors,  were  not  strangers 
to  the  penalty  of  frontier  life  and  the  havoc  of  Indian  warfare.  The  family 
history  of  most  of  those  men  and  women  contained  many  a  sad  chapter  that  told 
of  murder  of  loved  ones  by  marauding  bands  of  stealthy  red  men.  Life  was  a 
stern  reality  to  these  people  who  lived,  for  the  most  part,  in  close  proximity  to 
forts  to  which  they  frequently  fled  to  escape  the  hatchet  and  the  scalping  knife. 
in  the  light  of  the  history  of  those  days,  the  attitude  of  the  men  of  that  day 
towards  the  Indians  is  not  difficult  to  understand.  General  A.  C.  Dodge  gives  a 
good  illustration.  In  a  public  address  he  said:  "In  the  settlement  of  Kentucky, 
five  of  my  father's  brothers  fell  under  the  Indian  hatchet.  I  saw  one  of  my 
uncles  bear  to  the  fort  on  horseback,  the  dead  and  bleeding  body  of  his  brother. 
My  own  brother,  Henry  LaFayette  Dodge,  was  burned  to  death  at  the  stake." 
In  those  days  in  Northwestern  Illinois  every  home  was  a  fort  and  the  farmers 
plowed  the  field  "with  a  rifle  lashed  to  the"  beam."  In  describing  the  life  of  the 
pioneers  in  his  "Sketches  of  the  West,"  James  Hall  says:  "They  left  behind 
them  all  the  comforts  of  life.  They  brought  but  little  furniture,  but  few  farm- 
ing implements  and  no  store  of  provisions.  At  first  they  depended  for  subsist- 
ence on  the  game  of  the  forest.  They  ate  fresh  meat  without  salt,  without  vege- 
tables and  often  without  bread ;  and  they  slept  in  cabins  hastily  erected,  of  green 
logs,  exposed  to  much  of  the  inclemency  of  the  weather.  They  found  them- 
selves assailed,  in  situations  where  medical  assistance  could  not  be  procured,  by 
diseases  of  sudden  development  and  fatal  in  character.  The  savage  was  watch- 
ing, with  malignant  vigilance,  to  grasp  every  opportunity  to  harass  the  intruder 
into  the  hunting  grounds  of  his  fathers.  Sometimes  he  contented  himself  by  seiz- 
ing the  horses  or  driving  away  the  cattle,  depriving  the  wretched  family  of  the 
means  of  support,  reserving  the  consumation  of  his  vengeance  to  a  future  oc- 
casion; sometimes  with  a  subtle  refinement  of  cruelty,  the  Indian  warrior  crept 
into  the  settlement  by  stealth,  and  created  universal  dismay  by  stealing  away  a 
child,  or  robbing  the  family  of  the  wife  and  mother;  sometimes  the  father  was 
the  victim  and  the  widow  and  the  orphans  were  thrown  on  the  protection  of 
friends  who  were  never  deaf  to  the  claims  of  the  unfortunate,  while  as  often 
the  yelling  band  surrounded  the  peaceful  cabin  at  the  midnight  hour,  applied 
the  fire  brand  to  the  slight  fabrics  and  murdered  the  whole  of  its  defenseless 
inmates." 

Not  far  from  Ottawa  occurred  the  "Big  Indian  Creek  Massacre,"  by  three 
of  Black  Hawk's  braves  and  seventy  Pottawattamies  and  Winnebagoes.  In  1830, 
William  Davis  had  built  a  cabin  and  set  up  a  blacksmith  shop  on  the  creek. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY  37 

Among  the  settlers  who  came  later  with  their  families,  were  John  and  J.  H. 
Henderson,  Allen  Howard,  William  Pettigrew  and  William  Hall.  Shabona, 
a  chief  of  the  Winnebagoes,  observed  the  plot  of  the  Indians  and  on  a  perilous 
ride,  warned  every  settler  and  hastened  to  the  fort  at  Ottawa.  But  the  warning 
was  not  heeded.  At  four  o'clock,  May  20,  1832,  the  savages  burst  into  the 
door  yards  of  the  settlements.  Pettigrew,  Hall  and  Norris  were  soon  killed, 
Davis  fought  to  the  end,  but  fell  at  last  in  a  determined  hand  to  hand  struggle. 
The  women  were  slaughtered  with  spears  and  knives  and  tomahawks,  the 
Indians  laughing  with  fiendish  glee,  as  they  afterwards  said,  because  the  women 
squawked  like  ducks  when  run  through  with  a  spear  or  stabbed  with  a  knife. 
One  Indian  seized  a  four  year  old  child  by  the  feet  and  dashed  its  brains  out 
on  a  stump.  Two  savages  held  the  hands  of  the  little  Davis  boy  while  another 
Indian  shot  him.  Two  boys  escaped  and  two  girls,  Rachel  and  Sylvia  Hall, 
aged  seventeen  and  fifteen  respectively,  were  carried  away  by  the  red  men. 
Settlers  at  Ottawa  returned  with  the  boys  the  next  day.  They  found  some 
with  their  hearts  cut  out  and  others  mutilated  beyond  description.  All  were 
buried  in  one  grave,  without  coffin  or  box.  Young  Hall  enlisted  in  a  company 
and  marched  through  Stephenson  County  in  search  of  his  sisters,  camping 
at  Kellog's  Grove.  After  a  terrible  experience  of  eleven  days,  the  girls  were 
rescued  on  June  ist. 

When  Black  Hawk  returned  in  1832,  Rev.  James  Sample  and  his  wife  fled 
over  the  old  Sauk  Trail,  but  were  overtaken  by  the  Indians.  The  preacher 
plead  in  vain  for  them  to  spare  his  wife.  Both  were  tied  to  trees,  fagots  were 
piled  about  them,  fire  was  kindled  and  as  the  victims  struggled  in  the  flames,  the 
red  men  danced  with  joy. 

Near  Gratiot's  Grove,  William  Aubrey  was  shot  from  ambush  by  a  party 
of  Sacs.  He  was  returning  from  a  spring  with  a  pail  of  water.  On  June  i4th, 
five  men — SpafFord,  Searles,  Spencer,  Mcllwaine,  and  an  Englishman — were 
murdered  and  their  bodies  mutilated  by  Indians,  six  miles  southeast  of  Fort 
Hamilton,  near  the  border  of  Stephenson  County,  on  Spafford's  farm. 

Mr.  Franklin  Reed  of  Pontiac  wrote  in  1877  about  the  fear  of  Indian  dep- 
redations. His  father  moved  to  Buffalo  Grove,  now  Polo,  111.,  in  1831,  built  a 
cabin  in  four  days,  put  out  a  garden  and  broke  the  prairie  for  crops.  Once  in 
1831,  the  family  fled  to  Apple  River  Fort  in  Jo  Daviess  County.  In  the  spring 
of  1832,  Black  Hawk's  warriors  were  again  prowling  around,  more  surly  than 
usual  and  the  family  fled  to  Dixon. 

Such  was  pioneer  life  in  Northwestern  Illinois,  when  Black  Hawk's  band  in 
small  parties  carried  pillage  and  murder  to  the  scattered  settlements.  Their 
depredations  extended  from  Rock  Island  to  Rockford  and  from  Ottawa  to 
Galena  and  to  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin.  The  issue  was  sharply  drawn.  The 
United  States  and  the  government  of  Illinois  must  drive  Black  Hawk  beyond 
the  Mississippi  or  the  settlers  must  continue  to  be  harassed  and  murdered  by  the 
Indians. 

When  the  old  Indian  crossed  into  Illinois  in  1832,  he  sent  word  to  General 
Atkinson  that  his  heart  was  bad  and  he  would  not  turn  back.  Gov.  Reynolds 
again  called  for  volunteers.  Throughout  Central  Illinois,  the  men  were  aroused. 
Companies  were  speedily  organized  and  marched  to  Beardstown.  Some  were  ex- 


38  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

perienced  Indian  fighters,  but  many  were  young  men  anxious  as  they  said  to  kill 
"Injins."  Many  of  the  volunteers  furnished  their  own  horses,  guns  and  am- 
munition. The  companies  elected  their  officers  and  marched  to  Dixon.  They 
were  the  most  independent  men  on  earth  but  wholly  lacking  in  discipline.  Im- 
petuous and  headstrong,  it  was  impossible  for  the  Governor  and  the  officers  to 
organize  them  into  an  efficient  fighting  force,  or  to  restrain  them  from  a  rash 
advance  into  the  enemy's  country.  They  fought  their  "Bull  Run"  and  learned 
an  expensive  lesson  in  Stillman's  Defeat  at  Old  Man's  Creek  in  LaSalle  County, 
the  night  of  the  I4th  of  May,  1832. 

Unable  to  hold  the  volunteers  in  check,  Gov.  Reynolds  and  Gen.  White- 
side  gave  orders  for  an  advance  up  the  Rock  River  by  a  detachment  under 
Majors  Stillman  and  Bailey,  May  12,  1832.  While  at  supper  on  the  I4th  a  few 
Indians  appeared,  and  without  waiting  for  orders,  or  rather  in  defiance  of  orders; 
the  soldiers  in  twos  and  threes  gave  chase  as  fast  as  they  could  mount.  The 
camp  was  soon  in  general  disorder,  the  officers  having  lost  control  and  the  .men 
were  straggling  out  over  two  or  three  miles  after  the  red  skins,  each  volunteer 
anxious  to  shoot  an  "Injin."  It  was  the  same  old  story  of  Indian  strategy — the 
decoys,  the  ambush,  and  the  defeat.  Suddenly  Black  Hawk's  warriors  burst 
upon  the  disorganized  volunteers  in  force  and  terrifying  war  whoops  drove  the 
stragglers  pell  mell  back  through  the  camp  and  stampeded  the  main  body  of 
volunteers.  The  detachment  beat  a  hasty  and  disorderly  retreat  to  Dixon,  leav- 
ing eleven  dead  upon  the  field  of  battle.  The  Indians  scalped  the  dead  and  cut 
off  some  of  their  heads. 

From  this  time  on,  it  was  not  a  question  of  going  on  a  lark  to  kill  "Injins." 
After  Stillman's  defeat,  Black  Hawk's  war  became  serious  business.  Gov.  Rey- 
nolds called  for  two  thousand  volunteers,  and  General  Atkinson  of  the  United 
States  Army  took  command.  Three  Southerners,  destined  to  become  dis- 
tinguished men,  entered  the  service  and  reported  to  Gen.  Atkinson,  Major 
Zachary  Taylor,  Albert  Sidney  Johnston  and  Jefferson  Davis.  Lieutenant  Jef- 
ferson Davis  marched  through  Stephenson  County,  camping  at  Kellog's  Grove 
(Timm's  Grove)  with  a  detachment  to  aid  Colonel  Strode  at  Galena.  Major 
Taylor  and  Albert  Sidney  Johnston  served  throughout  the  war  and  more  than 
once  passed  through  Stephenson  County,  camping  at  Kellog's  Grove. 

May  19,  1832,  Colonel  Strode  started  a  small  detachment  under  command 
of  Sergeant  Fred  Stahl,  from  Galena  with  dispatches  to  General  Atkinson  at 
Dixon.  They  followed  Kellog's  Trail  through  this  county.  At  Buffalo  Grove, 
near  Polo,  they  were  attacked  by  Indians.  The  Indians  were  repulsed,  but 
William  Durley  was  left  dead  on  the  field. 

On  May  23d,  General  Atkinson  sent  Felix  St.  Vrain,  the  Indian  agent,  with 
despatches  to  Fort  Armstrong,  at  Rock  Island.  St.  Vrain  and  his  party,  con- 
sisting of  Aaron  Hawley,  Aquilla  Floyd,  William  Hale,  Thomas  Kenney,  John 
Fowler  and  Alexander  Higginbotham,  were  to  go  via  Kellog's  Grove  to  Galena 
and  thence  down  the  Mississippi  to  Fort  Armstrong.  About  fourteen  miles 
from  Buffalo  Grove,  not  far  from  Kellog's  Grove,  they  met  a  party  of  Sac  In- 
dians under  command  of  "Little  Bear"  who  had  been  an  intimate  friend  of  St. 
Vrain.  Because  of  this  friendship,  the  party  felt  they  had  little  to  fear,  but  to 
the  surprise  of  all  the  "Little  Bear"  and  his  warriors  showed  signs  of  hostility 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  39 

and  were  evidently  preparing  to  murder  the  entire  party.  The  only  chance  of 
the  seven  men  against  thirty  braves  lay  in  flight,  and  each  white  man  put  his 
spurs  to  his  horse  and  made  an  independent  daring  dash  for  life.  Fowler, 
Hale,  Hawley  and  St.  Vrain  were  killed.  Floyd,  Kenney  and  Higginbotham 
escaped  only  to  meet  another  band  of  Indians  soon  after.  From  this  band  they 
also  escaped,  after  an  exciting  chase  for  several  miles.  At  Brush  Creek,  they 
were  attacked  again,  but  hiding  by  day  and  moving  by  night,  they  made  their 
way  finally  to  Galena.  Felix  St.  Vrain  was  a  Frenchman,  whose  grandfather 
left  France  for  Louisiana  during  the  reign  of  terror.  His  father  was  an 
officer  in  the  French  navy  and  his  brother  was  one  time  governor  of  Upper 
Louisiana.  After  the  Louisiana  purchase  in  1803,  Felix  St.  Vrain  cast  his  lot 
with  the  United  States,  and  was  a  brave,  tactful  and  trusted  Indian  agent  for 
the  Sacs  and  Foxes  at  Fort  Armstrong.  The  sullen  Black  Hawk  had  put  the 
death  mark  upon  him  and  "Little  Bear"  and  his  party  had  carried  it  into 
execution. 

After  killing  the  three  men,  the  savages  cut  off  the  head,  arms  and  feet  of 
St.  Vrain.  They  cut  out  his  heart  and  passed  it  around  in  pieces  to  be  eaten 
by  the  Indians  who  were  intoxicated  with  joy  because  they  had  eaten  the  heart 
of  one  of  the  bravest  of  Americans. 

General  Atkinson  sent  out  Captain  lies  company  July  8th  to  keep  the  way 
clear  from  Dixon  to  Galena  along  Kellog's  Trail.  This  company  buried  St. 
Vrain,  Fowler,  Hale  and  Hall  near  the  present  site  of  the  Black  Hawk  monu- 
ment at  Timm's  Grove.  The  company  reached  Galena  July  loth.  In  this  com- 
pany, on  this  march  through  Stephenson  County,  was  Abraham  Lincoln,  a  pri- 
vate from  Old  Salem,  now  Petersburg,  111.  The  mustering  officer  who  mus- 
tered the  company  in  and  out  of  the  service  was  Robert  Anderson,  who  was 
later  compelled  to  surrender  Fort  Sumter. 

Kellog's  Grove,  or  Timm's  Grove  in  Stephenson  County,  was  the  central 
strategic  point  in  this  war.  Located  on  Kellog's  Trail,  thirty-five  miles  from 
Galena  and  thirty-seven  miles  from  Dixon,  its  possession  meant  the  right  of  way 
between  the  leading  mine  settlements  about  Galena  and  Fort  Hamilton,  and 
the  settlement  about  Dixon.  It  was  a  midway  point  between  Fort  Winnebago 
and  Fort  Armstrong.  If  Black  Hawk  could  hold  the  cabins  at  Kellog's  Grove, 
he  could  send  out  his  bands  on  any  radius,  striking  terror  and  murder  into 
the  white  settlements  and  getting  away  before  the  United  States  troops  could 
concentrate  for  attack.  It  was  a  vital  part  of  the  plans  of  General  Atkinson 
to  hold  Kellog's  Grove  and  keep  the  trail  open.  The  trail  had  been  blazed  by 
O.  W.  Kellog  in  1827.  He  built  the  cabins  at  Kellog's  Grove,  the  first  buildings 
erected  in  Stephenson  County  and  lived  there  till  1831.  The  cabins  were  built 
end  to  end,  about  seven  feet  high  and  covered  with  basswood  bark. 

General  Atkinson  decided  to  make  Kellog's  cabins  a  base  of  operations  be- 
tween Galena  and  Dixon.  For  this  purpose,  he  sent  out  Captain  Adam  Snyder's 
company  and  two  companies  of  regulars.  They  reached  Kellog's  Grove 
June  I2th.  Captain  Snyder  pushed  on  to  Galena  on  the  I3th  and  returned  to 
the  grove  the  next  day.  Sentinels  were  posted  about  the  cabins.  On  the  night 
of  the  1 5th,  during  a  storm,  Indians  approached.  The  night  was  dark  and  an 
Indian  had  crawled  to  within  a  few  feet  of  a  sentinel  who  saw  the  red  skin 


40  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

by  the  light  of  a  flash  of  lightning.  The  Sentinel  and  the  Indian  clinched  in  a 
hand  to  hand  conflict.  The  white  man  was  strong  and  was  overcoming  the 
Indian.  Another  flash  of  lightning  saved  the  brave  picket,  for  nearby  he  saw 
three  other  Indians  approaching.  Throwing  his  combatant  to  the  ground,  he 
ran  to  the  cabin  and  shouted  the  alarm.  All  through  the  night,  the  Indians 
prowled  around  the  cabins  and  all  night  long  the  men  within  were  held  in  readi- 
ness to  ward  off  the  attack. 

The  next  morning,  the  i6th  of  June,  the  Indians  had  withdrawn  and  Captain 
Snyder  followed  their  trail  in  pursuit.  After  pursuing  the  Indians'  trail  several 
miles,  Captain  Snyder  came  upon  four  of  them  in  a  deep  ravine  about  three 
miles  from  Kellog's  cabins.  He  charged  the  red  men,  killing  all  four,  losing  one 
man  mortally  wounded,  William  B.  Meconson,  who  was  shot  twice  in  this  fierce 
hand  to  hand  encounter.  Captain  Snyder's  men  now  started  for  the  camp, 
carrying  Meconson  on  a  litter.  The  dying  man  begged  for  water  and  two  de- 
tachments were  sent  out  to  search  for  it.  One  squad,  composed  of  Dr.  Richard 
Roman,  Benjamin  Scott,  the  drummer  boy,  Corporal  Benjamin  McDaniels,  Dr. 
Francis  Jarritt  and  Dr.  McTy  Cornelius,  was  attacked  by  a  large  party  of  In- 
dians concealed  in  bushes  in  a  ravine  at  the  end  of  a  ridge  which  the  men  were 
descending.  Benjamin  Scott  and  Benjamin  McDaniels  were  instantly  killed  and 
Dr.  Cornelius  was  slightly  wounded.  Roman,  Jarritt,  and  Cornelius  beat  a  hasty 
retreat  with  over  fifty  savages  in  mad  pursuit.  With  murderous  yells,  they  came 
upon  the  dying  Meconson  and  cut  off  his  head.  Snyder's  men  were  scattered 
and  fought  at  a  great  disadvantage.  They  soon  closed  up  and  engaged  the 
Indians  in  a  pitched  battle,  checking  their  pursuit.  In  this  battle,  the  leader 
of  the  Indians  mounted  on  a  white  horse  exhibited  great  skill  and  courage  riding 
to  and  fro  among  his  men,  directing  the  conflict.  The  aim  of  the  pioneer  soldiers 
was  good  and  the  red  men  were  repulsed.  A  riderless  white  horse,  wander- 
ing about  the  battlefield,  plainly  showed  that  the  Indian  leader  had  been  killed. 
Without  a  leader,  the  red  men  retreated  and  Captain  Snyder  held  his  ground. 

Early  in  this  fray,  Major  Thomas  had  volunteered  to  ride  alone  to  Kellog's 
Grove  for  reinforcements,  an  errand  full  of  danger,  one  of  many  evidences  of 
heroism  in  this  campaign.  Just  as  the  battle  was  over,  he  returned  with  rein- 
forcements. Night  was  approaching  and  reluctantly  Captain  Snyder  aban- 
doned the  pursuit  and  returned  to  camp  at  Kellog's  cabins. 

The  next  day,  the  i6th,  Captain  Snyder  made  a  vain  attempt  to  find  the  In- 
dians and  to  continue  the  fight.  He  buried  the  dead,  and  in  a  few  days  returned 
to  Dixon  where  his  company  was  mustered  out.  New  levies  had  arrived  to  take 
the  places  of  the  men  and  keep  up  the  war. 

Captain  Adam  Snyder  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  had  walked  to 
Illinois  in  1817.  He  was  elected  to  congress  in  1836,  was  presidential  elector 
in  1840,  and  was  nominated  for  governor  in  1841,  and  would  have  been  elected 
had  he  not  died  during  the  campaign.  Governor  Ford  who  took  his  place  was 
elected. 

At  this  stage  of  the  war,  the  most  effective  service  was  rendered  by  small 
companies  of  "rangers,"  the  rough  riders  of  that  day.  The  most  distinguished 
of  these  leaders  were  Colonel  Henry  Gratiot,  Colonel  Dodge,  Captain  J.  W. 
Stephenson,  and  Colonel  Hamilton,  son  of  the  great  Alexander  Hamilton,  first 


Cedarville  Bridge 


Falls  Above  the  Dam.  Cedarville 


Cedarville  View 


Near  Old  Settlers  Grounds.  Cedarville 


UiiRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVEKSITV  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  41 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States.  Owing  to  the  slow  movements 
of  the  regular  army  and  the  short  enlistments  of  the  volunteers,  these  "rangers" 
alone  stood  between  the  settlements  and  the  murderous  bands  sent  out  by  Black 
Hawk.  Located  not  far  from  Kellog's  Grove,  the  crafty  old  Indian  was  strik- 
ing in  all  directions  at  the  settlements  between  the  Rock  River  and  the  Wisconsin. 
Simultaneous  attacks  in  distant  parts  of  the  war  zone  made  effective  work  by  a 
large  force  impossible.  The  marauding  Indians  kept  the  settlers  well  within 
the  forts,  stole  their  horses,  burned  their  cabins  and  waiting  in  ambush,  shot 
and  scalped  defenseless  men. 

The  Winnebagoes  too  were  restless.  Black  Hawk  used  threats  and  diplomacy 
to  drive  these  more  peaceable  Indians  into  the  conflict  on  his  side.  In  protecting 
the  stockade  forts  and  the  property  and  lives  of  the  scattered  settlements,  the 
fearless  rangers  of  Dodge,  Hamilton,  Gratiot  and  Stephenson  were  noted  for  the 
swiftness  of  forced  marches  and  for  prowess  in  Indian  warfare.  Combining  di- 
plomacy and  daring,  these  men  kept  the  Winnebagoes  neutral.  On  one  occasion 
when  the  Winnebagoes  manifested  signs  of  flight,  Colonel  Dodge  and  Captain 
J.  B.  Gratiot  walked  alone  into  the  Indian  camp  and  took  away  with  them  the 
chief  "White  Crow"  and  five  others  as  hostages.  An  illustration  will  show  the 
rapid  movement  of  these  rough  riders.  On  the  8th  of  June,  Colonel  Dodge  left 
Gratiot's  Grove,  Wisconsin ;  the  gth,  he  was  at  Kellog's  Grove,  Stephenson 
County,  Illinois ;  the  loth,  he  was  at  Dixon ;  the  i  ith,  he  was  at  Ottawa  confer- 
ring with  General  Atkinson  and  General  Brady ;  at  midnight,  he  was  in  Dixon 
again;  the  i2th,  he  camped  at  Kellog's  Grove  and  the  I3th,  he  returned  to 
Gratiot's  Grove. 


BATTLE  OF   THE  ,  PECATONICA. 

On  the  i6th  of  June,  Henry  Appel  was  waylaid  and  shot  by  a  band  of  In- 
dians near  his  cabin  not  far  from  Fort  Hamilton.  Colonel  Dodge  was  soon  in 
hot  pursuit.  The  Indians  crossed  the  Pecatonica,  not  far  from  the  Stephen- 
son  County  line,  about  thirty  minutes  ahead  of  Dodge  and  his  detachment 
of  twenty-nine  men.  Colonel  Dodge's  own  account  of  this  battle  is  as  fol- 
lows :  "After  crossing  the  Pecatonica  in  the  open  ground,  I  dismounted  my 
men,  linked  my  horses,  left  four  men  in  charge  of  them  and  sent  four  men 
in  different  directions  to  watch  for  the  movement  of  the  Indians,  if  they 
should  atempt  to  swim  the  Pecatonica ;  the  men  were  placed  on  high  points 
that  would  give  a  good  view  of  the  enemy,  should  they  attempt  to  retreat.  I 
formed  my  men  on  foot  at  open  order  and  at  trailed  arms,  and  we  marched 
through  the  swamps  to  some  timber  and  undergrowth,  where  I  expected  to  find 
the  enemy.  When  I  found  their  trail,  I  knew  they  were  close  at  hand.  They 
had  got  close  to  the  edge  of  a  lake  where  the  banks  were  about  six  feet  high, 
which  was  a  complete  breastwork  for  them.  They  commenced  the  fire  when  three 
of  my  men  fell,  two  dangerously  wounded,  one  severely  but  not  dangerously.  I 
instantly  ordered  a  charge  on  them  by  my  eighteen  men,  which  was  promptly 
obeyed.  The  Indians  being  under  the  bank,  our  guns  were  brought  to  within 
ten  or  fifteen  feet  of  them  before  we  could  fire  upon  them.  Their  party  con- 
sisted of  thirteen  men.  Eleven  were  killed  on  the  spot  and  the  remaining  two 


42  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

were  killed  in  crossing  the  lake,  so  they  were  left  without  one  to  carry  the  news 
to  their  friends."  Bouchard  says  there  were  seventeen  Indians,  a  French  trap- 
per and  Colonel  Hamilton  having  found  later  the  bodies  of  four  other  Indians  in 
the  swamp.  This  battle  of  the  Pecatonica  was  a  type  of  warfare  waged  by  the 
rangers.  The  slow  work  of  the  muzzle  loaders  and  the  uncertainty  of  the  flint- 
locks, caused  many  a  battle  to  be  decided  by  hand  to  hand  encounters  in  which 
the  determination  of  the  white  men  more  than  matched  the  cunning  of  the  Indian. 
If  these  rangers  were  heroic,  their  wives  who  remained  in  the  stockades  were 
no  less  so.  Mrs.  Dodge  was  urged  to  go  to  Galena  for  safety,  but  she  replied: 
"My  husband  and  sons  are  between  me  and  the  Indians.  I  am  safe  as  long  as 
they  live." 

Black  Hawk's  band  made  a  specialty  of  stealing  horses.  If  the  owner  pur- 
sued, he  was  ambushed,  shot  and  scalped.  On  June  8th,  the  Indians  got  away 
with  fourteen  horses  near  the  stockade  at  Apple  River  Fort,  now  Elizabeth, 
Illinois.  A  few  days  later,  ten  more  were  stolen.  Captain  J.  W.  Stephenson 
with  twenty-one  men  went  out  to  chastise  the  Indians  and  recover  the  stolen 
horses. 

CAPTAIN  STEPHENSON'S  BATTLE. 

Captain  Stephenson  struck  the  trail  the  morning  of  June  i8th  and  overtook 
the  Indians  on  Yellow  Creek  about  twelve  miles  east  of  Kellog's  Grove  in 
Stephenson  County.  The  Indians  were  driven  in  a  mad  chase  for  several  miles 
and  finally  secreted  themselves  in  a  dense  thicket,  northeast  of  Waddams  Grove. 
Stephenson's  men  fired  into  the  thicket,  but  the  crafty  red  skins  refused  to  expose 
their  location  by  returning  the  fire.  Stephenson  left  a  guard  for  his  horses  and 
charged  with  his  men  into  the  thicket,  each  side  losing  one  man  in  the  encoun- 
ter. Twice  more  Captain  Stephenson  charged  the  hidden  foe,  losing  a  man  each 
time.  After  the  first  volley  on  the  third  assault,  the  whites  and  the  Indians 
fought  at  close  range.  Captain  Stephenson  finally  withdrew,  so  severely  wounded 
that  he  could  not  continue  in  charge  of  his  men.  Stephen  P.  Howard,  Charles 
Eames  and  Michael  Lovell  were  killed.  The  Indians  lost  only  the  one  man,  and 
he  was  stabbed  in  the  neck  by  Thomas  Sublet.  "This  battle,"  says  Governor 
Ford,  "equaled  anything  in  modern  warfare  in  daring  and  desperate  courage." 

Colonel  Strode  marched  with  two  companies  to  the  scene  of  the  battle  and 
buried  the  dead  June  2Oth.  This  notable  struggle  occurred  between  Waddams 
and  McConnell.  The  country  later  was  settled  up  and  the  graves  were  on  the 
road  side.  The  graves  were  opened,  and  the  bones  of  the  three  heroes  were 
removed  to  Kellog's  Grove  and  buried  at  the  foot  of  the  monument  to  the  heroes 
of  the  Black  Hawk  War.  This  recognition  was  due  entirely  to  the  zeal  and  pa- 
triotism of  Mr.  J.  B.  Timms,  the  present  owner  of  Kellog's  Grove. 

Hamilton,  Dodge,  Gratiot  and  Stephenson  fought  with  the  courage  and  ef- 
fectiveness of  Morgan,  Wayne  and  Stark,  and  of  Sumpter,  Marion  and  Pickens 
of  the  Revolution.  They  were  the  minute  men  of  their  day.  Stephenson  County 
can  well  afford  to  erect  in  appropriate  places  statues  in  memory  of  the  daring 
leaders  of  the  "rangers"  and  to  the  sturdy  riflemen  who  followed  them  with 
the  old  flintlock ;  statues  that  will  teach  generation  after  generation  of  the  heroic 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  43 

spirits  who  stood  between  the  settlers  and  the  firebrand  and  scalping  knife  of  a 
relentless  foe,  and  thus  made  possible  the  safe  and  quiet  pursuits  of  civil  life. 

June  24,  1832,  about  two  hundred  Indians  attacked  Apple  River  Fort,  now 
Elizabeth,  just  over  in  Jo  Daviess  County.  All  the  settlers  got  within  the  fort 
except  Frederick  Dickson,  who  found  the  door  barred  just  as  he  arrived.  The 
savages  were  close  upon  him  and  he  fled  into  the  forest  at  once.  He  abandoned 
his  horse  into  the  darkness,  dashed  past  the  outposts  of  bloodthirsty  Indians 
safely.  The  Indians  were  hungry  and  made  a  determined  attack  on  the  fort. 
Inside  the  fort,  a  brave  frontier  woman  kept  up  the  fighting  spirit  of  the  occu- 
pants by  cheering  on  the  men.  She  proved  a  woman's  usefulness  by  having 
one  squad  of  women  mold  bullets  while  another  reloaded  the  rifles  for  the  men. 
The  Indians  were  repulsed  with  loss  at  every  attack.  But  if  aid  did  not  appear 
from  Galena,  the  fort  must  fall.  Early  that  night,  Kirkpatrick,  a  boy,  determined 
to  run  the  gauntlet  and  ride  to  Galena  for  aid,  for  he  feared  Dixon  had  been 
slain.  The  heavy  gates  swung  out  and  all  alone  young  Kirkpatrick  plunged 
his  horse  into  the  darkness,  dashed  past  the  outposts  of  blood  thirsty  Indians 
and  pushed  his  way  through  twelve  miles  of  dark  wilderness  to  Galena — a  ride 
more  daring  far  than  that  of  a  Paul  Revere.  As  he  arrived  at  Galena,  he  met 
Colonel  Strode  and  Dixon  on  the  march  to  the  fort's  relief.  The  Indians,  know- 
ing that  Strode  and  Stephenson  would  soon  be  upon  them,  beat  a  sullen  retreat 
and  next  day  attacked  Colonel  Dement  at  Kellog's  Grove.  Once  more  the 
stealth  of  Black  Hawk's  men  with  scalping  knife  and  British  rifles  was  more 
than  matched  by  the  front  line  of  pioneers  with  a  valor  that  reckoned  life  after 
duty. 

The  great  difficulty  still  was  to  keep  open  the  line  of  communication  between 
Dixon  and  Galena.  Reports  from  the  scouts  showed  that  Black  Hawk  had 
moved  his  main  army  from  the  Rock  River  into  Stephenson  County,  near 
Kellog's  Grove.  On  June  23d,  Major  Dement's  battalion  was  ordered  by  Colonel 
Zachary  Taylor  to  march  to  Kellog's  Grove.  The  battalion  arrived  that  night 
and  the  following  day  hunted  about  the  Grove.  Colonel  Dement  and  his  men 
were  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  Black  Hawk  was  near  by,  planning  to  capture 
the  army  supplies,  which  he  knew  were  stored  in  the  cabins. 

Only  great  courage  and  a  knowledge  of  Indian  ways  and  wood  craft,  pre- 
vented a  surprise  and  probable  massacre  of  the  party.  While  on  a  scouting  trip, 
men  from  Captain  Funk's  fort  had  discovered  a  heavy  trail  leading  from  Apple 
River  Fort  in  the  direction  of  Kellog's  Grove.  Black  Hawk  had  united  h's 
army  and  evidently  intended  to  attack  Kellog's  Grove.  But  the  uncertainty — 
just  where  the  wily  old  leader  would  strike,  was  always  one  of  the  hazards 
of  the  war.  Captain  Funk  was  skilled  in  wood  craft  and  Indian  tactics.  He 
readily  inferred  that  Black  Hawk  intended  to  strike  unexpectedly  at  Kellog's 
Grove,  massacre  the  garrison  and  capture  the  stores  his  people  so  much  needed. 

Funk's  Fort  was  a  stockade  built  around  a  double  log  cabin,  garrisoned  by 
about  twenty-five  men.  It  was  located  over  the  line  in  Wisconsin  on  the  trail 
from  Kellog's  Grove  to  Mineral  Point.  In  the  fort  at  this  time  was  Mr.  J.  B. 
Timms,  the  present  owner  of  Kellog's  Grove.  He  was  but  a  child,  his  father 
and  mother  having  sought  safety  in  the  fort  after  the  Indians  became  trouble- 
some on  the  Apple  River.  In  resisting  an  attack  on  Funk's  Fort,  his  father 


44  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

fought  at  the  stockade,  his  mother  moulded  bullets  and  he  rendered  such  service 
as  a  child  could. 

A  frontiersman,  Captain  Funk  instinctively  determined  that  a  warning  must 
be  rushed  to  Kellog's  Grove.  He  called  for  volunteers  for  the  perilous  jour- 
ney, for  Black  Hawk's  band  covered  the  trail.  The  risk  and  the  necessity  were 
so  great  that  Captain  Funk  announced  that  he  intended  to  go  himself  and  Jake 
DeVall,  one  of  his  trusted  scouts,  stepped  to  his  side.  The  pioneers  of  the  fort 
cheered  the  men  whose  courage  was  equal  to  their  sense  of  duty. 

Tomorrow  would  not  do.  No  time  was  to  be  lost.  All  the  interest  in  the 
fort  centered  in  the  preparation  of  the  couriers  for  the  dangerous  journey. 
Mounted  on  the  best  horses  and  armed  in  the  best  fashion,  the  two  heroes  rode 
out  at  sunset  to  carry  the  message  to  Kellog's  Grove.  On  they  rode  through 
the  wilderness  into  the  middle  of  the  night.  Sometimes  slow,  sometimes  fast, 
over  the  ridges,  down  through  the  valley,  across  ravines,  through  the  thickets 
and  underbrush,  they  pushed  steadily  on,  always  aware  of  the  danger  of  ambush 
by  a  lurking  foe.  Or  surrounded  maybe  by  the  murderous  red  men,  they  would 
fire  the  flintlocks — then  the  hand  to  hand  encounter,  the  tomahawk  and  the 
scalping  knife.  But  though  dangers  multiplied  as  they  advanced,  they  kept 
steadfastly  towards  the  goal. 

In  telling  of  this  ride  with  death,  Captain  Funk  said :  "The  first  signs  we 
had  of  Indians  while  on  this  midnight  ride  was  not  until  we  approached  the 
cabins  at  Kellog's  Grove,  while  passing  a  thicket  one  mile  to  the  west  of  the 
grove,  at  about  one  o'clock.  Here  the  mare  I  rode  threw  up  her  head  and 
sniffed  the  air.  She  became  very  much  excited,  snorting  and  becoming  almost 
unmanageable.  I  said  to  DeVall,  "There  are  Indians  in  that  thicket.  This  mare 
will  smell  one  half  a  mile  away."  We  lost  no  time  in  reaching  the  top  of  the 
hill  (where  Black  Hawk  Monument  now  stands),  overlooking  the  cabins  a 
few  rods  below  at  the  foot  of  the  slope.  I  called  in  a  loud  voice  but  received 
no  answer.  I  shouted  louder,  and  this  time  received  a  response  from  within, 
which  proved  to  be  the  voice  of  Major  Dement.  Making  ourselves  known, 
we  thus  made  it  safe  to  approach  the  cabins,  which  we  lost  no  time  in  doing. 
We  could  not  know  how  soon  the  crack  of  a  rifle  might  ring  out,  or  in  what 
proximity  the  foe  was  hiding.  Everything  pointed  towards  haste  and  vigilance 
for  those  who  had  a  regard  for  their  scalps." 

Captain  Funk  and  DeVall  were  met  at  the  door  by  Major  Dement  who 
was  at  once  informed  of  his  dangerous  situation.  The  messengers  were  delighted 
to  learn  that,  instead  of  fifteen  men,  the  detachment  consisted  of  over  two  hun- 
dred with  officers  in  charge.  Although  one  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  cabins  were  soon 
astir  with  military  activity.  The  men  were  in  a  high  state  of  tensfon,  anxious 
for  a  clash  with  Black  Hawk's  British  band.  Most  of  the  troops  were  fresh 
recruits,  mustered  in  only  eight  days  before.  Many  were  short  term  enlist- 
ments, out  on  a  lark  fighting  "Injins."  Except  in  the  minds  of  a  few  old  In- 
dian fighters,  there  was  little  seriousness  in  the  camp  of  volunteers. 

Black  Hawk,  the  wily  old  strategist,  had  laid  his  plans  to  capture  the  entire 
party.  He  was  in  a  surly  mood  because  he  had  been  repulsed  the  day  before  at 
Apple  River  Fort.  His  braves  were  stationed  at  every  point  of  vantage  over- 
looking the  camp.  Dement's  men  were  surrounded  by  a  determined  foe,  crouch- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  45 

ing,  ready  for  the  surprise  of  an  unexpected  assault.  As  Black  Hawk  observed 
the  movements  of  Dement's  men,  he  did  not  fail  to  notice  the  weakness  that 
lost  many  a  battle  to  the  volunteers,  the  lack  of  discipline,  over-confidence  and 
failure  to  estimate  correctly  the  fighting  qualities  of  the  Indian.  Many  of  those 
lads  from  the  farms  of  central  Illinois,  thought  that  they  had  only  to  march 
out  in  line  of  battle  to  see  the  redskins  take  to  their  heels. 

When  Captain  Funk  told  Major  Dement  that  he  was  surrounded  by  Black 
Hawk  and  outnumbered  two  to  one,  Dement  called  a  council  of  war  and  the 
entire  command  was  carefully  instructed  in  plans  for  defense.  At  daybreak, 
the  Major  sent  out  a  scouting  party  of  twenty-five  men  to  verify  Funk's  report. 
In  a  short  time,  a  messenger  came  in  at  full  speed  with  the  exciting  news  that 
several  Indians  were  in  sight.  As  the  scout  in  a  loud  voice  shouted,  "Fivi. 
Indians  in  sight,"  the  whole  camp  was  at  once  in  commotion.  About  this  time 
on  the  hill  overlooking  the  camp,  a  group  of  Black  Hawk's  men  appeared. 
Everywhere  was  pandemonium,  the  anxious,  undisciplined  volunteers  saddling 
their  horses  in  haste  to  be  the  first  to  get  a  shot  at  the  Indians.  As  fast  as 
they  could  mount,  disobeying  orders,  they  set  off  in  twos  and  threes  in  a  mad 
rush  to  get  a  chance  at  the  red  men  before  the  battle  was  over. 

It  was  said  that  Captain  Funk  at  this  point  urged  Dement  to  form  his  men 
in  line  of  battle,  as  not  five  Indians  but  Black  Hawk's  main  army  was  in  the 
thicket  below.  A  private,  with  rifle  in  hand,  overheard  that  remark  and  sneer- 
ingly  said :  "That  scout  thinks  there  is  an  Indian  for  every  tree  and  stump  in 
the  grove."  Captain  Funk  replied,  "My  good  fellow,  I  am  afraid  you  will  think 
so  too  before  night."  The  prophet  was  soon  to  be  honored  in  his  own  country. 
Kellog's  Grove  was  a  characteristic  frontier  battlefield.  The  ridge  swerves 
to  the  south  about  two  miles  west  of  the  cabins.  At  that  point  is  a  ravine  run- 
ning to  the  southeast.  Between  the  ridge  and  the  ravine  was  a  dense  thicket, 
V  shaped,  the  point  to  the  west. 

In  this  V  shaped  thicket,  Black  Hawk  concealed  the  main  body  of  his 
braves,  hidden  by  the  dense  underbrush.  The  sixty-five  year  old  Indian  gave 
final  directions  to  his  aids,  and  riding  here  and  there  among  his  men,  per- 
sonally directed  the  strategy  by  which  he  hoped  to  destroy  Dement's  troops. 
The  Indian  warriors,  bedaubed  with  paint  and  smeared  with  grease,  with  feath- 
ers in  their  scalplocks,  were  stirred  into  a  feverish  valor,  ready  to  spring  uwm. 
the  unsuspecting  battalions.  It  was  the  same  old  plan,  Stillman's  defeat  over 
again.  The  crafty  old  enemy  of  the  Americans  had  set  his  trap — had  then  seru 
out  the  five  Indians  on  swift  ponies,  as  a  decoy  to  lure  the  troops  of  Major 
Dement  into  the  skillfully  planned  ambuscade. 

Captain  Funk  says,  that  after  he  had  advised  Major  Dement,  he  went  to 
the  top  of  the  hill  where  he  could  watch  the  progress  of  the  battle.  The  Major 
soon  found  that  he  could  not  keep  his  forces  in  order.  In  a  few  moments,  a 
large  part  of  his  men  were  strung  out  over  the  ridge,  riding  as  swiftly  as  pos- 
sible in  pursuit  of  the  decoys  and  into  the  trap.  The  only  rule  of  battle  was 
that  they  who  had  the  swiftest  horses  were  in  the  lead,  the  others  following 
in  small  groups.  As  soon  as  the  first  of  Dement's  men  approached,  the  In- 
dian scouts  had  wheeled  their  ponies  and  riding  like  the  wind  trailed  the  in- 
experienced volunteers  into  the  ambuscade.  Dement's  men  had  followed  in  close 


46  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

pursuit  and  when  they  were  well  within  the  enetny's  lines,  a  heavy  volley  of 
shot  blazed  from  the  thickets,  and  from  every  side  Indians  sprang  upon  them 
with  murderous  yells.  Two  men  were  killed  and  almost  in  an  instant  Dement's 
horsemen  wheeled  about  and  began  a  fierce  race  for  life.  The  foremost  rider 
ran  his  horse  through  the  ambuscade  and  back  again  with  only  a  bullet  through 
his  thigh.  The  rout  was  complete,  the  fun  of  fighting  "Injins"  was  over  and 
the  disorganized  condition  of  the  forces  of  Dement  presented  a  sad  spectacle. 
Along  the  ridge,  some  of  Dement's  men  were  riding  swiftly  to  battle,  not  know- 
ing what  had  happened,  while  the  first  arrivals  were  riding  desperately  in  the 
other  direction,  back  to  camp.  The  red  warriors,  flushed  with  victory,  painted 
and  stripped  to  the  waist,  whipped  their  ponies  in  swift  pursuit.  As  the  Indians 
rode  over  the  dead  and  wounded,  they  stopped  to  scalp  and  mutilate  the  bodies 
of  the  victims. 

Major  Dement  and  Zadock  Casey  had  tried  in  vain  to  caution  the  men  and 
form  them  in  military  order.  That  they  had  failed,  was  no  fault  of  theirs. 
Major  Dement  did  the  next  best  thing.  A  short  distance  to  the  west  of  the 
Kellog  cabin,  he  succeeded  in  halting  a  part  of  his  command  and  formed  them 
in  a  line  of  battle  across  the  ridge  to  await  the  attack  he  was  sure  would  fol- 
low. Following  the  rout,  the  Indians  swept  down  on  Dement  flanking  his 
position  on  both  sides  and  pouring  upon  his  men  a  gallinng  fire  from  safe  places 
behind  trees  and  bushes.  Dement  fought  bravely  at  the  head  of  his  men  until 
he  was  outnumbered  and  almost  surrounded.  Seeing  that  he  could  not  hold 
his  position  with  disorganized  troops,  he  slowly  withdrew  with  the  men  who 
stood  by  him,  covering  the  retreat  of  the  panicstricken  volunteers  who  had 
made  the  first  attack.  At  this  point,  the  Indians  turned  aside  to  attack  three 
men  who  had  gone  out  early  in  the  morning  in  search  of  their  horses  that  had 
wandered  away.  The  three  men  were  killed  and  scalped,  but  not  until  five 
red  men  bit  the  dust  beside  them. 

This  gave  Dement  time  to  form  his  men  for  another  stand.  But  he  could 
not  hold  his  ground.  When  the  yelling  savages  once  more  charged  upon  him, 
his  men  abandoned  him  and  fled  to  the  cabins.  Dement  saw  the  folly  of  at- 
tempting to  stop  the  Indians  in  the  open  field  and  at  the  last  moment  escaped 
to  the  cabins  to  make  a  final  stand.  Governor  Casey's  horse  had  been  shot  and 
he  narrowly  escaped  after  furious  fighting. 

The  followers  of  old  Black  Hawk  now  surrounded  the  cabins,  confident 
of  a  complete  victory.  From  behind  trees,  the  red  men  fired  upon  the  cabins 
and  Dement's  men  returned  the  fire  through  the  cracks  of  the  log  buildings. 
The  best  marksmen  were  detailed  to  pick  off  the  Indians  who  dared  to  show 
themselves.  Although  the  flintlocks  were  in  bad  order,  Dement's  men  made 
the  Indians  respect  their  marksmanship.  The  Indians  shot  about  two  dozen 
horses  that  huddled  in  fright  about  the  buildings. 

The  men  were  packed  in  Kellog's  cabins  in  great  confusion.  It  was  a  time 
that  demanded  fast  thinking.  Dement  could  keep  the  Indians  back  for  a  time, 
but  unless  General  Posey  at  Dixon  was  notified  and  sent  up  reinforcements, 
the  detachment  would  be  massacred.  Dement,  who  was  the  coolest  man.  in 
the  lot,  saw  at  once  that  despatches  must  be  carried  to  Posey  and  he  called  for 
volunteers.  It  was  almost  a  hopeless  task.  It  was  hardihood,  to  mount  swift 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  47 

horses,  to  dash  through  the  enemy's  lines,  to  escape  to  the  Yellow  Creek  Val- 
ley and  to  carry  the  message  to  Posey.  But  there  is  no  limit  to  courage  on  the 
frontier.  The  higher  the  dangers  and  perils  rose,  the  higher  yet  rose  the  valor 
of  heroes.  Never  in  American  history  when  there  has  gone  out  the  call  for 
volunteers  to  risk  their  owns  lives  to  save  others,  has  that  call  failed  to  be 
promptly  answered.  It  was  answered  by  Nathan  Hale  in  the  Revolution ;  by 
Captain  Hobson  at  Santiago;  by  Kirkpatrick  at  Apple  River  and  by  Funk  and 
DeVall  in  carrying  the  warning  to  Dement.  But  no  situation  carried  less  chance 
of  life  and  success  than  this.  No  sooner  was  Dement's  call  for  volunteers  past 
his  lips,  than  Lieutenant  Tramrnell  Ewing  limped  to  the  front  with  his  ban- 
daged leg  and  said,  "Major,  I'll  go."  As  another  stepped  to  his  side,  he  asked, 
"What  horses  shall  we  take?"  "Any  ones  you  please,"  replied  Dement,  his 
voice  filled  with  emotion  as  he  observed  the  heroism  of  the  men.  Lieutenant 
Ewing  had  been  the  foremost  rider  in  the  morning's  attack,  and  had  ridden 
through  the  ambuscade  and  back  again  with  a  bullet  in  his  thigh. 

The  two  scouts  were  not  strangers  to  a  race  with  death  on  the  frontier. 
Slipping  quietly  from  the  cabins,  they  rescued  two  of  the  best  horses — animals 
known  for  their  speed,  one  of  them  the  little  black  mare  belonging  to  Major 
Dement.  They  mounted  quickly,  and  with  bodies  swung  low  over  the  horses' 
necks,  they  dashed  down  the  slope,  through  the  enemy's  lines.  With  a  roar 
of  yells,  the  Indians  turned  to  stop  the  scouts  with  flying  tomahawks  and  a 
terrific  fire  from  the  rifles.  But  on  they  rode  with  charmed  lives  until  they 
appeared  into  the  valley  below. 

Black  Hawk,  the  foxy  old  strategist,  was  rejoicing  at  the  prospect  of  a  com- 
plete victory  with  its  harvest  of  stores  and  scalps,  when  the  scouts  made  the 
dash  towards  Dixon.  The  old  Indian  shouted  his  orders  in  frantic  despera- 
tion for  if  the  men  escaped,  Posey's  army  would  soon  be  upon  him  and  that 
meant  certain  defeat.  But  he  was  too  late.  The  swift  surefooted  horses  of  the 
scouts  soon  left  the  Indian  ponies  far  behind.  Two  hundred  lives  rested  on  the 
success  of  that  ride.  Through  the  cracks  of  the  cabin  logs,  the  lookouts  kept 
a  close  watch  on  a  certain  spot  on  the  side  of  a  distant  hill  across  the  valley. 
After  minutes  that  seemed  hours,  they  saw  two  horsemen  ride  into  view.  They 
turned  and  waved  a  signal  of  triumph  to  their  besieged  comrades.  The  look- 
out shouted  that  the  riders  were  safe  through  Black  Hawk's  lines  and  the  men 
huddled  in  the  cabins  gave  hurrahs  that  rang  defiantly  against  the  yi-yi-yip- 
yah's  of  the  redskins. 

The  tide  of  battle  had  turned  in  a  few  moments.  The  two  scouts  brought 
hope  to  Dement  and  despair  to  old  Black  Hawk.  The  stakes  were  high  for 
the  old  Indian  and  he  lost.  This  battle  at  Kellog's  (Timms')  Grove,  in  Stephen- 
son  County,  broke  his  power  and  ever  afterward,  instead  of  assuming  the  ag- 
gressive against  the  Americans,  he  bent  all  his  energies  to  beat  a  safe  retreat 
across  the  Mississippi  into  Iowa. 

When  Black  Hawk  faced  Dement  at  Kellog's  Grove,  his  four  hundred  braves 
and  his  women  and  children  were  without  food.  His  braves  fought  without  sup- 
per or  breakfast,  hoping  to  dine  sumptuously  on  the  stores  in  the  cabins.  His 
fierce  onslaughts  on  the  cabins  had  been  repulsed  and  he  knew  that  Posey 
would  be  upon  him  before  he  could  reduce  the  garrison.  Sullen  and  in  despair, 


48  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

the  old  leader  almost  immediately  ordered  a  retreat.  Captain  Funk  said  that 
within  fifteen  minutes  there  was  not  a  sign  of  an  Indian  about  the  grove. 
Black  Hawk's  women  and  children  were  not  far  away  and  as  he  was  com- 
pelled to  take  them  with  him,  his  movement  was  necessarily  slow.  He  acted 
quickly  and  in  a  short  time  was  displaying  his  troops  on  the  plain  below,  which 
Captain  Funk  said  was  one  of  the  prettiest  sights  he  ever  saw,  the  drill  and 
maneuvering  being  perfect. 

When  the  Indians  had  apparently  abandoned  the  scene,  Major  Dement  and 
another  man  ventured  outside  at  the  west  end  of  the  cabins.  At  the  same  time, 
two  Indians  appeared  on  the  hill  and  both  fired.  The  balls  struck  the  logs 
immediately  behind  Dement  and  his  companion.  One  of  the  balls  pierced  the 
Major's  plug  hat,  cutting  his  commission  which  he  had  placed  in  his  hat  for 
safekeeping.  For  years,  it  was  a  great  pleasure  for  Mr.  J.  B.  Timrns,  the 
owner  of  the  cabins,  to  point  out  these  bullet  marks  to  visitors  at  Kellog's  Grove.' 

When  the  roll  was  called  at  the  cabins,  it  was  found  that  Dement  had  five 
men  killed  and  two  wounded.  Captain  Funk  says  five  were  buried.  Some 
writers  say  only  four  were  killed.  Four  of  the  killed  were  William  Allen, 
James  Black,  Abner  Bradford  and  James  P.  Band.  The  last  named  was  the 
man  who  had  jested  about  Funk's  alarm.  He  was  cut  off  and  killed  near 
where  Dement  made  his  first  stand.  The  wounded  were  Aaron  Payne  and 
Marcus  Randolph.  According  to  Funk  and  Mr.  J.  B.  Timms,  the  messengers 
were  Aaron  Payne  and  Stephen  R.  Hicks.  They  also  say  that  Payne  is  the 
man  who  was  foremost  in  the  morning's  ride  into  the  ambuscade.  Stevens  in 
his  history  of  the  Black  Hawk  War,  substitutes  the  name  of  Lieutenant  Tra-m- 
mell  Ewing  for  that  of  Payne.  Some  writers  say  that  five  scouts  were  sent 
out,  but  Captain  Funk  insists  that  there  were  but  two. 

General  Posey  arrived  just  as  the  sun  went  down  that  day,  June  25,  1832. 
The  burden  of  the  evidence  indicates  that  Posey  had  already  begun  his  march 
from  Dixon  and  that  the  scouts  met  him  at  Buffalo  Grove  (Polo). 

After  breakfast  on  the  26th,  the  dead  were  buried  with  military  honors. 
This  sad  duty  performed,  General  Posey  started  out  with  part  of  his  command 
on  Black  Hawk's  trail.  The  Indians  had  crossed  Yellow  Creek  at  a  ford  on 
the  farm  owned  by  Ed  Schienburg.  After  crossing  the  creek,  the  trail  broke 
into  dozens  of  directions,  baffling  pursuit.  As  his  commissary  wagons  had  not 
arrived,  General  Posey  returned  to  Kellog's  Grove.  The  next  day  his  wagons 
arrived  and  he  set  out  for  Fort  Hamilton  on  the  Pecatonica  River. 

Black  Hawk's  band  of  soldiers,  women  and  children  were  almost  destitute. 
W.  S.  Harney,  in  an  article  in  The  Galenian,  July  15,  1832,  writes:  "I  followed 
Black  Hawk  and  his  band  thirty  miles,  passing  four  encampments  and  found 
many  signs  of  their  want  of  provisions.  I  found  where  they  had  killed  and 
butchered  horses,  dug  for  roots  and  scraped  the  trees  for  bark." 

Black  Hawk  had  been  forced  from  the  Rock  River  Valley  by  the  approach- 
ing lines  of  Atkinson  and  Posey.  He  had  taken  refuge  in  Yellow  Creek  Val- 
ley and  had  hoped  there  to  win  a  decisive  victory.  But  he  was  outplayed  and 
outnumbered  and  was  forced  to  move  into  Wisconsin. 

July  21,  1832,  General  James  D.  Henry,  with  his  brigade  of  Illinois  volun- 
teers, overtook  Black  Hawk's  band  on  the  Wisconsin  River  and  defeated  it  with 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  49 

great  loss  to  the  Indians.  The  Indians  had  retreated  so  precipitately,  that  for 
several  miles  the  trail  was  marked  by  camp  kettles  and  baggage  cast  aside. 
General  Henry  fought  this  battle  without  orders  from  General  Atkinson,  his 
superior,  and  the  victory  for  the  Illinois  militia  was  resented  by  the  regular 
army  officers.  The  battle  of  July  2ist  proved  that  the  volunteers,  under  a 
capable  leader  and  under  rigid  discipline,  are  as  efficient  soldiers  as  ever  went  to 
battle. 

After  July  2ist,  Black  Hawk  was  not  an  aggressive  fighter.  His  power  was 
broken  and  his  aim  was  to  cross  the  Mississippi  into  Iowa.  General  Atkinson 
collected  his  forces  and  gave  pursuit.  He  brought  Black  Hawk  to  his  last 
stand  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  just  below  the  mouth  of  the  Bad  Axe 
River  on  August  2,  1832.  General  Atkinson  prepared  for  battle  and  assigned 
General  Henry  and  the  Illinois  volunteers  to  protect  the  baggage  in  the  rear. 
It  was  not  desired  that  the  volunteers  should  win  any  more  glory  in  this  cam- 
paign. But  another  opportunity  was  offered  the  Illinois  soldiers  to  atone  for 
the  mistakes  at  Stillman's  defeat  and  Kellog's  Grove. 

In  order  to  draw  off  General  Atkinson's  army  so  that  his  people  might-  cross 
the  Mississippi,  Black  Hawk  picked  out  about  twenty  Indians  and  attacked  At- 
kinson's forces.  Atkinson  charged  the  Indians  and  followed  them  as  they  re- 
treated, thinking  he  was  in  pursuit  of  Black  Hawk's  main  army.  General 
Henry  soon  observed  that  the  main  trail  followed  to  the  south  to  the  river. 
As  he  was  left  without  orders,  he  led  his  brigade  over  the  trail  and  was  soon 
engaged  in  a  pitched  battle  with  Black  Hawk's  main  army  of  over  three  hun- 
dred braves.  General  Henry's  men  charged  the  Indians  and,  killing  and  wound- 
ing many,  drove  the  remainder  into  the  river,  many  to  drown  and  others  to  low, 
willow  covered  islands. 

General  Atkinson  heard  the  heavy  firing  of  General  Henry's  brigade  and 
returned  in  time  to  order  his  men  to  charge  the  island,  killing  or  capturing  the 
remnant  of  Black  Hawk's  British  band. 

Black  Hawk  and  a  few  of  his  men  escaped  to  the  north.  They  were  cap- 
tured by  friendly  Sioux  and  Winnebagoes  and  turned  over  to  Colonel  Zachary 
Taylor. 

General  Winfield  Scott,  who  had  been  sent  to  take  command  of  the  forces 
in  the  war  against  Black  Hawk,  arrived  'in  Galena  August  3d,  the  next  day  after 
the  final  defeat  of  the  Indians.  General  Scott  came  to  Galena  over  the  Kel- 
log  Trail  through  Stephenson  County.  September  21,  1832,  he  made  a  treaty 
with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  again  affirming  the  treaty  of  1804. 

Black  Hawk  was  taken  on  a  trip  through  the  large  cities  of  the  east  to 
Washington  City.  In  1833,  he  returned  to  his  people  in  Iowa  and  died  at  the 
age  of  eighty,  October  3,  1840. 

Black  Hawk's  War  has  a  manyfold  significance  in  the  history  of  Stephenson 
County,  though  there  was  not  at  that  time  a  single  settler  in  the  county.  Kel- 
log's Trail  was  the  main  line  of  communication  between  the  settlements  about 
Dixon  and  the  lead  mines  about  Galena  and  Fort  Hamilton.  Three  frontier 
battles  were  fought  in  the  county:  Captain  Snyder's  Battle,  the  Battle  of  KeU 
log's  Grove  and  Captain  J.  W.  Stephenson's  Battle  near  Waddams.  Up  and 


50  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

down  Kellog's  Trail  rode  these  rough  riders:  Gratiot,  Hamilton,  Stephenson 
and  Dodge. 

Many  of  the  men  who  served  as  regulars  or  as  volunteers,  as  officers  or  as 
privates ;  men  who  were  destined  to  become  distinguished  in  the  nation's  his- 
tory crossed  Stephenson  County,  camping  on  her  soil  at  Kellog's  cabins.  Two 
of  these  men,  Colonel  Zachary  Taylor  and  Captain  Abraham  Lincoln,  were 
to  become  presidents  of  the  United  States.  Albert  Sidney  Johnston,  who  kept 
an  accurate  journal  throughout  the  war,  was  to  be  a  leading  general  in  the 
Southern  Confederacy  of  which  Lieutenant  Jefferson  Davis  was  to  be  president. 
Besides,  there  were  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  Major  Robert  Anderson,  General  Win- 
field  Scott  and  many  others  destined  to  become  famous  in  the  subsequent  his- 
tory of  the  state  and  nation. 

The  greatest  significance  lay  in  the  fact  that  the  defeat  of  Black  Hawk 
opened  Stephenson  County  to  peaceable  settlement.  Almost  immediately,  per- 
manent settlements  were  made.  Strong  men  had  conquered  the  Indian  and 
now  strong  men,  the  first  generation,  began  a  struggle  equally  heroic — the  con- 
quest of  the  wild  and  native  soil  to  the  pursuits  of  a  civilized  people. 

In  his  address  at  Pearl  City,  Hon.  Henry  D.  Dement,  speaking  of  the. in- 
dependent rangers  said:  "It  required  men  like  these,  with  iron  nerve,  incapable 
of  fatigue,  yielding  to  no  hardship,  to  pave  the  way  for  the  civilization  that 
was  to  follow." 


THE   ORIGINAL    MUSTER   ROLL. 

General  Robert  Anderson,  of  Fort  Sumter  fame,  was  the  United  States  en- 
rolling officer  of  the  Black  Hawk  War.  He  kept  the  original  muster  roll  of  the 
Illinois  regiments,  battalions  and  companies  in  the  war.  General  Anderson's 
widow  carefully  preserved  the  roll,  and  a  few  years  ago,  after  a  conference 
with  Congressman  Hitt  of  this  district,  the  original  roll  was  sent  to  Governor 
John  P.  Altgeld,  to  be  placed  in  the  archives  of  the  State  of  Illinois.  Early  in 
the  list  of  independent  companies  are  the  companies  of  Captain  Jacob  M.  Early 
and  Captain  Elijah  lies.  On  the  former  roll,  the  name  of  A.  Lincoln  appears 
as  No.  4  in  the  list  of  privates. 

In  a  letter  to  Samuel  Dodds,  General  Geo.  W.  Jones,  who  took  part  in  the 
Black  Hawk  War,  says  that  during  the  war,  Jefferson  Davis  visited  at  his 
home,  at  Sinsinawa,  frequently,  and  often  escorted  to  his  house  a  young  lady 
of  this  section.  General  Jones  was  with  General  Dodge  when  the  Hall  girls 
were  taken  from  the  Indians.  In  another  letter,  General  Jones  says,  "It  was  I 
who  found  the  body  of  Felix  StVrain,  the  Indian  agent,  who  was  slain  by 
the  Indians.  General  Jones  was  later  a  United  States  senator  from  Iowa. 

Colonel  Hitt,  while  engaged  in  a  government  survey  in  Stephenson  County, 
discovered  a  charred  stake  and  human  bones,  at  West  Point,  where,  it  is  be- 
lieved, one  of  the  men  who  escaped  at  the  time  of  StV rain's  murder,  was  cap- 
tured and  burned  at  the  stake. 


HISTORY  Ol-  STEPHFNSON  COUNTY  51 


BLACK    HAWK    WAR    MONUMENT. 

On  the  site  of  the  battle  of  Kellog's  Grove,  stands  a  monument  erected  in 
1886.  A  marble  slab  on  the  north  side  of  the  monument  bears  the  following 
inscription : 

"Black  Hawk  War.  This  monument  is  reared  by  Stephenson 
County,  A.  D.,  1886,  in  grateful  remembrance  of  the  heroic  dead 
who  died  that  we  might  live." 

This  monument  stands  on  one  of  the  highest  points  in  Illinois  and  overlooks 
the  beautiful  valley  of  Yellow  Creek.  It  can  be  seen  for  miles  and  miles  in 
all  directions.  It  is  built  of  yellowish,  flinty  limestone,  taken  from  the  quarry 
nearby  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  J.  B.  Timms.  The  monument  was  built  by  Mr. 
William  Ascher  and  is  eight  feet  square  at  the  base,  three  feet  square  at  the 
top  and  is  thirty-four  feet  high,  surmounted  by  imitation  cannon  balls. 

The  credit  for  this  monument  is  due  to  Mr.  J.  B.  Timms,  who  has  lived 
on  the  site  of  the  battlefield  of  Kellog's  Grove  since  1835.  Mr.  Timms'  father 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  War  and  Mr.  Timms,  himself,  was  born  in 
Fort  Funk,  and  as  a  child  witnessed  the  attack  on  the  fort  at  Apple  River  by 
Black  Hawk  in  1832.  Mr.  Timms  has  always,  maintained  an  extreme  interest 
in  the  stirring  events  of  the  war,  and  it  was  he  who  presented  the  monument 
proposition  to  the  county  commissioners  of  Stephenson  County,  1886. 

In  March,  1886,  Mr.  J.  B.  Timms  appeared  before  the  county  commissioners 
of  Stephenson  County  and  addressed  them  on  the  events  of  the  Black  Hawk 
War,  about  Kellog's  Grove,  urging  the  commissioners  to  make  an  appropria- 
tion to  build  a  monument  there.  The  commissioners  looked  upon  the  proposi- 
tion and  appointed  a  special  committee  to  investigate  the  matter,  consisting  of 
H.  W.  Stocks,  H.  S.  Keck  and  Isaac  Bogenrief,  of  the  board,  and  Mr.  J.  B. 
Timms.  At  the  April  meeting  the  committee  reported  and  the  commissioners 
voted  that  a  site  be  secured  and  the  monument  built.  D.  W.  Hays,  Wm.  Dively,- 
Isaac  Bogenrief  and  H.  S.  Keck,  with  Mr.  Timms,  were  appointed  a  commit- 
tee to  draft  a  plan  and  secure  estimates.  At  the  July  meeting,  plans  were 
adopted  and  the  committee  was  instructed  to  proceed  with  the  work.  The  con- 
tract for  the  monument  complete  was  let  to  Mr.  Wm.  Ascher  for  $535.  A  con- 
tract for  an  iron  fence  was  let  to  Flachtemeier  &  Bros,  for  $144.  Incidental 
expenses,  exhuming  and  reburying  the  remains  of  the  soldiers  brought  teh  total 
costs  to  the  county  almost  to  $1,000.  The  supervisors  who  voted  the  funds 
were :  William  Ascher,  W.  H.  Barnds,  Isaac  Bogenrief,  W.  H.  Bolender,  W.  I. 
Brady,  J.  C.  Briggs,  Ira  Crippen,  William  Dively,  T.  J.  Foley,  D.  W.  Hays, 
Jacob  Jeager,  Joseph  Kachelhoffer,  Henry  S.  Keck,  G.  S.  Kleckner,  J.  T. 
Lease,  James  Musser,  J.  M.  Reese,  S.  F.  Rezner,  D.  F.  Thompson,  J.  W.  Stocks 
and  T.  B.  Young.  The  monument  is  the  idea  of  Mr.  J.  B.  Timms,  who  prose- 
cuted it  to  its  completion.  As  a  boy  he  had  walked  over  the  battlefield  and  had 
kept  in  mind  the  unmarked  burial  places  of  the  men  who  fell  in  battle.  In 
1886  he  pointed  out  these  places,  the  bodies  were  taken  up  and  buried  at  the 
foot  of  the  monument.  Fifty-four  years  after  the  war,  the  remains  of  these 


52  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

men  who  stood  between  the  Indian  and  the  frontier  settlements  were  decently 

buried  and  the  place  was  marked  by  a  suitable  monument. 
On  the  east  side  is  inscribed  on  a  tablet : 

"Battlefield  of  Kellog's  Grove,  where  was  fought,  June  25,  1832, 
the  decisive  battle  between  the  forces  of  the  United  States  and  the 
great  Indian  Chief,  Black  Hawk." 

The  tablet  on  the  west  side  bears  the  following: 

"Killed  on  the  field  of  battle — names  as  far  as  known —  Benj. 
Scott,  the  drummer  boy;  William  B.  Makenson  and  Benj.  Mc- 
Daniels  of  St.  Clair  County ;  Wm.  Durley,  Charles  Eames,  Stephen 
P.  Howard  and  Michael  Lovell,  of  Jo  Daviess  County;  Felix 
StVrain,  the  Indian  agent;  Messrs.  Hale  and  Fowler,  escort  to 
StVrain;  Wm.  Allen,  James  P.  Band,  James  Black  and  Abner 
Bradford  of  Jefferson  County,  and  Wm.  Hecklewad  of  Jo  Daviess 
County." 

The  remains  of  the  soldiers  who  were  killed  in  Captain  Stephenson's  battle  at 
Prairie  Grove  between  Lena  and  McConnell,  were  taken  up  and  interred  with 
the  bodies  of  the  men  who  fell  about  Kellog's  Grove.  The  committee  and  Mr. 
J.  B.  Timms,  accompanied  by  W.  H.  Crotzer,  Geo.  Roush,  S.  J.  Dodds,  Ed. 
Shoesmith,  A.  Jones,  Wm.  Dively  and  sons,  C.  Shippy  and  Levi  Robey,  found 
the  bodies  of  the  three  men,  about  eighteen  inches  underground.  One  of  the 
skeletons  was  almost  intact.  The  soles  and  heels  of  the  shoes  were  well  pre- 
served. Pieces  of  blankets  and  blue  coats  were  found.  With  one  skeleton 
was  found  a  bullet  mould,  a  jack  knife,  part  of  a  wooden  ramrod,  about  thirty 
bullets,  the  handle  of  a  camp  knife,  several  rifle  flints,  etc.  Under  another 
body  were  found  several  bullets.  One  of  the  men  killed  here,  Charles  Eames, 
was  a  brother-in-law  of  James  Mitchel,  of  Freeport.  There  is  a  tradition  that 
after  the  battle,  a  white  man  and  an  Indian  were  found  so  tightly  clasped  in 
each  others  arms  that  they  could  be  separated  only  by  severing  the  head  of  the 
Indian.  These  men  were  Charles  Eames,  Stephen  P.  Howard,  and  Michael 
Lovell. 

The  bones  of  the  men  exhumed  at  Kellog's  Grove  were  fairly  well  preserved. 
In  one  grave,  a  shattered  hip  and  a  flattened  bullet  were  found.  The  bones 
of  fourteen  victims  of  the  Black  Hawk  War,  scattered  over  the  county,  in 
some  cases  a  dozen  miles  apart,  were  exhumed  and  reburied  at  the  base  of  the 
monument.  Although  fifty  years  had  passed,  some  were  in  a  good  state  of 
preservation.  The  lonely  grave  of  Bennie  Scott,  the  drummer  boy,  was  marked 
by  his  initials,  B.  S.,  cut  on  trees  near  his  burial  place. 

The  monument  was  publicly  dedicated  September  30,  1886.  The  services 
were  conducted  by  the  William  R.  Goddard  Post,  No.  258,  G.  A.  R.  of  Lena, 
G.  S.  Roush  commanding. 

DEDICATION. 

Two  thousand  people  attended  the  dedication  of  the  monument,  September 
30,  1886.  At  10:30  A.  M.  the  W.  R.  Goddard  Post  and  other  G.  A.  R.  members 
present  fell  into  line  at  command  of  Commander  Roush.  The  remains  of  the 


BLACK    HAWK    MONUMENT 


OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  53 

fourteen  men  as  they  lay  in  a  rough  box  were  viewed  for  the  last  time.  The 
pallbearers,  Messrs.  Peter  Yeager,  A.  S.  Crotzer,  W.  W.  Lowis,  Isaac  Bogen- 
rief,  Henry  Bryman  and  John  Winters  lifted  the  box  and,  followed  by  the 
G.  A.  R.  marched  with  solemn  step,  following  John  Van  Sickle,  fifer,  and 
F.  J.  Harris,  snare  drummer,  playing  a  military  dirge.  The  coffin  was  lowered 
into  its  resting  place  and  three  volleys  were  fired  over  the  open  grave  by  a 
squad  of  eight  from  the  Lena  G.  A.  R.  Post.  The  post  then  formed  a  half 
circle  on  the  north  side  of  the  monument  and  after  music  by  the  Kent  and 
Ward's  Grove  band,  the  president  of  the  day  delivered  over  the  monument  irv--" 
the  following  brief  words :  "Commander  of  William  R.  Goddard  Post,  No. 
258,  G.  A.  R.,  Department  of  Illinois :  I  have  been  authorized  by  the  people  of 
Stephenson  County,  through  their  legal  representatives,  to  invite  your  post  to 
dedicate  this  memorial  shaft  to  the  noble  purpose  for  which  it  had  been  erected. 
I  present  it  to  you  for  dedication."  A  guard  was  then  placed  at  the  four  cor- 
ners of  the  monument  by  Captain  Sherry,  the  flag  was  raised  by  the  color 
bearer,  Mr.  Sisson,  the  army  symbol  consisting  of  a  musket  and  accoutrements 
were  placed  against  the  shaft  and  the  beautiful  dedicatory  service  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  appropriately  revised  for  the  occasion,  was  read  by  Com- 
mander Roush,  assisted  by  Mr.  Charles  Waite,  representing  the)  navy,  and 
Captain  W.  S.  Barnes,  representing  the  army,  Captain  Geo.  Sherry  and  Chap- 
lain John  M.  Rees.  At  the  close  of  the  prayer,  Commander  Roush  closed  the 
services  as  follows :  "In  the  name  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  of 
the  people  of  Stephenson  County,  I  dedicate  this  monument  to  the  memory  of 
the  brave  men  and  true,  who  suffered  death  but  not  defeat,  at  the  hands  of  the 
red  men.  I  dedicate  it  to  the  memory  of  the  pioneer  soldiers  who  fell  while 
valiantly  serving  their  country  in  the  Black  Hawk  War."  The  guard  of  honor 
with  drum,  the  symbols  and  the  flag  was  removed ;  the  salute  was  given  and 
the  dedication  of  the  Black  Hawk  War  monument  was  complete. 

At  i  :3O  after  the  basket  picnic,  the  people  assembled  in  the  grove  just 
across  the  road,  north  of  the  monument.  A  stand  had  been  erected  and  seats 
provided.  A  stirring  air  was  played  by  the  band  and  Dr.  Naramore,  of  Lena, 
called  the  meeting  to  order.  "America"  was  rendered  by  the  Yellow  Creek 
Quartette,  composed  of  J.  P.  Betts,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wm.  Goodrich  and  Mr. 
John  Seabold,  with  Mrs.  Hart  at  the  organ. 

Mr.  S.  J.  Dodds,  of  Lena,  explained  that  not  all  of  the  fourteen  bodies  were 
those  of  soldiers.  Two  were  bodies  of  drivers;  one,  Rogers,  dying  of  illness 
in  the  cabin  and  the  other,  Hallett,  being  slain  in  a  quarrel  by  a  companion,  east 
of  the  grove,  while  St.  Vrain  was  an  Indian  agent  of  the  government. 

Mr.  J.  B.  Timms  has  frequently  advocated  that  the  State  of  Illinois  should 
buy  a  part,  or  all,  of  the  site  of  the  battlefield  and  convert  it  into  a  state  park. 
The  people  of  Stephenson  County,  and  especially  the  young  people,  may  well 
afford  to  make  the  trip  to  the  battlefield  and  at  the  foot  of  the  monument,  give 
serious  thought  to  the  lives  of  the  men  and  women  of  the  pioneer  days,  and 
especially  to  the  sacrifice  of  those  men  who  drove  back  Black  Hawk's  British 
band  with  flintlock  guns,  and  gave  up  their  lives  on  the  battlefields,  about 
Kellog's  Grove,  now  Timms'  Grove. 


54  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

REUNIONS   OF   SURVIVORS   OF   BLACK    HAWK    WAR. 

The  first  reunion  of  the  survivors  of  the  Black  Hawk  War  was  held  at 
Lena,  on  the  M.  E.  camp  grounds,  August  28,  1891,  and  an  association  was 
formed.  Mr.  J.  B.  Timms,  of  Kent,  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  ar^ 
rangements  and  presided  at  the  meeting.  The  following  officers  were  elected: 

President,  Mr.  J.  B.  Timms,  Kent;  vice  president,  H.  S.  Townsend,  War- 
ren; secretary,  Samuel  J.  Dodds,  Lena;  treasurer,  Wm.  Lawhorn,  Lena. 

The  Lena  Star  Band  furnished,  the  music.  Judge  Andrew  Hinds  gave  the 
address  of  welcome.  Dr.  Monroe,  of  Monroe,  Wisconsin,  made  a  brief  response. 
In  the  afternoon,  the  principal  address  was  delivered  by  Mr.  S.  J.  Dodds. 
Other  speakers  were,  Hon.  Peter  Parkinson,  of  Fayette,  Wisconsin,  and  Hon. 
Robert  R.  Hitt,  member  of  Congress  from  this  district.  A  photograph  was 
taken  of  seventeen  survivors  of  Black  Hawk's  War. 

Mrs.  Wm.  Lawhorn,  who  was  in  Apple  River  Fort  at  the  time  of  the  Indian 
attack,  gave  an  interesting  account  of  the  event.  D.  S.  Hawley,  of  Evansville, 
Wisconsin,  sang  an  Indian  song  and  startled  the  audience  with  an  Indian  war- 
whoop. 

The  second  annual  meeting  of  the  survivors  of  the  Black  Hawk  War  was 
held  in  Lena,  June  24,  1892.  The  day  was  stormy  and  the  exercises  in  the  after- 
noon were  held  in  the  Opera  House.  President  J.  B.  Timms  called  the  meet- 
ing to  order  and  a  welcome  address  was  given  by  S.  J.  Dodds.  The  officers  were 
elected  as  follows : 

President,  Henry  Dodge  Dement,  Joliet,  Illinois ;  vice  presidents,  J.  B. 
Timms,  Kent,  and  H.  S.  Townsend,  Warren,  Illinois ;  secretary,  S.  J.  Dodds, 
Lena;  treasurer,  Wm.  Lawhorn,  Lena. 

Hon.  Henry  Dodge  Dement,  of  Joliet,  delivered  eloquently  the  annual  ad- 
dress on  the  battle  of  Kellog's  Grove.  A  stirring  address  was  given  by  Rev. 
B.  H.  Cartright,  Oregon,  Illinois. 

The  third  annual  reunion  was  held  in  a  grove  near  Pearl  City,  Illinois, 
June  26  and  27,  1893.  The  Shannon  Cornet  Band,  and  the  Pearl  City  Drum 
Corps  furnished  the  music.  The  address  of  the  day  was  made  by  General  Geo. 
W.  Jones,  of  Dubuque,  who  was  an  officer  in  the  Black  Hawk  War.  General 
Jones  was  once  senator  from  Iowa  and  at  this  meeting  was  eighty-nine  years 
old.  An  address  was  also  given  by  Mr.  Henry  Mann,  of  Darlington,  Wis- 
consin, who  was  seven  years  old  at  the  time  of  the  war.  He  explained  that  St. 
Vrains  correct  name  was  Savery.  An  interesting  address  was  given  by  Gen- 
eral Smith  D.  Atkins,  of  Freeport,  and  another  by  Hon.  R.  R.  Hitt. 

Officers  were  elected  as  follows : 

President,  Hon.  Peter  Parkinson,  Fayette,  Wisconsin;  first  vice  president, 
J.  B.  Timms,  Kent ;  second  vice  president,  Hon.  H.  S.  Townsend,  Warren ; 
secretary,  S.  J.  Dodds,  Lena;  treasurer,  Henry  Mann,  Darlington,  Wisconsin. 

The  following  survivors  attended  the  reunions  of  the  Black  Hawk  War  Sur- 
vivors Association  in  1891,  1892,  or  1893: 

W.  G.  Nevitt,  L.  B.  Skeel,  J.  M.  Rees,  Jacob  Burbridge,  Peter  Parkinson, 
Cyrus  Lichtenberger,  Geo.  W.  Williams,  H.  S.  Townsend,  Samuel  Hathaway, 
Henson  Ireton,  W.  D.  Monroe,  D.  S.  Hawley,  Mrs.  Sarah  Lawhorn,  Mrs. 
Eliza  Rice,  Mrs.  Jacob  Burbridge,  Mrs.  L.  B.  Skeel,  J.  B.  Timms,  Fred  Chel- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  55 

tain,  Robert  Hawley,  Wm.  Lawhorn,  Henry  Mann,  General  Geo.  W.  Jones, 
Samuel  L.  Dark,  D.  W.  C.  Mallory,  Samuel  Paisley,  M.  B.  Pearsons,  W.  H. 
Lee,  Colonel  Daniel  F.  Hitt. 

BLACK     HAWK AN     HISTORIC     PLAY. 

During  the  spring  of  1910,  Miss  Alice  Bidwell,  head  of  the  department  of 
English  in  the  Freeport  High  School,  wrote  an  historical  play  based  on  the 
Black  Hawk  War.  The  play  was  given  by  the  senior  class  1910,  of  the  high 
school  to  crowded  houses  two  nights. 

THE  FIRST  SETTLEMENTS— 1833-1837. 

The  first  permanent  settlement  in  Stephenson  County  was  made  by  Wil- 
liam Waddams,  in  West  Point  Township,  at  Waddams  Grove,  in  the  summer 
of  1833.  Brewster's  Ferry  was  established  in  the  spring  of  1834  by  Lyman 
Brewster,  near  Winslow.  In  the  spring  of  1835,  James  Timms  and  family  set- 
tled in  the  cabins  at  Kellog's  Grove.  In  1835,  Miller  Preston,  who  had  evi- 
dently prospected  in  the  county  in  1833,  brought  a  drove  of  cattle  through  from 
Galliopolis,  Ohio,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Harlem  Township,  on  section  22 
near  the  old  Galena  stage  road.  Benjamin  Goddard  and  family  settled  between 
Freeport  and  Cedarville  in  December,  1835,  and  December  19,  that  year,  Wil- 
liam Baker  came  to  the  present  site  of  Freeport  and  built  a  cabin  before  the 
close  of  the  year  on  the  Pecatonica  near  the  present  location  of  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  station. 

The  first  settlers  came  from  the  west.  The  attraction  of  lead  mining  was 
too  strong  for  the  time  for  the  simple  agricultural  and  trading  life  that  might 
be  offered  in  Stephenson  County.  The  tide  of  settler  pioneers  swept  around 
or  through  this  county,  and  went  on  to  Apple  River,  Galena,  Gratiot  Grove 
or  Mineral  Point. 

The  first  man  to  build  a  cabin  in  Stephenson  County  was  a  man  named 
Kirker.  It  appears  that  he  left  St.  Louis  in  1826  and  went  to  the  lead  mine 
regions  about  Galena.  Here  he  was  in  the  employment  of  Colonel  Gratiot  for 
a  year.  Then  in  1827,  he  came  into  Stephenson  County  and  built  a  cabin  at 
Buffalo  Grove.  His  idea  was  to  establish  a  trading  station  there.  Nothing  is 
known  of  Kirker  after  that.  He  remained  in  his  cabin  less  than  a  year  and 
it  is  very  probable  that  he  left  because  of  impending  trouble  with  the  Indians. 

As  far  as  the  definite  records  go,  the  first  white  man  to  cross  Stephenson 
County  was  Colonel  E.  H.  Gratiot.  His  father  had  come  to  the  lead  mine  district 
soon  after  the  discovery  of  lead  there.  In  the  fall  of  1827,  Colonel  Gratiot  with 
a  single  companion,  traveled  on  horseback  from  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  to  Gratiot's 
Grove  in  Wisconsin.  After  leaving  Peoria,  Colonel  Gratiot  and  his  camp  did 
not  see  a  white  man  until  they  reached  the  Apple  River  district.  There  was 
no  ferry  at  Dixon,  and  they  forded  the  Rock  River  at  that  place.  They  rode 
on  through  Stephenson  County  by  way  of  Kellog's  Grove. 

The  outlying  settlements  of  advancing  civilization  were  approaching  Steph- 
enson County  in  all  directions  from  1825  to  1830.  Peoria  and  Ottawa  were  set- 


56  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

tied  and  the  lead  mine  regions  were  overflowed  from  1824  to  1832.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  there  were  from  seven  to  ten  thousand  people  in  that  district  in 
the  summer  of  1827.  Dixon  was  settled  in  1827;  Polo  in  1831;  Rockford  in 
1835;  and  Chicago  in  1830. 

In  1827  several  men,  including  William  Baker  and  the  Prestons,  came  into 
the  county.  Their  stay  was  only  temporary,  but  Baker  in  passing  what  is  now 
Freeport,  was  impressed  with  the  value  of  the  point  as  an  Indian  trading 
station.  From  the  discovery  of  lead  about  Galena,  no  doubt,  many  traders  and 
adventurers  crossed  the  county.  It  is  no  more  than  likely  that  at  times  the 
county  was  visited  by  those  traders  and  trappers,  a  kind  of  Courier  de  bois, 
which  formed  the  skirmish  line  of  advancing  civilization.  They  took  no 
permanent  possession  of  the  land.  They  lived  in  simple  log  cabins  and  only 
to  a  very  small  exten  engaged  in  agriculture.  They  depended  mainly 
on  fish  and  game  and  the  Indians  for  a  living.  These  were  men  of  a 
peculiar  type;  men  who  were  here  to  enjoy  the  solitude  of  the  prairie  and  the 
forest,  and  were  not  cordial  to  the  first  permanent  settlers  who  came  near 
their  cabins.  In  fact,  they  were  more  antagonistic  to  the  advance  of  civilization 
than  the  Indians  themselves.  They  were  silent  men,  anti-social,  by  nature 
constituted  in  such  a  way  that  they  preferred  life  just  beyond  the  frontier  set- 
tlements, between  the  Indian  and  civilization.  As  the  line  of  permanent  settle- 
ments closed  about  him,  he  became  restless  and  suspicious  and  suddenly  and 
quietly,  he  gathered  together  his  few  simple  household  effects  and  moved  out 
into  the  wilds,  away  from  what  was  to  him  the  monotonous  life  of  permanent 
civilization.  The  rule  with  them  was,  "When  you  hear  the  shot  of  your  neigh- 
bor's gun,  it  is  time  to  move  on  west." 

George  Flower,  in  his  "History  of  the  English  Settlements  in  Edwards 
County,  Illinois,"  gives  us  the  best  description  of  the  home  of  one  of  these 
men  who  was  blazing  the  way  for  the  advance  guard  of  permanent  settlements. 
"Following  a  trail  through  a  dense  grove,  I  came  suddenly  on  a  worm  fence 
enclosing  a  small  field  of  fine  corn,  but  I  could  see  no  dwelling.  Looking 
closely  I  observed  between  two  rows  of  corn  a  narrow  path.  In  twenty  steps, 
I  came  in  sight  of  a  cabin.  Looking  in  the  direction  of  a  voice  calling  back  a 
savage  dog  about  to  attack  me,  I  saw  a  naked  man  fanning  himself  with  a 
branch  of  a  tree.  What  surprised  me  as  I  approached  him  was  the  calm,  self- 
possession  of  the  man.  There  was  no  surprise,  no  flutter,  no  hasty  movements. 
He  quietly  said,  he  had  just  come  from  mill  35  miles  away  and  was  cooling 
himself. 

His  cabin  was  14  feet  long,  12  feet  wide  and  7  feet  high.  The  floor  was 
of  earth.  There  was  a  bedstead  made  by  driving  four  posts  in  the  ground. 
The  posts  were  sprouting  and  had  buds,  branches  and  leaves  growing  upon 
them.  A  small  three-legged  stool  and  a  rickety  clapboard  table  were  the  only 
other  furniture.  Two  heavy  puncheons  made  up  the  door.  The  culinary  ap- 
paratus for  this  family  of  seven,  consisted  of  a  rim  of  an  old  wire  sieve  fur- 
nished with  a  piece  of  buckskin,  with  holes  punched  through  it  for  sifting  the 
corn  meal,  a  skillet  and  a  coffee  pot.  There  was  an  axe  at  the  door  and  a  rifle 
leaned  against  the  wall.  The  man  and  his  boys  wore  suits  of  buckskin  and  the 
wife  and  her  three  daughters  wore  dresses  of  flimsy  calico,  sufficiently  soiled 


AX   OX  TEAM  OF  THK   KAIU.Y   DAY; 


OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  57 

and  not  without  rents.  The  wife  was  a  dame  of  some  thirty  years,  square 
built  and  squat,  sallow  and  smoke-dried,  with  bare  legs  and  feet.  Her  pride  was 
in  her  two  long  braids  of  shining  black  hair  which  hung  far  down  her  back. 
Two  or  three  slices  of  half  dried  haunch  and  a  few  corn  pones  made  us  a 
relishing  supper.  As  night  advanced,  my  host,  Captain  Birk,  reached  up  among 
the  clapboards  and  pulled  down  a  dried  hogskin  for  my  especial  comfort  and  re- 
pose. The  entire  family  of  seven  slept  in  the  one  bed  and  I  lay  my  hogskin 
upon  the  floor  and  myself  upon  it." 

Such  was  the  type  of  home  life  among  these  peculiar  men  who  lived  always 
just  beyond  the  borders  of  our  civilization.  Yet  they  served  a  purpose.  They 
broke  out  the  trails.  They  were  experts  with  the  axe  and  aided  the  settlers  to 
build  their  cabins.  Then,  when  the  settlements  crowded  about  them,  they 
moved  on  to  live  alone,  without  neighbors,  without  law  and  beyond  the  irksome 
restraints  of  law  and  civil  government.  Yet  in  our  midst  we  have  after  types 
of  these  men,  who  yield  grudgingly,  small  pittances  to  public  good,  unsocial 
to  the  end. 

The  close  of  the  War  of  1812  and  the  crushing  defeat  of  Tecumseh  in  1811 
had  paved  the  way  for  the  great  advance.  The  Winnebago  scare  gave  a  slight 
check  to  the  advancing  tide,  and  the  Black  Hawk's  "bad  heart,"  threats  of  war, 
and  the  war  itself  kept  back  the  would-be  immigrants.  The  removal  of  Keokuk 
and  the  peaceful  Sacs  and  Foxes  into  Iowa  and  the  final  defeat  of  Black  Hawk 
and  the  restriction  of  his  power  at  the  battle  of  the  Bad  Axe,  August  2,  1832, 
removed  the  last  formidable  barriers  to  the  permanent  occupation  of  Stephen- 
son  County.  The  settlements  followed  closely  on  the  defeat  of  Black  Hawk. 
He  was  defeated  August  2,  1832,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  William  Wad- 
dams  came  into  the  county  and  selected  the  site  at  Waddams  Grove  as  a  good 
place  to  settle.  In  the  spring  of  the  next  year,  1833,  as  stated  above,  he  built 
his  house  and  brought  his  family.  William  Waddams  moved  from  Jo  Daviess 
County  into  Stepljenson  County.  He  had  first  lived  down  on  the  Ohio  River, 
then  in  southern  Indiana,  then  near  Peoria,  Illinois,  then  in  Galena  when  he 
built  the  first  water  mill,  Shullsburg,  Wisconsin,  Apple  River,  and  White  Oak 
Springs.  He  was  evidently  pleased  with  the  country  at  Waddams,  for  here 
he  remained  till  death. 

The  first  permanent  home  built  in  Stephenson  County  was  the  typical  fron- 
tier log  cabin.  It  was,  in  fact,  hewed  out  of  the  forest.  The  trees  were  se- 
lected, cut  down  and  shaped  into  logs,  notched  near  the  ends.  The  rafters  and 
joints  were  cut  and  split  out  of  the  green  saplings.  The  puncheon  floor  was  of 
the  usual  order.  The  boards  were  rived  on  the  ground  and  the  window  frames 
were  smoothed  up  by  use  of  a  jack-knife.  The  great  fireplace  occupied  almost 
all  of  one  end  of  the  house.  Such  a  house  could  be  built,  as  many  of  them 
were,  with  no  other  tools  but  an  axe  and  an  auger.  A  thatched  roof  log  barn 
was  quickly  built  and  afforded  protection  for  grain  and  stock.  Mr.  Waddams 
was  a  native  of  the  State  of  New  York  and  Mrs.  Waddams  of  the  State  of 
Vermont.  There  were  no  schools  in  the  first  years  of  Mr.  Waddams  life  in 
Illinois  but,  being  interested  in  the  education  of  his  children,  he  procured  the 
services  of  a  private  teacher  for  his  children.  He  was  forty-seven  years  old 
when  he  built  the  first  permanent  residence  in  this  county  on  section  13,  in 


58  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

West  Point  Township.  He  was  a  man  of  decided  opinions  and  in  politics  was 
first  a  whig  and  then  a  republican.  Mr.  Waddams  was  the  pilot  who  led  the 
way  for  many  a  family  into  Stephenson  County.  Many  a  settler  partook  of 
his  hospitality  while  on  his  way  to  select  a  claim  here.  Frequently  he  hitched 
his  team  to  the  end  of  the  newcomer's  wagon  tongue  and  pulled  him  through 
mud  holes  or  across  the  fords  on  the  Pecatonica.  He  was  for  a  long  time 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  earned  the  title  of  Squire  Waddams.  One  of  his 
specialties  as  justice  was  marriages.  On  such  occasions,  joy  was  unrestrained 
and  rule  was  "to  let  melody  flow,"  and  "all  was  as  happy  as  the  marriage 
bells."  The  "fiddle"  played  an  important  part,  and  the  old  time  "fiddler"  who 
knew  not  one  note  from  another  sawed  to  hearts  content  way  into  the  morning 
hours  on  "Fisher's  Hornpipe,"  "The  Devil  Lookin'  up  the  Lane,"  "Dan 
Tucker,"  "The  Squawking  Hen,"  etc.  The  dancing  if  not  as  finely  polished 
as  today  was  quite  as  full  of  glee  and  vigorous  enthusiasm. 

In  the  fall  of  1834  the  Robeys  came  to  Stephenson  County.  Levi  settled  in 
Waddams  Township,  February  14,  1835,  and  his  father  took  up  a  claim  near 
Cedarville.  Of  the  Robeys  there  were,  Wm.  Robey  and  wife,  Levi  Robey  and 
wife  and  John,  Wm.  W.,  Thomas  L.,  Frances  L.,  Elizabeth  and  Mary,  all 
children  of  Wm.  Robey.  Levi  Robey's  grandfather  was  in  George  Rogers 
Clarke's  army  when  it  conquered  the  Northwest  Territory  in  1778-9. 

With  an  axe  and  a  jack-knife,  Levi  Robey  built  a  log  house  on  his  claim 
in  1835.  With  a  yoke  of  steers,  he  hauled  the  logs  over  the  river  on  the  ice. 
The  logs  were  with  great  difficulty  placed  in  position,  but  he  persevered  until 
he  had  completed  his  frontier  home. 

George  W.  Lott  had  settled  in  a  cabin  between  Winslow  and  Oneco.  It  is 
claimed  that  a  son  was  born  in  the  Lott  family  in  1835.  If  true,  this  was  the. 
first  white  child  born  in  the  county.  Others  claim  that  the  first  white  child 
born  in  the  township  was  Amanda  Waddams,  born  at  the  Waddams  home  in 
February,  1836.  Lucy,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Bankson,  was  also  born  early  in 
1836,  and  the  honor  of  being  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  county  is  also 
claimed  for  her. 

In  1835,  James  Timms  and  family  moved  from  Jo.Daviess  County  into 
Stephenson  County  and  settled  at  Kellog's  Grove.  Mr.  Timms  bought  the  old 
Kellog  site  from  a  man  named  Green,  who  got  his  title  from  Lafayette,  a 
French  adventurer  who  was  the  next  in  possession  after  Kellog.  Lafayette 
left  at  the  opening  of  the  Black  Hawk  War.  The  old  house  stood  till  1862, 
when  a  new  house  was  built  on  the  site. 

Mr.  Timms  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina  and  his  wife  a  native  of  New 
York.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  War  and  his  family  was  pro- 
tected in  Funk's  Fort  and  in  the  Apple  River  Fort  during  the  war.  One  son, 
James  B.  Timms,  living  at  Kellog's  Grove,  was  then  a  boy  four  years  old. 

Many  settlers  came  into  Stephenson  County  in  the  year  of  1835.  Benjamin 
Goddard  settled  north  of  Freeport,  stopping  first  with  Mr.  Robey.  Luman  and 
Rodney  Montague  and  William  Tucker  settled  near  Waddams  Grove.  Hubb 
and  Graves  built  a  cabin  near  that  of  Levi  Robey  in  Waddams  Township. 
Richard  Parriott,  Sr.,  George  Trotter,  Henry  and  William  Hollenbeck  located 
in  Buckeye  Township.  Nelson  Waite,  Charles  Gappen,  Alijah  Warson,  John 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  59 

and  Thomas  Baker  and  William  Willis  settled  in  Waddams.  In  Winslow 
Township  settled  Alvah  Denton,  Lemuel  Streator,  Hector  W.  Kneeland,  and 
James  and  W.  H.  Eels,  Jefferson  and  Louis  Van  Metre  settled  in  Oneco. 
John  B.  Kaufmann  in  Erin;  Miller  Preston,  to  Harlem;  Jesse  Willett,  Calvin 
and  Jabez  Giddings,  to  Kent;  Albert  Alberson  and  Eli  Frankenberger,  and 
Josiah  Blackmore  to  Rock  Grove;  Thomas  Grain  and  family  to  Silver  Creek; 
Conrad  Vam  Brocklin  and  Mason  Dimmick  and  Otis  Love  and  family  to 
Florence.  Thomson  Wilcoxen  spent  part  of  the  year  in  the  county  and  settled 
permanently  in  Harlem  the  next  year.  Harvey  P.  Waters  and  Lyman  Bennett 
spent  the  winter  near  the  mouth  of  Yellow  Creek  and  in  the  spring  settled  in 
Ridott  township,  where  they  were  joined  by  A.  J.  Niles. 

Probably  the  most  important  settlement  in  some  ways  in  1835,  was  that  of 
William  Baker,  who  built  a  trading  post  and  established  his  family  in  a  cabin 
on  the  banks  of  the  Pecatonica  River  at  the  foot  of  Stephenson  Street  in  the 
city  of  Freeport.  Baker  had  picked  out  the  site  earlier  and  in  1835,  with  his 
son,  Frederick,  and  his  family,  began  the  history  of  Freeport. 

William  Baker  came  from  Orange  County,  Indiana.  He  first  moved  to 
Sangamon  County,  Illinois,  in  1823,  and  in  the  spring  of  1827  came  to  the  lead 
mine  region  in  Jo  Daviess  County.  In  1829,  they  went  back  to  Peoria,  and  in 
1852  went  to  the  lead  mine  country  in  Lafayette  County,  Wisconsin.  The 
Bakers  had  come  north  just  in  time  to  get  into  the  thick  of  the  Black  Hawk 
War.  To  escape  the  dangers  from  Indians,  the  family  "forted"  in  Fort  De- 
fiance. Baker  and  his  son,  Fred,  returned  to  this  county  and  December  19, 
1835,  built  the  cabin  above  mentioned  which  was  the  first  house  built  in  the 
city  of  Freeport.  Mrs.  Baker  came  the  following  February.  Having  com- 
pleted a  hewn  log  home,  Baker  and  Benjamin  Goddard  with  an  ox  team  and 
" wagon  drove  into  Wisconsin  to  bring  the  family  to  the  new  home.  -It  was  a 
long  and  tedious  journey,  over  unbroken,  February  roads.  But  through  all  the 
difficulties  and  dangers,  there  was  the  inspiration  that  lifts  up  every  family  as 
it  moves  into  a  new  home.  In  due  time  the  ox  team  was  back  again,  and  Mrs. 
William  Baker  was  the  first  white  woman  to  live  in  the  limits  of  the  present"^? 
city  of  Freeport.  Mr.  William  Baker  then  entered  and  owned  the  land  on 
which  the  city  of  Freeport  now  stands.  Before  his  wife  arrived  Baker,  assisted 
by  Benjamin  Goddard  and  George  Whiteman,  erected  another  log  mansion  near 
the  first.  They  were  assisted  in  raising  it  by  Fred  Baker,  Miller  Preston  and 
Jos.  Van  Sevit.  Baker  was  favorably  impressed  with  the  location  and  decided 
to  establish  an  Indian  trading  post  and  a  hotel.  A  tribe  of  Winnebagoes  was 
still  in  the  community  and  the  tavern  would  be  able  to  earn  something  from 
immigrants  who  were  sure  to  be  coming  through  to  the  west.  He  also 
established  a  ferry,  and  did  a  fair  business  bringing  people  across  the  Peca- 
tonica. Mr.  Baker  was  not  here  long  before  he  became  convinced  that  here 
was  a  desirable  location  for  a  village.  That  is  why  he  laid  claim  to  all  the  land 
of  the  present  city.  Besides,  it  cost  him  only  the  fee  at  the  Dixon  land  office. 
The  next  move  was  to  organize  a  land  company  and  Baker  secured  as  partners, 
William  Kirkpatrick  and  W.  T.  Galbraith.  This  was  the  first  organization  in 
Freeport,  a  real  estate  firm,  under  the  title  of  Baker,  Kirkpatrick,  Galbraith 
&  Co.  The  purpose  of  this  company  was  to  offer  inducements  to  immigrants. 


60  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

They  anticipated  a  large  increase  in  westward  bound  settlers  and  were  prepared 
to  exploit  the  advantages  and  prospects  of  the  village  to  be.  The  town  was 
laid  out  early  in  1836,  in  the  north  part  of  the  northeast  portion  of  section  31. 
This  was  later  removed  because  the  Indians  when  they  had  sold  their  lands 
had  reserved  certain  tracts  to  the  half-breeds,  to  be  selected  in  any  part  of  the 
territory  they  might  choose.  As  soon  as  it  became  known  that  Baker,  Kirk- 
patrick  &  Co.  had  laid  out  a  town,  Mary  Myott  located  her  claim  on  this  sec- 
tion and  the  town  builders  moved  their  stakes  farther  west.  Later,  John  A. 
Clark  obtained  title  to  this  section  and  calling  it  Winneshiek  Addition,  opened 
it  to  settlement. 

In  1836,  Baker  &  Co.  put  up  two  log  cabins,  one  at  the  corner  of  Galena  and 
Chicago  Streets,  and  one  opposite  the  monument  on  Stephenson  Street.  Mr. 
L.  O.  Crocker  built  a  small  hut  on  the  banks  of  the  river  and  in  the  fall  occu- 
pied it  as  a  store.  The  real  estate  visions  of  the  company  seemed  to  brighten 
in  1836.  During  the  year  O.  H.  Wright,  Joel  Dodds,  Hiram  Eads,  Jacob  Good- 
heart,  John  Hinkle,  James  Burns,  William,  Samuel  and  Robert  Smith,  John 
Brown,  Benjamin  R.  Wilmot  and  several  others  came  in,  so  that  when  winter 
arrived  there  was  quite  a  colony  in  the  new  location.  F.  D.  Bulkley  came  but 
settled  on  Silver  Creek  township  and  E.  H.  D.  Sanborn  settled  in  Harlem. 

A  few  points  of  interest  have  been  preserved  in  regard  to  these  earliest  set- 
tlers. Luman  Montague,  above  mentioned,  was  of  English  descent.  He  was 
a  native  of  Bennington,  Vermont.  He  married  Miss  Elmira  Clark  in  Massa- 
chusetts and,  soon  after,  with  his  young  bride  set  out  on  a  marvelous  honey- 
moon trip.  With  an  ox  team  and  wagon  in  1835,  they  drove  the  entire  1,000 
miles  from  Northampton,  Massachusetts,  to  Stephenson  County,  and  settled  on 
section  18  in  West  Point  Township.  The  first  Montague  to  come  to  America 
was  Richard,  who  settled  in  Hadley,  Massachusetts,  1660.  With  an  ax  alone, 
Luman  Montague  built  his  log  home  in  this  county.  He  set  out  the  first  nursery 
and  one  time  had  an  orchard  of  1,200  trees. 

Hubbard  Graves  had  learned  the  stone  cutter's  trade  on  the  Scioto,  in  Ohio. 
He  married  and  came  first  to  Hennepin,  Illinois.  He  settled  in  Waddams  Town- 
ship, 1835,  and  built  his  cabin  before  the  land  was  surveyed.  He  sold  this  claim 
and  took  two  others  in  Rock  Grove  Township.  He  was  the  first  sheriff  of 
Stephenson  County  and  was  a  member  of  the  legislature  from  1842-1844. 

Richard  Parriott,  Sr.,  was  a  native  of  Tyler  County,  West  Virginia.  He 
came  to  southern  Illinois  in  1826,  settled  in  Indiana  a  short  time,  and  then 
through  Stephenson  County  to  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  in  1835,  and  not  finding 
anything  to  suit  him  returned  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Buckeye  township. 
George  Trotter,  also  an  early  settler  in  Buckeye  was  a  native  of  Bourbon  County, 
Kentucky,  and  first  came  with  his  father's  family  to  Springfield,  Illinois.  He 
walked  from  Springfield  to  the  lead  mine  region  and  secured  employment  in  a 
smelter  at  $16  a  month.  He  enlisted  for  the  Black  Hawk  War  and  was  in  the 
battle  of  the  Wisconsin  River  and  the  Bad  Axe.  After  the  war,  with  his  wife 
and  two  children,  two  horses,  two  oxen  and  a  wagon,  he  drove  to  Honey 
Creek,  Wisconsin,  but  not  being  pleased  there,  returned  to  this  county  and  set- 
tled in  Buckeye  Township,  1835.  Not  having  money  to  enter  his  land,  he 
held  it  as  a  claim  till  he  secured  a  title.  James  and  W.  H.  Eels  drove  from 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  61 

New  York  to  LaSalle  County,  Illinois,  and  in  1835  came  on  to  Stephenson 
County,  settling  in  Winslow  township  and  built  a  double  hewed  log  house. 
In  1836,  they  moved  to  Ransomberg  and  built  another  log  house  and  made  it 
into  a  tavern,  where  was  held  the  first  election  that  occurred  in  that  section. 
The  nearest  mill  in  1835  was  at  Gratiot,  Wisconsin,  and  it  was  a  poor  corn 
cracker.  Galena  was  the  nearest  place  for  supplies  and  the  nearest  post  office. 
It  often  cost  25  cents  to  get  a  letter  out  of  the  office  and  this  the  settlers  did 
not  always  have,  as  coin  was  a  scarce  article.  But  a  letter  from  the  home  folks 
way  down  east  was  highly  prized,  and  the  good  natured  postmaster  frequently 
let  the  pioneers  have  the  letters  on  "tick."  At  the  age  of  17,  W.  H.  Eels  pur- 
chased his  "time"  from  his  father  for  $250.  He  then  worked  for  $16  a  month 
on  a  farm  and  in  1838  bought  a  yoke  of  oxen.  Later  he  bought  a  claim  of  160 
acres  in  Winslow  Township  and  married  in  1841.  He  owned  the  first  threshing 
machine  in  that  section.  He  was  a  great  reader,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  1872.  T.  J.  Van  Metre  came  west  as  a  boy  from  Ohio  to  the  lead  mines. 
He  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  War,  and  in  1836  came  to  Oneco,  paying  $100 
for  a  claim  of  150  acres.  In  1837  ne  made  a  horseback  trip  to  Cincinnati. 

Thus  were  laid  the  foundations  for  the  history  of  Stephenson  County.  It 
had  its  beginning  with  one  family,  that  of  William  Waddams  in  1833,  at  Wa'd- 
dams  Grove,  77  years  ago.  The  next  year,  1834,  saw  several  new  settlements. 
The  year  1835  closed  with  a  large  number  of  additional  settlers  of  high  quality. 
These  settlements  formed  centers  scattered  in  every  direction,  around  which 
the  county  was  to  be  built  up.  In  addition  to  the  those  mentioned  above,  there 
were  many  others  whose  names  have  not  been  preserved.  While  the  popula- 
tion was  yet  small  and  the  settlements  isolated,  yet  the  tide  of  immigration  had 
set  in  strong,  and  the  rapid  occupation  of  the  county  was  assured.  The  settlers 
were  pleased  with  the  outlook  and  sent  back  east  glowing  reports  of  the  climate 
and  the  resources  of  the  county,  telling  in  words  of  praise  of  "The  beautiful 
land,  with  her  broad,  billowy  prairies,  replete  with  buds  and  blossoms,  with 
her  wooded  fastnesses,  in  which  the  deer  and  smaller  game  roamed  at  pleasure ; 
of  the  water  power  that  the  streams  would  afford,  and  many  other  items  of 
interest  which  conspired  to  render  the  country  not  only  fascinating  to  the 
traveler,  but  productive  under  the  horny  hand  of  toil." 

The  following  letter  written  in  1837  from  Damascus  to  New  York,  affords 
a  good  description  of  the  county  and  the  favor  with  which  the  new  country 
was  looked  upon  by  the  early  settlers.  It  was  written  by  Nelson  Martin,  who 
rode  through  from  New  York  to  Damascus  on  horseback.  It  was  written  to 
Norman  Phillips,  who  later  that  same  year  settled  at  Damascus. 

Pekatonica  River,  Tan.   15,  18^7. 
Dear  Friends: 

Agreeable  to  my  promise  last  fall  I  will  atempt  to  inform  you  of  our  journey, 
healths,  and  situation.  I  believe  I  gave  you  the  outlines  of  our  journey  as  far 
as  Chicago,  while  I  was  there,  we  left  there  about  the  first  of  Dec. ;  the  ground 
was  froze  just  enough  to  make  good  wheeling,  and  we  should  have  got  here 
in  four  days,  but  Rock  River  was  impassable  which  detained  us  about  four 
days  longer,  but  the  journey  was  pleasant  all  the  way  through  and  we  saw  a 
great  many  pleasant  looking  places,  but  I  saw  no  place  on  the  way  that  fills 


62  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

my  eye  equal  to  this.  I  think  Father  has  made  the  best  choice  there  is  on  the 
river  for  twenty  miles.  The  land  lies  just  as  you  could  wish  it,  there  is  a  rise 
of  land  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  (or  rather  on  the  west  for  the  river  runs 
nearly  north  and  south  here).  It  extends  up  and  down  the  river  nearly  half  a 
mile  back  fom  the  river,  and  between  the  river  and  this  rise  is  about  three  hun- 
dred acres  of  what  is  called  River  Bottom  as  beautiful  as  you  ever  saw.  Then 
across  the  river  from  this  is  the  timber,  but  back  of  this  rise  I  mentioned  is 
beautiful  rolling  prairie  as  you  would  wish  to  see  and  it's  well  watered.  There 
is  some  timber  on  this  side  of  the  river,  and  three  or  four  miles  back  from  us 
is  a  grove  of  timber  that  almost  surrounds  us.  This  grove  breaks  off  the  north 
and  west  winds  and  makes  it  quite  pleasant.  The  timber  land  lies  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  I  think  we  have  the  best  lot  of  timber  here  that  I  have  seen 
since  I  left  York  State.  The  timber  land  lies  beautiful,  not  only  so,  but  we  have 
two  as  good  mill  sites  as  there  is  in  the  country.  I  should  like  it  much  if  we 
had  a  good  sawmill  in  operation.  Lumber  is  very  high  and  hard  to  be  got,  al- 
most the  whole  country  south  of  us  depends  on  this  river  for  lumber,  but  we 
don't  think  of  that  at  present.  We  are  getting  our  Rail  Stuff  acrost  to  do  our 
fencing,  we  calculate  to  fence  about  two  hundred  acres  next  spring,  we  have 
between  20  and  25  acres  broke  ready  for  corn  and  team  enough  to  break  as 
much  as  we  can  work.  Mr.  Phillips,  I  wish  you  was  here  to  help  us  till  this 
beautiful  land,  it  looks  to  me  as  if  it  would  work  as  easy  as  a  bed  of  ashes  and 
they  tell  me  it  produces  like  a  garden,  the.  whole  of  it,  I  think  you  can't  help 
but  like  it.  I  have  been  over  the  place  a  great  deal,  and  the  more  I  see  of  it 
the  better  I  like  it.  If  you  come  here  next  summer  you  will  of  course  come 
by  water  to  Chicago,  to  this  place  it  is  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from 
Chicago.  There  is  a  new  road  laid  out  from  Chicago  to  Galena.  It's  much 
nearer  than  the  old  road.  Father  thinks  to  meet  you  at  Chicago  if  we  get  some 
more  teams,  if  not  it  would  be  difficult,  as  we  shall  have  to  make  use  of  all  we 
have  at  that  season  on  the  farm.  Write  at  all  events  what  time  you  will  be 
there.  Phebe  Ann,  I  think  if  you  come  out  here  in  less  than  six  months  you 
will  be  as  healthy  as  ever  you  was.  The  climate  and  water  here  is  peculiarly 
adapted  to  constitutions  like  yours.  It  never  has  failed  to  cure  yet  and  I  have 
heard  of  a  number  of  cases  of  the  kind  and  I  think  you  will  like  our  neighbors. 
We  have  but  a  few  of  them  but  what  there  is  is  York  State  People  and  they 
are  very  fine  respectable  obliging  neighbors  and  I  am  well  pleased  with  them 
and  I  think  you  must  be.  Tell  William  we  have  a  claim  for  him  and  I  think  he 
will  be  pleased  with  it.  It  lies  handsome  and  it's  well  watered.  Josephine  was 
so  pleased  with  the  place  that  we  had  to  mark  a  claim  for  her  about  the  first 
thing.  Tell  William  Stewart  if  he  wants  a  farm  here  is  the  place.  There  is 
good  chances  yet  but  the  country  is  selling  so  fast  that  I  think  it  will  be  all 
taken  up  in  less  than  a  year  where  there  is  any  chance  for  timber." 
Respects  to  all. 

About  1840  a  newspaper  man  passing  through  the  county  gave  the  follow- 
ing description  in  the  Madison  Express:  "Since  I  have  been  here  I  have  been 
about  the  county  considerably,  and  am  well  convinced  that  it  is  well  deserving 
of  the  high  reputation  it  has  attained.  From  Rockford  to  Freeport  the  road 
passes  through  one  continuous  prairie,  with  the  exception  of  a  grove  about  a 


':-c'-^r: 


A.  W.  FORD'S  JEWELRY  STORE.  1855 


OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY  63 

mile  in  length.  The  prairie  is  quite  rolling,  in  many  places  amounting  to  hifls 
with  an  uncommonly  rich  and  fertile  soil.  There  is  in  this  county  less  waste 
land  on  account  of  sloughs  and  marshy  places  than  in  most  prairie  countries 
with  which  I  am  acquainted.  Yet  the  land  is  admirably  well  watered,  there 
being  a  clear  creek  nearly  every  mile,  wending  its  way  through  the  prairie  to 
the  Pecatonica  River.  These,  I  am  told,  originate  in  springs,  the  water  always 
being  clear  and  pure  and  the  streams  never  dry.  The  banks  of  the  creeks  are 
usually  high  and  the  land  on  either  side  of  the  water's  edge,  is  perfectly  dry. 
A  heavy  body  of  timber  is  to  be  found  on  the  north  side  of  the  Pecatonica 
River,  the  best  growth  I  have  ever  found  in  the  state.  It  is  mainly  oak,  and  in 
many  places  we  find  a  variety  of  timber." 

Many  of  the  early  settlers  came  from  two  sources.  One  was  from  the  men 
who  were  attracted  to  the  lead  mine  regions.  Many  of  these  men  passed  through 
Stephenson  County  by  way  of  the  old  Kellog  trail.  They  were  impressed  by 
the  beauty  and  the  wealth  of  the  agricultural  resources  of  the  county  and,  in 
due  time,  when  fortunes  did  not  hastily  develop  in  the  lead  regions,  they 
thought  of  necessity  to  return  to  the  slower  but  surer  road  to  competence — 
agriculture.  Remembering  what  they  had  seen  of  this  county  and  its  oppor- 
tunities, they  turned  back  to  the  eastward  along  the  old  trail  and  from  Wad- 
dams  and  Kellog's  Groves,  they  took  up  claims  along  the  valleys  of  Yellow 
Creek  and  the  Pecatonica. 

Another  source  of  settlement  was  the  soldiers  of  Black  Hawk's  War.  They 
too  had  crossed  and  recrossed  the  county  and  had  not  failed  to  be  impressed 
by  its  opportunities  and  resources.  The  Indians  were  driven  out  and  many  of 
the  veterans  of  the  war,  returned  here  with  their  families  to  take  up  claims. 
The  land  down  the  state  was  well  taken  and  prices  had  advanced.  But  here, 
they  could  own  a  quarter  section,  for  a  small  payment  to  the  land  office  at 
Dixon.  For  the  most  part,  they  were  progressive  and  courageous  men  and 
good  citizens,  who  were  not  afraid  to  leave  a  settled  community  to  find  larger 
opportunities  amidst  the  dangers  and  privations  of  life  on  the  front  wave  of 
civilization. 

Naturally  a  few  worthless  characters  drifted  into  the  county.  They  had 
been  undesirable  citizens  in  the  east  and  in  the  older  communities,  and  had  been 
compelled  to  go  towards  the  west.  But  here  they  found  too  many  people  of 
the  better  class  and  many  of  them  soon  moved  on  to  the  farther  west.  The 
settlers  here  were  devoted  to  industry  and  to  orderly  civil  government.  It 
was  not  an  enticing  place  for  the  idle  or  the  outlaw. 

Mr.  Lyman  Brewster  settled  in  the  county  and  built  a  ferry  near  Winslow 
in  the  spring  of  1834.  Lyman  Brewster  was  a  native  of  Vermont.  He  settled 
first  in  Tennessee.  From  Tennessee  he  moved  his  family  to  Peru,  Illinois,  and 
in '1834  settled  in  Winslow  township  where  he  entered  a  claim,  built  a  cabin, 
cleared  80  acres  of  ground  and  opened  Brewster's  Ferry,  the  first  on  the  Peca- 
tonica. He  soon  thereafter  rented  the  ferry  to  William  Robey  and  returned 
to  Peru.  In  1835,  Lemuel  W.  Streator  purchased  the  Brewster  property,  the 
ferry  and  640  acres  for  $4,000,  which  was  paid  to  the  Brewster  heirs,  Lyman 
Brewster  having  died  at  Peru.  In  1836,  Stewart  and  McDavel  opened  a  store 
in  Ransomberg.  Later  they  moved  to  Oneco.  George  Payne  also  stopped  at 


64  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Brewster's  Ferry  that  year,  and  George  W.  Lott  built  a  shanty  in  the  present 
limits  of  Winslow.  Others  who  settled  near  Winslow  were  Harry  and  Jerry 
Waters  and  A.  C.  Ransom. 


RANSOMBERG. 

Mr.  Ransom  was  a  real-estate  man,  a  promoter  with  a  powerful  imagina- 
tion. He  has  the  honor  of  having  laid  out  the  first  town  in  Stephenson  County. 
Of  course,  it  was  a  paper  town,  located  about  1^/2  miles  below  Brewster's 
Ferry.  At  this  time,  1834,  speculation  in  western  lands  was  quite  general 
throughout  the  east.  The  good  times  dating  from  1825  had  caused  a  great 
boom  all  over  the  United  States.  Abundant  issues  of  paper  money  and  wild- 
cat banking  schemes  and  lotteries  filled  the  public  mind  with  a  spirit  of  specu- 
lation. Towns  were  platted  in  the  wilderness  of  the  west  and  although  the 
location  was  indefinite,  the  circulars  were  so  attractive  and  the  spirit  of  specula- 
tion so  high  that  many  men  bought  corner  lots  in  these  paper  cities  at  unwar- 
ranted prices.  The  country  was  passing  through  a  period  of  feverish  excite- 
ment. 

Mr.  A.  C.  Ransom's  makeup  was  such  that  he  was  caught  up  in  the  wild 
speculation  enthusiasm  of  the  day.  He  entered  a  tract  of  land  below  Brewster's 
Ferry  and  set  his  imagination  to  work  building  up  a  modern  town  in  the  wilder- 
ness. The  land  was  surveyed  and  platted.  Charts  and  maps  were  drawn  up 
such  as  would  induce  the  investor  to  part  with  his  money.  The  map  of  the 
proposed  city  was  illustrated  in  attractive  colors,  and  showed  streets  and  ave- 
nues in  beautiful  and  regular  arrangement.  The  map  showed  beautiful  parks, 
made  attractive  by  shrubbery,  fountains  and  statuary.  Wharves  extended  into 
the  Pecatonica  were  shown,  and  on  the  painted  river,  a  painted  steamboat  gave 
signs  of  the  commercial  advantages  of  the  wilderness.  Mr.  Ransom  added  a 
touch  of  reality  to  the  game  by  establishing  a  store  in  his  city.  Land  agents, 
however,  failed  to  make  many  sales  at  fabulous  prises,  regardless  of  the  great 
inducements  offered.  The  people  were  too  unimaginative  and  too  conservative, 
for  they  seemed  to  invest  real  money  in  real  values.  Yet,  it  is  maintained  that 
Mr.  Ransom  sold  a  corner  lot  to  an  eager  buyer  in  St.  Louis  for  $500.  The 
scheme  failed  and  Mr.  Ransom,  disappointed,  went  to  Texas,  and  a  plain, 
unadorned  cornfield  occupies  the  site  of  the  once  beautifully  illustrated  paper 
city  of  Ransomberg. 

Simon  Davis,  Andrew  Clarno  and  John  M.  Curtis  settled  in  Oneco  town- 
ship in  1834.  Some  claim  an  earlier  date  but  this  is  not  certain.  Clarno  set- 
fled  on  Honey  Creek  and  Davis  near  Oneco.  In  1835,  Lorin  and  Fred  Remay 
opened  farms  in  the  same  section  as  did  also  Ralph  Hildebrand  and  Jonas 
Strohm.  In  the  spring  of  1835,  John  Goddard  settled  in  Buckeye  township, 
and  Jones  and  Lucas  came  in  the  fall.  Andrew  St.  John,  Ira,  Job  and  Daniel 
Holley  in  1836.  The  next  year  besides  those  mentioned  elsewhere,  G.  W. 
Clingman,  J.  Tharp,  Jackson  Richart,  Lazarus  Snyder,  Jacob  Brown  and  Joseph 
Green  opened  farms  in  Buckeye.  In  1836,  Andrew  Jackson  and  Jefferson  Niles 
built  a  shanty  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Pecatonica  in  Ridott  Township.  Others 
who  settled  in  Ridott  that  year  were  Sawyer  Forbes,  Daniel  Wooten,  Horace 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  65 

Colburn,  Mr.  Wickham,  John  Reed.  The  Ridott  settlement  was  strengthened 
in  1837  by  the  arrival  of  Caleb  Thompkins,  G.  A.  Seth,  Isaac  and  Eldridge  Far- 
well,  Garrett  Floyd,  Norman,  Levi,  Isaac  and  Orsemus  Brace.  In  1835,  in  the 
fall,  Jesse  Willet  opened  a  farm  near  that  of  James  Timms  in  Kent.  Four 
miles  north,  Calvin  and  Jabez  Giddings  settled;  Gilbert  Osbern  joined  the  Kent 
colony  in  the  fall  of  1836. 

Levi  Wilcoxen  built  a  mill  on  Richard  Creek  on  the  present  site  of  Sciota 
Mills  in  1836.  John  Lewis  put  in  the  water  wheel  and  Mr.  Wilcoxen  was  as- 
sisted by  the  following:  John  Edwards,  George  Cockerell,  William  Goddard, 
Alpheus  Goddard,  Peter  Smith,  Wesley  Bradford,  Homer  Graves  and  John  As- 
comb.  The  mill  began  work  in  August  of  1836.  William  Kirkpatrick,  it  is 
believed  by  many,  built  a  mill  on  Yellow  Creek  at  Mill  Grove,  Loran  -town- 
ship in  1836.  Some  say  the  date  is  1839.  Kirkpatrick  was  a  member  of  the 
Freeport  firm  of  Baker,  Kirkpatrick,  Galbraith  &  Co. 

Benson  Mcllhenny  settled  near  Hickory  Grove,  Dakota  township,  in  1836. 
Albert  Alberson  and  Jonathan  Corey  settled  at  Rock  Grove  in  1836.  Eli 
Frankenberger  came  the  same  year,  and  Louisa  Frankenberger  was  the  first 
white  child  born  in  Rock  Grove  Township. 

The  year  1837  stands  as  a  milestone  in  the  history  of  Stephenson  County. 
This  year,  the  county  was  organized  and  civil  government  was  established 
within  its  present  boundaries.  Up  to  this  time  the  settlers  had  been  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  Jo  Daviess  County.  The  seat  of  government  at  Galena, 
however,  was  so  far  away  that  as  an  old  settler  put  it,  "but  few  of  the  people 
of  Stephenson  County  knew  they  were  under  the  government  of  Jo  Daviess 
County."  In  fact,  from  the  settlement  of  William  Waddams,  'at  Waddams  in 
1833  tiM  J837,  there  was  no  real  civil  government  in  Stephenson  County. 

That  does  not  mean,  however,  that  there  was  no  government.  There  was 
little  lawlessness  and  anarchy  did  not  prevail.  The  people  who  came  into  the 
county  did  what  the  English  settlers  have  always  done.  They  observed  a  cer- 
tain "unwritten"  law,  and  when  necessary  organized  to  protect  their  interests 
and  rights.  During  this  period,  undesirables  were  piloted  beyond  the  settle- 
ments and  warned  not  to  return. 

The  State  Legislature  in  session  at  Vandalia,  on  March  4th,  1837,  passed 
an  act  providing  for  the  organization  of  Stephenson  County.  The  act  is  as 
follows : 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  represented  in  the 
General  Assembly,  that  all  that  tract  of  country  within  the  following  boundaries, 
to-wit:  Commencing  on  the  northern  boundary  of  the  state,  where  the  section 
line  between  sections  three  and  four,  in  town  29  North,  Range  5,  east  of  the 
principal  meridian,  strikes  said  line,  and  thence  east  on  the  northern  boundary 
line  of  the  state,  to  the  range  line  between  Ranges  9  and  10  East,  thence  south 
on  said  range  line  to  the  northern  boundary  of  Ogle  County,  thence  west  on  the 
northern  boundary  of  Ogle  County  to  and  passing  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
county  to  the  line  between  sections  33  and  34,  in  Township  26  North,  Range  5, 
east  to  the  place  of  beginning,  shall  form  a  county  to  be  called  Stephenson,  as 
a  tribute  of  respect  to  the  late  Colonel  Benjamin  Stephenson. 

Section  2.     An  election  shall  be  held  at  the  house  of  William  Baker,  in  said 


66  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

county  on  the  first  Monday  of  May  next,  for  one  sheriff,  one  coroner,  one 
recorder,  one  county  surveyor,  three  county  commissioners,  and  one  clerk  of 
the  county  commissioners  court,  who  shall  hold  their  offices  till  the  next  suc- 
ceeding general  elections,  and  until  their  successors  are  elected  and  qualified; 
which  said  election  shall  be  conducted  in  all  respects  agreeable  to  the  law  reg- 
ulating elections.  Provided  that  the  qualified  voters  present  may  elect  from 
their  own  number  three  qualified  voters  to  act  as  judges  of  said  election,  who 
shall  appoint  two  qualified  voters  to  act  as  clerks." 

THE  FIRST  ELECTION. 

There  was  great  rejoicing  in  the  county  over  this  act  -of  the  State  Legislature. 
It  meant  much  to  the  few  struggling  settlements.  The  fact  that  the  county  was 
to  be  organized  as  a  separate  political  unit,  with  a  county  seat  and  county  offi- 
cials would  be  a  big  advertisement  for  the  county  in  the  east.  That  would 
mean  that  Stephenson  County  would  get  her  share  of  immigrants  who  were 
sure  to  be  coming  west.  The  next  step  was  the  election. 

The  Legislature  had  set  the  first  Monday  of  May  as  election  day  and  had 
designated  the  house  of  William  Baker  as  the  voting  place.  The  men  selected 
to  act  as  judges  of  the  election  were  Orleans  Daggett,  James  W.  Fowler  and 
Thomas  J.  Turner.  They  selected  Benjamin  Goddard  and  John  C.  Wickham- 
to  act  as  clerks.  The  election  passed  off  without  excitement.  It  was  too  early 
for  factions  and  party  organizations  to  be  formed.  The  number  of  votes  cast 
was  121.  William  Kirkpatrick  was  elected  sheriff;  Lorenzo  Lee,  coroner; 
Orestes  H.  Wright,  commissioner's  clerk  and  recorder;  Lemuel  W.  Streator, 
Isaac  S.  Forbes  and  Julius  Smith,  commissioners;  and  Frederick  D.  Bukley, 
county  surveyor.  These  officials  were  duly  qualified  and  took  up  their  respect- 
ive duties. 

May  8,  1837,  the  county  commissioners  court  held  its  first  meeting,  accord- 
ing to  law,  and  the  officials  previously  elected  were  qualified.  The  first  session, 
it  is  maintained,  was  held  in  the  residence  of  O.  H.  Wright.  The  court  then 
laid  off  the  county  in  election  precincts,  as  follows : 

Freeport  precinct  began  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Central  precinct,  south 
to  the  south  line  of  the  county,  west  to  the  east  line  of  Waddams  precinct, 
north  to  the  south  line  of  Central  precinct  and  east  to  he  place  of  beginning. 
Seth  Scott,  A.  O.  "Preston  and  L.  O.  Crocker  were  appointed  judges  of  election. 

Central  precinct  commenced  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Silver  Creek  pre- 
cinct, south  five  miles,  west  13  miles,  north  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Brewster 
precinct,  thence  east  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Ira  Jones,  Levi  Lucas  and 
Alpheus  Goddard  were  appointed  judges. 

Brewster  precinct  commenced  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Rock  Grove  pre- 
cinct, running  south  6  miles,  west  n  miles,  north  to  the  state  line  and  east  to 
the  place  of  beginning.  L.  R.  Hull,  John  M.  Curtiss  and  N.  E.  Ransom  were 
appointed  judges. 

Rock  Grove  precinct  began  at  the  northeastern  corner  of  the  county  and 
ran  south  6  miles,  thence  west  9  miles,  thence  north  to  the  state  line,  thence 
east  to  point  of  starting.  J.  R.  Blackmore,  Johnathan  Cora  and  Eli  Franken- 
berger  were  appointed  judges. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  67 

Waddams  precinct  began  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Brewster  precinct,  south 
to  the  south  line  of  the  county,  west  on  the  county  line  to  the  west  line  of  the 
county,  north  to  the  north  line  of  the  county,  and  east  to  the  point  of  starting. 
William  Waddams,  Othmiel  Preston  and  John  Garner  were  appointed  judges  of 
election. 

Silver  Creek  precinct  commenced  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Rock  Grove  pre- 
cinct, south  to  the  south  line  of  the  county,  7  miles  west,  north  to  the  line  of 
Rock  Grove  precinct,  thence  east  to  place  of  beginning. 

In  this  manner,  the  county  commissioners  laid  off  the  county  in  six  large 
precincts.  Each  one,  however,  contained  only  a  small  number  of  straggling  set- 
tlers. This  act  paved  the  way  for  local  government  in  the  subdivisions  of  the 
county. 

While  this  first  court  was  in  session,  a  man  who  had  imbibed  too  freely  of 
"Corn  juice"  became  boisterous  and  started  out  to  paint  the  town  red.  The 
fellow  was  arrested  by  the  newly  elected  sheriff,  Kirkpatrick,  and  locked  up  in 
William  Baker's  root  house  till  he  sobered  off.  He  was  then  released  without 
fine  or  trial.  There  was,  as  yet,  no  jail.  Prior  to  county  organization,  unde- 
sirables were  shown  the  way  out  of  the  settlement,  which  was  less  expensive,  at 
least,  than  boarding  them  in  the  county  bastile.  Besides,  in  those  days  there  was 
an  excellent  spirit  of  fair  play  and  there  was  little  necessity  for  police  because 
every  man  in  those  frontier  settlements  was  amply  able  to  take  care  of  himself. 
Otherwise,  he  would  have  remained  east. 

The  commissioners  evidently  were  "insurgents."  Today  they  would  not 
hesitate  to  pass  laws  regulating  railroads  and  other  corporations.  At  their  first 
session  they  undertook  to  regulate,  in  the  interest  of  public  welfare,  the  only 
public  service  institution  there  doing  business,  the  hotels.  The  court  passed 
an  ordinance,  prohibiting  inn-keepers  from  charging  more  than  2>71/2  cents 
for  a  meal,  12^4  cents  for  a  night's  lodging  and  25  cents  for  a  measure  of  oats 
and  the  same  price  for  a  horse  to  hay  over  night. 

LOCATING  THE  COUNTY  SEAT. 

The  State  Legislature  had  appointed  three  men,  Vance  L.  Davidson,  Isaac 
Chambers  and  Miner  York,  to  locate  the  county  seat.  This  kept  up  consid- 
erable excitemenfc  among  the  settlers  till  the  location  was  agreed  upon.  Propo- 
sitions and  petitions  came  in  from  all  parts  of  the  county  where  any  consider- 
able settlement  had  been  made.  Each  section  set  forth  its  particular  claims  and 
pressed  them  with  great  persistence.  The  two  strongest  contenders  were  Cedar- 
ville  and  Freeport.  Cedarville's  claim  was  that  it  was  near  the  center  of  the 
county.  Its  claims  were  pushed  by  Thompson  and  Rezin  Wilcoxen.  But  it 
was  a  case  of  an  argument  of  real  town  against  a  "paper"  town.  Cedarville, 
as  a  village,  was  yet  to  be  built.  It  was  not  surveyed  or  laid  out.  Freeport  had 
been  surveyed  and  laid  out,  contained  a  half  dozen  houses,  a  store,  a  hotel, 
trading  post,  a  kind  of  ferry  and  a  saloon.  Besides,  it  seems,  the  business  men 
of  Freeport  got  busy.  The  land  company  that  had  laid  out  the  town,  offered 
to  give  $6,500  for  the  erection  of  county  buildings  and  William  Baker,  mer- 
chant, real-estate  dealer  and  promoter,  offered  the  additional  argument  that 


68  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

besides  donating  the  lot  for  the  county  buildings  each  of  the  commissioners 
should  receive  a  lot.  Many,  including  the  Rev.  F.  C.  Winslow,  claimed  that 
these  "inducements"  influenced  the  judgment  of  the  three  commissioners  and 
prejudiced  their  decision  in  locating  the  county  seat.  Whatever  the  truth  may 
be,  in  June,  1837,  the  commissioners  set  forth  the  following  proclamation :  We, 
the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  to  lo- 
cate the  county  seat  of  Stephenson  County  and  state  aforesaid,  have  located 
said  Seat  of  Justice,  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  31,  in  Township  27, 
North,  Range  8,  east  of  the  fourth  principal  Meridian,  now  occupied  and 
claimed  by  William  Kirkpatrick  &  Co.,  William  Baker  and  Smith  Galbraith. 

Whereunto  we  have  set  our  hands  and  seals  this  I2th  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1837. 

(Signed.) 

The  real  town  o'f  houses  and  business  had  won  out  against  the  theoretical. 
Whatever  the  inducements  may  have  been,  if  there  were  any  at  all,  there  have 
been  few  people  to  criticise  the  judgment  of  the  commissioners  in  locating  the 
county  seat  at  Freeport. 

THE  NAME  FREEPORT. 

Until  1836  the  settlement  at  Freeport  was  called  "Winneshiek,"  after  the 
Winnebago  chief  of  that  name  who  had  his  village  where  the  Illinois  Central 
station  now  stands.  It  is  not  known  who  named  it  Winneshiek,  it  probably 
being  taken  up  by  consent.  The  following  origin  of  the  name  "Freeport"  has 
been  handed  down  by  tradition  and  may  be  true.  William  Baker,  as  beiore 
related,  had  established  a  tavern  on  the  river  front.  Baker  was  a  hospitable 
gentlemen,  largely  by  natural  disposition,  and  in  part  because  he  was  our  first 
real-estate  agent.  Newcomers  were  given  the  glad  hand  in  true  frontier  fash- 
ion, and  the  latchstring  was  always  out  at  Baker's.  Many  of  these  strangers 
were  entertained  by  Baker  without  charge.  This  process  levied  heavily  upon 
the  stock  of  provisions  at  Baker's  and  kept  Mrs.  Baker  hard  at  work.  Mrs. 
Baker  finally  becoming  tired  of  the  business  and  annoyed  by  Baker's  reck- 
less hospitality,  gave  vent  to  her  feelings  one  morning  at  breakfast  and  an- 
nounced that  henceforth  the  place  should  be  called  free  port.  The  incident 
spread  immediately  over  the  community  and  the  citizens  thereafter  called  the 
town  Freeport. 

A  post-office  was  established  in  1837  in  a  small  room  on  Galena  Street  and 
B.  R.  Wilmot  was  appointed  postmaster,  the  first  in  the  county.  Previous  to 
that  time,  Thomas  Grain  of  Grain's  Grove  had  received  mail  for  Freeport  and 
carried  it  to  the  settlers,  collecting  the  dues  from  the  recipients  of  letters.  He 
got  the  mail  from  the  Funk  stages.  Postage  on  a  letter  ran  from  18%  to  25 
cents.  Wilmot  was  postmaster  till  1840. 

The  county  had  now  been  organized,  named,  the  county  seat  located  and 
named,  and  officials  had  been  elected.  Much  county  history  had  been  made 
from  the  time  that  William  Waddams  made  the  first  permanent  settlement  in 
1833  to  the  first  county  election  in  1837.  Stephenson  County  had  passed  from 
the  "inter-regnum"  of  rule  w;t''ort  Inw  into  an  organized  civil  government. 

The  land  company  had  made  considerable  improvements  in  Freeport  in  1837, 
reaching  to  Stephenson  Street.  Wilmot  and  the  Hollenbecks  had  built  cabins. 


STEPHEXSOX  COfXTY  JAIL 


OLD   ENGIXE   IIOt'SE   WHERE   CITY   HALL   NOW    STANDS 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  69 

An  occasional  circuit  rider  may  have  held  a  few  meetings  in  the  county  and 
in  1836  it  is  claimed  that  Father  McKean  preached  the  first  sermon  in  Free- 
port.  The  son  of  Lemuel  Streator  died  in  Winslow  township.  In  1836  Amanda 
VVaddams  was  born  at  Waddams. 

The  first  marriage  is  a  question  of  doubt.  This  distinction  is  claimed  for 
a  Mr.  Gage  and  Malindy  Eels  at  Ransomberg  in  1836,  and  by  Dr.  W.  G.  Bank- 
son  and  Phoebe  McComber  in  the  fall  of  1836.  Both,  it  is  claimed,  were  mar- 
ried by  Squire  William  Waddams.  There  is  absolute  evidence  of  the  latter. 
The  first  marriage  after  the  organization  of  the  county  was  that  of  Eunice 
Waddams,  daughter  of  William  Waddams,  to  George  Place,  July  4,  1837. 
Squire  Levi  Robey  performed  the  ceremony.  The  wedding  was  a  quiet  af- 
fair. Mrs.  Place  lived  for  years  in  the  house  built  by  her  father  in  1833. 
July  24,  1837,  James  Blain  and  Kate  Marsh  were  married  at  the  home  of  James 
Timms  at  Kellog's  Grove.  May  24,  1837,  Harvey  M.  Timms  was  born  at 
Kellog's  Grove,  being  one  of  the  earliest  births  recorded  in  the  county's  his- 
tory. Emma  Eads  died  in  Freeport  in  1836  in  a  two-story  frame  building 
used  as  a  tavern  at  the  foot  of  Stephenson  Street. 

Thomas  Milburn  and  a  man  named  Reed  lost  their  lives  in  the  Pecatonica 
in  1837,  a  short  distance  west  of  Ridott.  The  men  crossed  the  river  in  a 
dugout,  on  their  way  to  work.  One  morning  accompanied  by  a  Mr.  Wooten, 
a  stepson  of  Thomas  Grain,  they  started  forth  in  the  dugout  to  cross  the  river. 
The  current  was  swift  and  the  clumsy  boat  upset.  Reed  and  Milburn  were 
unable  to  swim  and  after  making  vain  efforts  to  cling  to  the  boat,  both  were 
drowned.  Wooten  was  a  fair  swimmer  and  after  a  desperate  struggle,  reached 
the  opposite  shore.  The  settlers  near  by  were  aroused  by  Wooten,  the  river 
was  dragged  and  after  many  laborious  hours  the  bodies  were  brought  to  the 
shore.  A  large  emigrant  wagon  served  as  a  hearse  and  the  men  were  buried  on 
a  hillside.  After  the  grave  was  dug,  the  bodies  were  laid  in  and  covered  with 
hazel  brush,  and  the  grave  filled  up  with  dirt.  It  was  a  simple,  plain  burial, 
but  in  those  days  lumber  for  boxes  or  rude  caskets  was  not  easily  obtained. 
Such  a  grave  was  not  secure.  A  few  days  later  a  man  passing  by  found  that 
the  wolves  had  dug  into  the  grave  and  the  fustian  trousers  of  one  of  the  men 
were  exposed.  The  passerby  threw  in  some  dirt  and  securing  a  large  block  of 
wood,  drove  it  into  the  opening.  The  grave  was  not  molested  thereafter  and 
the  place  was  a  point  of  interest  for  years. 

The  winter  of  1836-7  was  an  exceedingly  hard  one.  The  small  and  scat- 
tered settlements  in  the  county  suffered  not  less  than  the  Pilgrims  who  landed 
at  Plymouth  in  1620.  The  cold  was  intense  and  the  cabins  built  without  foun- 
dations, and  left  with  many  "chinks,"  were  more  readily  ventilated  than 
heated.  It  is  difficult  to  realize  the  hardships  of  the  early  settlers,  and  an  in- 
sight into  their  primitive  lives  is  bound  to  fill  this  generation  with  pride  for 
the  courage  and  perseverance  of  those  who  first  settled  here. 

1837- 

It  is  hardly  conceivable  that  a  person  who  settled  in  this  county  as  one  of 
the  pioneers  in  1837  would  be  living  today,  active  and  vigorous,  and  in  the 


70  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

full  possession  of  the  mental  faculties.  Yet,  it  is  true.  In  Cedarville  there 
lives  probably  the  most  remarkable  resident  of  the  county,  Mrs.  Maria  Simp- 
son Clingman.  She  was  born  in  Scioto  County,  Ohio,  December  12,  1809, 
being  now  in  her  loist  year.  She  lives  in  a  pleasant  home  in  Cedarville  with 
her  son,  William  Clingman,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  When  the  writer 
called  to  see  her,  August  2,  1910,  he  found  her  cheerfully  pulling  a  few 
weeds  in  the  garden.  It  was  a  rare  privilege  to  sit  and  listen  to  her  tell  the 
story  of  early  days  and  turn  the  pages  of  seventy-three  years  of  history. 

She  married  Josiah  Cling-man  in  1830  and  in  1835,  with  two  children,  the 
family  moved  first  to  Putnam  and  then  to  LaSalle  County,  Illinois.  The  fam- 
ily came  by  boat  down  the  Ohio  and  up  the  Mississippi  and  the  Illinois  to  La- 
Salle. Jack  Ritchie  drove  the  ox  team  and  wagon  across  the  country.  Land 
was  well  settled  up  about  LaSalle  and  in  1836,  on  horseback,  Josiah  Clingman 
came  into  Stephenson  and  selected  a  claim  north  of  Cedarville.  In  1837  he  brought 
his  family  to  settle  on  the  claim.  With  a  horse  hitched  on  in  front  of  his  ox 
team,  Mr.  Clingman,  his  wife  and  three  children,  George,  Mary  and  Chester, 
the  latter  being  born  in  LaSalle  County,  with  the  simple  household  goods  stored 
in  a  hogshead,  a  cow  and  calf  following  behind,  drove  into  Cedarville.  Mrs. 
Clingman  says  that  at  that  time,  the  only  evidence  of  settlers  in  the  present 
village  was  a  little  log  shack  and  a  mill  claim.  As  they  drove  past  the  present 
mill  site,  Mr.  Clingman  remarked  that  a  mill  was  to  be  built  there.  When 
asked  why  he  knew  that  he  pointed  out  two  logs  that  had  been  cut  and  laid 
across  each  other  near  the  rapids,  he  said  it  was  the  mark  of  a  mill  claim  and 
that  was  respected  on  the  frontier.  The  rule  was  that  the  man  had  the  right  of 
claim  who  did  the  first  work.  These  logs  had  been  placed  by  John  Goddard, 
who  sold  his  claim  to  Dr.  Van  Valzah  that  same  year. 

Josiah  Clingman  had  begun  a  log  house  when  he  took  up  his  claim  the  year 
before.  While  a  roof  was  being  put  on  the  house,  the  family  stayed  with  Levi 
Lucas,  whose  one  room  was  small  enough  but  whose  hospitality  was  unlimited. 
The  one-room  log  house  was  crowded  and  the  men  slept  in  a  "potato  hole,"  dug 
out  under  the  cabin. 

When  the  roof  was  completed,  the  Clingmans  moved  into  their  own,  just 
log  walls,  board  roof  and  a  dirt  floor.  A  kind  of  shelf,  made  of  a  slab,  laid 
on  pins  driven  into  the  wall  served  as  a  table.  While  this  was  placed  so  that 
it  would  be  the  right  height  when  a  board  floor  could  be  laid,  it  was  far  too  high 
to  be  convenient  from  the  dirt  floor.  Mr.  Clingman  heard  of  a  place  on  Yel- 
low Creek  where  he  could  get  boards  for  a  floor,  and  after  a  laborious  trip 
with  ox-team,  he  returned  with  a  load  of  black  walnut  lumber  with  which  a 
floor  was  made. 

In  such  a  home  housekeeping  was  simplified.  Mrs.  Clingman  says  she  got 
along  five  or  six  years  without  a  stove.  The  cooking  was  done  on  a  fireplace. 
She  had  brought  a  few  cooking  utensils  from  Ohio,  pots,  skillets,  spiders,  etc. 
She  made  the  clothing  for  the  family.  She  made  their  hats  and  caps.  She 
picked  the  wool,  spun  the  yarn,  which  was  fulled  and  made  into  cloth  at  Orange- 
ville,  and  made  for  her  husband  his  first  overcoat,  colored,  with  two  capes. 
All  the  clothing  was  home-made. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  71 

They  had  brought  the  cow  and  so  had  milk  and  butter.  A  bee  tree  was  sooq 
found  and  Mrs.  Clingman  and  her  husband  hived  them  in  a  barrel  and  al- 
ways had  honey  thereafter.  Flour  could  not  always  be  had,  as  it  was  neces- 
sary to  go  to  Galena  or  Wolf  Creek.  When  out  of  flour  or  meal,  corn  was 
grated  on  a  grater,  and  this  coarse  meal  was  made  into  "dodgers."  The  first 
flour  they  got  came  from  Galena  and  was  made  from  spring  wheat.  Mrs. 
Clingman  said  it  made  good  biscuits,  but  would  not  make  loaf  bread.  The 
flour  was  brought  to  Brewster's  Ferry  from  Galena  in  a  wagon  drawn  by  an 
ox  and  a  cow,  and  Mr.  Clingman  brought  it  from  Brewster's  by  ox-team.  Other 
supplies  were  secured  from  Savannah.  Mr.  Clingman's  father  and  mother, 
Geo.  W.  and  Polly  Clingman,  joined  them  in  the  new  home  before  the  floor 
was  laid.  They  had  left  an  elegant  home  in  Ohio,  but  after  looking  around 
Cedarville  and  killing  a  deer,  the  elder  Mr.  Clingman  said,  "Polly,  I  would  not 
go  back  to  Ohio  for  anything,"  but  his  wife  not  yet  accustomed  to  frontier 
life,  rebuked  him  for  the  enthusiastic  expression.  Besides  a  few  deer  there 
were  quail,  pheasants,  prairie  chicken,  etc.,  which  afforded  a  pleasing  change 
from  salt  pork.  But  Mrs.  Clingman  is  impressive  in  her  earnestness  when 
she  tells  of  the  generous  hospitality  of  the  earlier  days.  All  were  obliging 
and  there  was  no  envy  and  jealousy.  A  splendid  spirit  of  cooperation  pre- 
vailed. And  however  simple  and  plain  the  home  and  equipments;  however  ar- 
duous the  trials  and  difficulties  of  the  log  -cabin  days,  the  people  were  happy, 
she  says,  maybe  happier  than  the  present  generation.  Her  children  always  had 
plenty  to  eat  and  wear  and  were  well  dressed.  In  closing  the  interview  she 
said:  "It  was  for  the  children  that  we  left  comfortable  homes  in  Ohio  in  the 
midst  of  relatives  and  friends,  to  make  a  new  home  here  in  the  wilds,  where 
land  was  cheap.  Here  we  could  find  homes  and  farms  for  the  children  and 
they  have  all  done  well." 

Mrs.  Clingman's  life  in  this  county  covers  the  period  of  1837  to  1910;  from 
the  year  of  the  organization  of  the  county  to  the  present  day.  She  is  now  the 
idol  of  the  community,  always  a  source  of  inspiration  to  the  young  people  who 
listen  at  her  knee  to  the  stories  of  long  ago. 

Norman  Phillips  and  wife  came  to  Stephenson  County  from  New  York  by 
way  of  the  Great  Lakes  in  1837.  At  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  James  Phillips 
was  born.  The  Phillips  family  settled  at  Damascus  and  has  been  one  of  the 
prominent  families  in  the  county.  The  Phillips  men  have  always  maintained 
a  reputation  for  great  height,  any  of  them  shorter  than  6  feet  2  inches  being 
the  exception.  Norman  Phillips'  wife  was  Mary  Stout,  of  Maryland,  whose 
ancestry  runs  backs  to  Holland  and  to  England.  Her  mother  was  a  Wolfe,  in 
some  way  related  to  General  James  Wolfe,  the  conqueror  of  Quebec  in  1859. 

So  far  the  "claims"  were  respected  only  by  the  "unwritten  law  of  the  set- 
tlers themselves."  If  a  man  selected  a  piece  of  land  to  his  liking  and  "blazed"  a 
tree  around  it,  or  cut  a  furrow  around  it,  he  was  secure  and  guaranteed  in  its 
possession.  The  lands  were  not  yet  surveyed  and  not  yet  open  to  sale.  The 
settler  held  his  claim  till  the  government  put  the  land  on  the  market,  and  then 
he  alone  could  buy  it.  Many  difficulties  and  disputes  arose  when  the  land  of- 
fice at  Dixon  opened  the  sale  in  1843.  1°  general,  the  rightful  claimants  won 
out.  In  the  absence  of  law,  claim  societies  were  organized  by  the  settlers  to 


72  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

protect  themselves  against  speculators  and  "claim  jumpers."  Stringent  meas- 
ures were  sometimes  resorted  to  and  strong  hints  given  certain  disturbers  and 
undesirable  citizens  to  move  on  to  the  west.  In  1836  a  "claim  meeting"  was 
organized.  A  president,  secretary  and  board  of  directors  were  selected.  The 
object  of  the  organization  was  mutual  protection  and  cooperation.  If  a  mem- 
ber's claim  was  encroached  upon,  his  complaint  was  investigated  by  the  officials. 
The  trespasser  would  then  be  notified  and  warned  to  abandon  the  claim  in  five 
days.  If  he  did  not  comply,  he  would  be  "carefully  removed  with  his  effects 
from  the  premises."  There  was  a  general  understanding  that  two  sections,  two 
miles  square,  should  be  the  extreme  limit  claimed  by  heads  of  families. 

A  man  named  John  Barker  tested  the  sincerity  of  the  "claims"  organiza- 
tion. In  1839  he  settled  on  one  of  Benjamin  Goddard's  claims,  now  a  part  of 
Freeport,  and  refused  to  withdraw.  He  was  brought  before  a  committee  of 
which  William  Baker,  the  founder,  was  chairman.  The  committee,  after  hear- 
ing the  evidence  decided  that  Barker  was  guilty  and  ordered  him  to  vacate  in 
a  certain  time  or  receive  30  lashes.  Barker  was  a  poor  student  of  human  nature 
and  failed  to  leave  on  schedule  time,  taking  a  long  chance  with  those  stern 
frontier  men.  When  his  time  had  expired,  he  was  seized,  tied  up  by  his  thumbs 
and  given  the  prescribed  lashes.  He  had  a  change  of  heart  and  was  willing  to 
obey  now,  but  he  was  escorted  to  the  county  line  and  advised  to  keep  forever 
out  of  the  county  or  he  would  be  hanged.  George  Whitman  had  previously 
been  driven  out  of  the  county  by  the  citizens  because  he  had  been  held  guilty 
of  stealing  horses.  This  "unwritten  law"  had  two  very  creditable  features — 
it  was  prompt  and  effective. 

It  was  believed  that  a  big  boom  was  coming  in  Illinois  in  1836  and  1837.  Set- 
tlers had  been  coming  into  the  state  in  large  numbers.  Speculation  was  in- 
dulged in  and  laws  were  passed  by  the  State  Legislature,  providing  for  a  sys- 
tem of  internal  improvements,  based  on  the  faith  and  credit  of  the  state.  A  bill 
was  passed,  providing  for  the  construction  of  railroads,  canals  and  improve- 
ment of  rivers.  Great  results  were  expected  to  follow.  Banks  overreached  their 
resources.  People  went  heavily  in  debt.  The  whole  structure,  practically,  fell 
down  before  it  got  started. 

Hard  times  followed,  not  only  in  Illinois  but  all  over  the  country.  There 
had  been  too  much  flirting  with  paper  money,  loose  banking  and  speculation. 
The  bottom  fell  out.  The  hard  times,  no  doubt,  were  felt  here  in  this  county, 
but  the  main  result  was  the  check  given  to  prospective  immigration. 

The  year  1836  was  a  big  year  in  the  settlement  of  this  county.  Reports 
had  had  time  to  get  east  and  the  encouraging  letters  to  friends,  telling  of  big 
and  sure  opportunities  here,  brought  out  a  large  number  of  settlers.  Many  of 
them  were  men  of  great  ability  and  were  destined  to  take  high  rank  in  state  and 
nation.  For  the  time  being,  however,  they  served  well  the  immediate  purpose 
of  settling  up  the  country  and  adding  to  its  social,  economic  and  political  life. 
Among  the  settlers  this  year  were  the  following,  many  of  whom  brought 
their  families:  Thomas  J.  Turner,  Pells  Manny,  Alford  and  Sanford  Giddings, 
Washington  Perkey,  "Widow"  Swanson  and  family,  Thomas  Flynn,  E.  Mul- 
larkey,  Henry  Hulse,  M.  Welsh,  William  and  Leonard  Lee,  Nathan  Blackmore, 
Aaron  Baker,  John  Pile,  Ira  Job,  Daniel  Holly,  Lydia  Wart  and  family,  Thomas 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  73 

Hawkins,  John  Boyington,  M.  Phillips,  John  Lobdell,  L.  M.  and  Jeremiah 
Griggsby,  Barney  Howell,  Mr.  Veliey  Nicholas  Marcellus,  John  Dennison,  W. 
P.  Bankson,  M.  D.,  the  first  physician  to  settle  in  the  county,  Harmon  Cogges- 
hall,  James  Macumber,  Alonzo  Denio,  Duke  Chilton,  William  Kirkpatrick,  Gil- 
bert Osborn,  A.  J.  Niles,  Sanford  Niles,  Sawyer  Forbes,  Daniel  Wooten,  John 
Reed,  E.  H.  D.  Sanborn,  the  Ostranders,  Garrett  Lloyd,  Asa  Nichols,  Lorenzo 
Lee,  Madison  Carnefix,  Phillip  Fowler,  D.  W.  C.  Mallory,  Joseph  Norris,  Thomas 
Hathaway,  his  mother-in-law,  a  Mrs.  Brown,  James  Shinkle,  and  a  few  others 
whose  names  have  not  been  preserved. 

Thomas  Grain,  who  came  to  Grain's  Grove  in  1835,  was  an  uncle  of  At- 
torney J.  A.  Grain  of  Freeport.  He  was  of  an  old  English  family,  the  first  of 
which  came  to  America  in  1645.  One  branch  settled  in  Georgia,  later  removed 
to  Kentucky,  then  to  Randolph  County,  Illinois.  From  there,  Thomas  Grain,  at- 
tracted into  this  section  by  the  lead  mines,  after  serving  in  the  Black  Hawk 
War,  settled  Grain's  Grove  south  of  Freeport. 

Conrad  Van  Brocklin  came  from  New  York  to  Florence  township  in  1835. 
He  was  the  first  settler  in  what  is  now  Florence  Township.  Harvey  P.  Wa- 
ters was  of  English  descent.  He  came  to  Stephenson  County  from  New  York 
in  1836,  and  settled  in  Ridott  township.  He  worked  as  a  farm  hand  a  year 
and  then  entered  a  claim  of  66  acres  in  Ridott  township.  He  married  Miss 
Mary  Lloyd,  of  Welsh  descent,  whose  home  was  near  Pecatonica  and  who  was 
educated  at  Mt.  Morris  College. 

John  Brown,  1836,  Scotch,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  educated  in  Ohio, 
moved  to  Illinois,  1827,  served  in  Black  Hawk  War,  was  married  in  1834, 
settled  in  Stephenson  County  in  1837.  He  had  visited  the  county  in  1834.  John 
Brown  was  a  great  plowman.  He  broke  prairie  land  for  16  years.  At  one 
time  he  owned  over  1,000  acres  of  land  and  in  1888  owned  700  acres.  Elliot 
Lee  and  wife  drove  from  Hamilton  County,  Indiana,  to  Rock  Run  Township 
in  30  days  in  1836.  His  father  was  a  native  of  North  Ireland.  His  wife  was 
Rachel  Kratzer.  The  Lees  had  a  family  of  12  children.  Mrs.  Swanson  and 
her  family  had  settled  in  Rock  Run  Township  in  1836.  Mullarkey  and  Thomas 
Foley  established  a  settlement  in  Rock  Run,  which  has  always  been  called  Irish 
Grove.  In  1827,  Pat  Giblin,  Miles  O'Brien  and  a  Mr.  Corcoran  joined  the 
Irish  settlement.  T.  J.  Turner  put  up  a  grist  mill  in  Section  34,  Rock  Run. 

In  May,  1836,  a  young  man  from  the  east  arrived  in  Stephenson  County, 
who  was  destined  to  be  a  man  of  deeds  and  influence  in  the  history  of  the 
county  and  State  of  Illinois.  His  name  was  T.  J.  Turner.  He  was  born  in 
Trumbull  County,  Ohio,  but  moved  with  his  father's  family  to  Butler  County, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  young  man  of  spirit  and  ambition,  and  at  the  age  of 
18  heard  the  call  of  the  great  west  and  started  for  the  much  talked  of  lead  mine 
district  of  Illinois  and  Wisconsin.  He  stopped  in  Chicago  a  time 
and  spent  three  years  in  La  Porte  County,  Indiana.  He  then  went  on  to  the 
lead  mines  and  earned  a  livelihood,  constructing  bellows  for  the  furnaces.  He 
then  fell  in  with  the  ebb  tide  that  brought  so  many  easterners  back  to  Stephen- 
son  County  after  an  experience  in  the  lead  mines.  Young  Turner  had  learned 
the  trade  of  a  millwright  and  going  into  Rock  Run  Township,  built  a  mill  near 
Farwell's  Ferry  on  the  Pecatonica  near  the  mouth  of  Rock  Run.  Nearby  with 


74  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Julius  Smith  and  B.  Thatcher,  he  built  a  cabin  home.  His  life  here  was  not  a 
little  like  that  of  Lincoln,  for  when  not  busy  at  his  work  in  the  mill,  he  was 
studying  and  laying  the  foundation  of  a  self  gained  education. 

Mr.  Turner's  first  visit  to  Freeport  was  in  search  of  food.  Provisions  were 
scarce  and  he  and  his  associates  for  days  had  nothing  more  to  eat  than  boiled 
corn.  This  became  too  monotonous  a  diet  and  Turner  set  out  for  Galena  for 
supplies.  He  traveled  along  the  Pecatonica  till  he  came  to  Baker's  cabin  at 
Freeport.  He  attracted  attention  by  the  usual  frontier  shouts  and  soon  a  boy 
appeared  and  ferried  him  across  the  river  in  a  canoe.  Mr.  .Baker  had  gone  on 
a  trip  to  Peoria  for  supplies.  Mrs.  Baker  and  the  family  greeted  him  in  true 
western  manner  and  offered  him  the  hospitality  of  the  home.  Having  gone 
without  his  regulation  diet  of  boiled  corn,  Turner  was  hungry  and  asked  for 
food.  But  the  larder  was  almost  empty  at  the  Baker  home.  Mrs.  Baker  freely 
offered  him  what  was  left — two  small  corn  dodgers,  and  what  was  left  of  a 
catfish.  Turner  declined,  hungry  as  he  was,  to  finish  the  last  of  the  family's  pro- 
visions and  only  on  the  assurance  and  insistence  of  Mrs.  Baker  that  her  hus- 
band would  return  during  the  night  with  provisions  from  Peoria,  did  he  sat- 
isfy the  gnawing  of  a  long  empty  stomach.  The  barking  of  dogs  during  the 
night  signalled  the  return  of  Baker  and  Turner  slept  well  with  the  prospect  of 
a  good  breakfast  in  sight.  Next  morning,  after  a  hearty  meal,  he  went  on  his 
way  to  Galena,  impressed  by  the  generous  hospitality  of  Freeport.  He  worked 
a  while  at  Galena  and  returned  to  the  mill  with  supplies. 

In  .1841  Turner  went  to  Freeport  and  his  life  was  bound  up  in  the  history 
of  that  city  till  his  death.  Such  was  the  early  life  of  a  man  who  built  the  first 
county  courthouse,  was  justice  of  the  peace,  lawyer,  states  attorney,  member  of 
the  State  Legislature  and  a  Constitutional  Convention,  a  member  of  Congress, 
and  a  colonel  in  the  United  States  army  in  the  Civil  War.  If  conditions  were 
hard,  they  had,  at  least,  fashioned  a  great  character. 

The  county  was  making  headway  in  1836.  Farms  were  opened  up.  These 
were  small  clearings  around  the  cabins  and  that  accounts  for  the  small  crops  and 
the  scanty  supply  of  provisions.  Blacksmith  shops,  rude  affairs  indeed,  were  set 
up.  The  people  had  come  to  stay.  There  were  no  roads,  no  bridges,  few  fer- 
ries, and  it  was  a  long  journey  to  Peoria  or  Galena  for  supplies.  Thomas  Lott 
had  begun  the  work  of  setting  up  a  sawmill  at  Winslow,  and  William  Kirk- 
patrick  had  begun  one  on  Yellow  Creek,  while  Turner  had  set  one  up  in  Rock 
Rin.  There  were  no  grist  mills  north  of  the  Illinois  River  and  Kirkpatrick  set 
up  a  corn-cracking  machine  at  his  mill  on  Yellow  Creek.  It  was  a  crude  mill, 
doing  coarse  work  cracking  corn  and  wheat,  but  it  had  to  serve  the  purpose  for 
a  time. 

A  number  of  men  settlers  arrived  in  1837.  Dr.  Van  Valsah,  the  forerunner 
of  a  vast  concourse  of  Pennsylvania  Dutch,  came  into  the  county  and  settled  on 
a  claim  near  Cedarville,  purchased  from  John  Goddard.  Other  arrivals  were  Nel- 
son Martin,  Joseph  Musser,  Isaac  Develey,  Thomas  and  Samuel  Chambers,  Wil- 
liam Wallace,  a  Mr.  Moore,  Joseph  Osborn,  Daniel  Guyer,  Pat  Giblin,  Miles 
O'Brien,  a  Mr.  Corcoran,  Hiram  Hill,  John  Howe,  I.  Forbes,  John  Milburn,  a 
Mr.  Reed,  Stewart  Reynolds,  Sanford  Miles,  John  Tharp,  Jackson  Richart, 
Saferns  Snyder,  Joseph  Green,  Charles  MaComber,  Rev.  Philo  Judson,  Cornelius 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  75 

Judson,  S.  F.  M.  Fretville,  Alfred  Gaylord,  Rev.  Asa  Ballinger,  Phillip  and  War- 
ner Wells,  Henry  Johnson,  Oliver  and  John  R.  Brewster,  Isaac  Kleckner,  Ezra 
Gillett,  Joab  Martin,  James  Turnbull,  Father  Ballinger,  H.  C.  Haight,  Jacob 
Gable,  Valorus  Thomas,  George  W.  Babbitt,  John  Edwards,  Levi  Lewis,  John 
Lewis,  Rezin  and  Levi  Wilcoxen,  Caleb  Thompkins,  the  Farwell  Brothers,  the 
Brace  family,  Garrett  Lloyd,  Harvey  and  Jeremiah  Webster,  Sybil  Ann  Price, 
Samuel  F.  Dodds,  Robert  T.  Perry,  Robert  and  Wm.  LaShell,  James  and  Oliver 
Thompson,  Jacob  Burbridge,  Samuel  and  Marshall  Bailey,  Martin  Howard, 
John  Harmon,  a  Mr.  Graham,  Alonzo  Fowler,  Major  John  Howe  and  others. 

Irish  Grove  in  Rock  Run  and  "Dublin"  in  Erin  townships  were  settled  in  1837. 
Both  were  progressive  settlements  and  were  among  the  first  in  the  county  to  es- 
tablish churches. 

In  1837,  Nelson  Martin  opened  a  school  in  Freeport.  William  Waddams, 
Thomas  Grain,  James  Timms  and  others  had  hired  private  teachers,  a  school 
was  begun  in  Ransomberg  in  1836  and  thus  by  1837,  education  was  making  a 
beginning  in  the  county. 

In  1837,  many  new  arrivals  of  unusual  worth  strengthened  the  county's  settle- 
ments. Among  these  were  Isaac  Stoneman,  Daniel  Eobrust,  Richard  Earl,  John 
A.  McDowell,  Major  John  Howe,  Michael  Red,  Luther  and  Charles  Hall,  Richard 
Howe,  Chancellor  Martin,  Richard  Hunt,  a  Mr.  Davis,  Abraham  Johnson,  Wil- 
liam Stewart  and  L.  W.  Guiteau  settled  in  Freeport. 

Mr.  Guiteau  was  a  native  of  New  York.  He  came  west  and  was  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  at  Ann  Arbor.  In  October,  1838,  he  came  to  Freeport  and  en- 
tered the  mercantile  business  on  the  banks  of  the  Pecatonica  where  the  Illinois 
Central  depot  now  stands.  In  1840,  he  was  made  postmaster  by  President  Har- 
rison. This  office  he  held  several  years.  Later  he  held  positions  as  clerk  of  the 
circuit  court,  cashier  and  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Second  National  Bank,  com- 
missioner of  schools,  and  police  magistrate. 

June  6,  1837,  the  county  commissioners  granted  Hiram  Eads  a  license  to  keep 
a  tavern,  charging  him  a  fee  of  $12.00. 

June  5,  1837,  the  county  commissioners  established  the  following  tolls  for 
ferrying  across  the  Pecatonica : 

Four  horse  wagon  and  horses $  .75 

Two  horse  wagon  and  horses 50 

One  horse  wagon  and  horse 25 

Three  or  more  yoke  of  cattle i.oo 

Wagon  with  one  yoke  of  cattle  or  more 75 

Footman    o6j4 

Man  and  horse \2l/2 

Head   of   cattle o6l/2 

Hog  or    sheep 02 

September  5,  1837,  the  county  commissioners  voted  to  ask  for  bids  on  county 
jail  and  county  court  house. 

The  contract  between  the  commissioners  and  Thomas  J.  Turner  for  the  county 
jail  reads  as  follows:  "Said  jail  shall  be  20  ft.  x  24  ft.  squair,  and  stand  on  a 
stone  wall,  three  feet  thick  and  three  feet  high,  and  laid  in  lime  mortar.  To  be 
hewn  oak  logs,  fourteen  inches  squair  and  the  lower  floor  to  be  laid  with  sleepers 


76  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

hewn  on  three  sides,  six  inches  thick,  closely  laid  and  covered  with  a  floor  of  three 
inches  Plank  Spiked  down  with  large  Iron  Spikes.  The  upper  floor  is  to  be  of  sub- 
stantial joist  and  a  suitable  distance  apart  and  covered  with  inch  and  one-half 
plank,  doubled  across  each  other,  well  spiked  down.  The  second  story  to  be  nine 
feet  high,  to  be  covered  with  good  substantial  roof  with  shingles  eighteen  inches 
long,  laid  five  inches  to  the  weather.  Width  rafters  to  be  of  oak,  not  more  than 
two  feet  apart.  The  gable  end  to  be  studded  with  four  inch  studding  and 
weather-boarded  with  black  walnut  siding,  an  outside  Stairway  to  be  of  white 
oak  and  a  door  in  the  senter  of  the  gable,  said  door  to  be  of  good  oak  plank 
doubled  and  well  spiked  with  Iron  Spikes  and  a  good  strong  lock  attached  to  the 
same.  There  are  to  be  two  window^,  14  inches  squair,  Barred  with  inch  squair. 
There  is  to  be  a  trap-door  in  the  upper  floor,  three  foot  squair,  hung  with  good 
substantial  Iron  Hinges  and  an  Iron  Bar  reaching  across  with  Strong  Strap  and 
Lock  attached.  The  logs  are  to  be  doweled  together  and  the  work  to  be  done  in 
a  neat  and  workman-like  manner."  For  building  the  jail  Mr.  Turner  was  to  re- 
ceive $1,000  in  good  and  lawful  money,  the  jail  to  be  completed  in  18  months. 

The  organization  of  Stephenson  County  and  the  election  of  county  officers  in 
$120.00.  On  this  lot  the  jail  was  built. 

Page  104  of  the  County  Records  of  Stephenson  County  shows  a  contract  to 
build  the  jail  according  to  specifications,  signed  by  Charles  Truax  and  H.  VV.  Hol- 
lenbeck.  Why  Mr.  Turner  gave  up  the  contract,  has  not  been  discovered.  The 
records  show  receipts  by  Truax  &  Hollenbeck  for  building  the  jail.  William 
Baker  went  on  their  bond  December  22,.  1838. 

STEPHENSON  COUNTY— 1837-1850. 

The  commissioners  bought  the  lot  where  the  first  ward  school  stands  for 
1837  began  a  new  period  of  county  history.  The  county  commissioners,  Lemuel 
W.  Streator,  Isaac  Forbes  and  Julius  Smith,  on  December  5,  1837,  contracted  with 
Thomas  J.  Turner  for  the  erection  of  a  frame  courthouse  and  a  log  jail ;  the  lum- 
ber and  logs  were  prepared  during  the  winter.  The  courthouse  was  completed 
in  1840  and  served  its  purpose  till  1870  when  it  was  torn  down  and  the  present 
building  erected.  Twice  the  old  courthouse  was  struck  by  lightning.  The  build- 
ing of  the  courthouse  was  delayed  because  of  the  hard  times  and  because  county 
orders  were  bringing  only  thirty  cents  on  the  dollar. 

At  the  election  held  in  1838,  Mr.  L.  O.  Crocker  who  opened  the  first  store 
in  Freeport,  was  elected  assessor  and  Hubbard  Graves,  tax  collector.  Both  men 
were  well  fitted  for  their  work.  All  kinds  of  personal  property  were  listed  for  tax- 
ation. Assessments  were  made  as  high  as  the  law  permitted.  A  cheap  watch 
cost  its  owner  6%c  and  three  of  the  wealthier  men  in  the  county  paid  $2.00  tax 
each  on  their  watches.  The  rate  was  45c  on  the  $100.00  and  Collector  Graves  col- 
lected $96  and  some  cents  which  would  give  the  assessed  valuation  in  1838  as 
$21,333. 

Election  day  in  1838  was  a  kind  of  holiday  in  the  precincts  over  the  county. 
In  Ridott  the  election  was  held  at  Daniel  Wooten's  home.  John  Hoag  and  Wil- 
liam Everts  were  judges  and  Horatio  Hunt  and  H.  P.  Waters  were  clerks.  The 
other  voters  were  seven  in  number:  D.  W.  C.  Mallory,  Philo  Hammond,  Giles 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  77 

Pierce,  Zebulon  Dimmick,  William  Barlow,  Pat  Fronne  and  S.  Forbes.  Wooten 
had  a  barrel  of  whiskey  at  the  house  and  that  added  to  the  joy  of  the  occasion. 
Most  of  the  men  had  a  capacity  for  liquor  that  would  admit  frequent  attacks  on 
the  barrel  without  losing  their  equilibrium.  One  of  the  men,  however,  had  in- 
dulged beyond  reason  and  was  scarcely  able  to  navigate.  He  crossed  the  river 
safely  but  had  trouble  getting  up  the  hillside  that  was  made  slippery  by  the  uown- 
pour  of  rain,  the  usual  election  day  rain.  Bravely  the  elector  charged  up  the  steep 
and  slippery  slope,  but  down  he  tumbled  again  to  the  foot  of  the  hill.  His  friends 
laughed  as  he  assaulted  the  hill  time  and  again,  only  to  roll  in  the  mud  back  to 
the  starting  point.  Finally  his  neighbors  went  to  his  rescue,  aided  him  up  the  hill 
and  to  his  home. 

In  the  year  1838  Freeport  gave  its  first  Fourth  of  July  celebration.  Eads  had 
completed  his  hotel  and  invited  the  country  around  to  take  dinner  with  him.  Rev. 
F.  C.  Winslow,  O.  H.  Wright,  Benjamin  Goddard,  Isaac  Stoneman,  Allen  Wiley, 
William  Baker  and  the  Truax  boys  constituted  a  kind  of  committee  on  arrange- 
ments. Rev.  Winslow  trained  a  singing  class  and  they  sang  Revolutionary  ballads 
and  a  national  ode.  The  class  consisted  of  Miss  Cornelia  Russel  (Hazlett),  Eliza 
Hunt,  Marion  Snow,  Mrs.  Amelia  Webb  (Jewell)  and  others.  The  audience  was 
delighted  with  the  singing.  The  exercises  were  held  in  Benjamin  Goddard's  barn, 
where  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  read  and  O.  H.  Wright  delivered  the 
address  of  the  day.  After  the  dinner,  the  exercises  closed  with  dancing.  For 
years,  this  sane  Fourth  was  one  of  the  bright  spots  in  the  county's  early  history. 

In  1837  Demison  and  Van  Zart  who  had  settled  at  McConnell  and  built  a  mill 
in  1836,  laid  out  a  town  there.  In  1838  Robert  McConnell  drove  a  number  of 
cattle  into  the  county,  bought  the  prospective  town  and  named  the  place  McConnell 
Grove.  The  place  has  also  been  called  "Bobtown"  and  "New  Pennsylvania." 

H.  G.  Eads,  in  1838,  built  a  tavern  at  what  is  now  the  corner  of  Stephenson 
and  Liberty  streets.  The  contractor  was  Julius  Smith  and  the  new  tavern  was 
called  the  "City  Hotel."  In  the  fall  Mr.  Benjamin  Goddard  built  the  "Mansion 
House"  which  was  used  as  a  hotel.  It  had  nine  rooms  but  was  one  of  the  won- 
ders of  the  county  at  that  day.  The  house  was  used  for  years  as  a  pop  factory 
by  Galloway  and  Shocks  and  stood  diagonally  on  what  is  now  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
tennis  court  lot,  on  Walnut  Street.  The  same  year  John  Montgomery  and  A. 
Wiley  built  a  house  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  L.  L.  Munn  building. 
This  building  was  later  used  as  a  hotel.  In  1838,  the  ferry  which  had  been  estab- 
lished by  Baker  was  moved  to  the  foot  of  Stephenson  Street  and  was  conducted 
by  H.  G.  Eads  and  others  till  a  bridge  was  built.  The  first  location  of  the  ferry 
was  near  Goddard's  Mill.  A  new  store  was  opened  by  Elijah  Barrett.  Richard 
Hunt  erected  a  frame  building  on  Van  Buren  Street  and  also  one  on  the  corner 
of  Van  Buren  and  Spring  Streets,  and  Michael  Red  built  a  house.  Many  farms 
were  opened  in  the  county  and  production  largely  increased. 

In  1838  a  stage  line  was  opened  between  Freeport  and  Chicago  by  J.  B.  Win- 
ters. At  Freeport  connection  was  made  with  Frink  and  Walker's  line  to  Galena. 
The  next  year  Winters  went  out  of  business  and  Frink  and  Walker  ran  the  line 
through  from  Chicago  to  Galena.  The  clumsy  stage  came  into  Freeport  three 
times  a  week.  To  make  the  trip  from  Chicago  to  Freeport  required  two  days 
and  a  half  and  the  fare  was  $5.00.  Mrs.  Oscar  Taylor,  who  came  from  Chicago 


78  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

in  the  stage  in  1839  says,  "The  stage  was  a  commodious  affair,  and  left  Chicago  at 
two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  There  were  ten  passengers.  At  daybreak  we  reached 
a  country  tavern  where  we  breakfasted  on  Rio  coffee,  fried  fat  pork,  potatoes  and 
hot  saleratus  biscuits.  We  crossed  the  ferry  at  Rockford  at  midnight.  We  had 
to  get  out  and  climb  the  sand  bank  after  crossing  the  river."  The  stage  driver  of 
that  day  was  in  a  class  by  himself.  He  was  engineer,  just  as  much  so  as  the  man 
who  holds  the  throttle  over  the  Omaha  Limited.  He  was  an  expert  in  handling 
the  reins,  the  whip  and  several  varieties  of  profanity.  The  stage,  slow  as  it  was, 
was  yet  an  important  factor  in  building  up  Stephenson  County.  It  brought  new 
settlers,  supplied  a  kind  of  express  and  carried  the  mail.  It  served  its  purpose 
till  the  railroad  took  its  place. 

AN  EARLY  SUICIDE. 

The  suicide  of  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  1838  caused  considerable  excitement 
in  the  county.  The  unfortunate  person  was  a  member  of  the  Lott  family  in  what 
is  now  Oneco  Township.  The  man  in  question  inherited  a  form  of  insanity  and 
was  subject  to  constantly  recurring  moods.  He  was  watched  closely  by  the  family 
but  in  1838  he  evaded  them.  When  his  absence  was  noted,  the  neighbors  and  rela- 
tives got  up  a  searching  party  and  set  out  to  find  the  missing  man,  fearful  of  the 
result.  After  considerable  searching,  he  was  found  hanging  to  a  tree  and  when 
cut  down  by  Alonzo  Denio,  he  was  almost  dead.  All  efforts  made  to  revive  his  life 
ended  in  failure.  He  hanged  himself  about  1^2  miles  from  the  village  of  Oneco, 
and  the  spot  has  had  about  it  much  mystery  and  superstition. 

What  is  known  as  the  first  wedding  ceremony  performed  by  a  preacher  oc- 
curred in  1838.  The  contracting  parties  were  Thomas  Chambers  and  Rebecca 
Moore  of  Rock  Grove  township.  The  marriage  was  solemnized  at  the  home  of 
the  bride's  father,  John  Moore,  the  Rev.  James  McKean,  officiating.  The  cabin 
was  the  usual  one  room  log  house,  20  feet  square,  but  it  is  said  that  forty  guests 
witnessed  the  ceremony.  People  had  come  18  miles  to  attend  the  wedding. 

In  1838  larger  crops  were  cultivated.  Larger  fields  had  been  cleared  about 
the  cabins  and  increased  production  was  the  result.  The  struggle  for  a  living  was 
yet  a  little  too  tense  for  people  to  indulge  to  any  great  extent  in  politics.  The 
murder  of  Lovejoy  at  Alton  stirred  the  settlements,  but  otherwise  the  people  were 
inclined  to  be  interested  more  in  local  than  national  affairs. 

Many  new  settlers  came  in  1838.  Many  came  from  Pennsylvania  following 
close  in  the  footsteps  of  Dr.  Van  Valzah  who  had  located  at  Cedarville.  Among 
the  newcomers  in  1838  were:  John  Walsh,  Robert  Sisson,  H.  G.  Davis,  John  and 
Thomas  Warren,  Isaac  Scott,  Samuel  Liebshitz,  Christian  Strocky  and  two  sons, 
Chauncey  Stebbins,  F.  Rosenstiel,  P.  L.  Wright,  William  Preston,  Louis  Preston, 
Mathew  Bredendall,  Lewis  Gitchell,  David  Gitchell,  Philo  Hammond,  Ezekial  and 
Jacob  Forsythe,  John  Floyd,  Putnam  Perley,  Ezekial  Brown,  John  Brazee,  Chris- 
tian Clay,  J.  D.  Fowler,  James  McGhu,  Adrian  Lucas,  Newcomb  Kinney,  Charles 
A.  Gore,  Hiram  Gaylord,  Cornelius  and  Johnathan  Cavan,  Alex  Allen,  John 
Bradford,  Thomas  Loring,  Columbus  and  Ichabod  Thompson  and  Elias  and  Ed- 
ward Hunt.  About  this  time,  Thomas  Carter,  Isaac  Rand,  Samuel  Bogenrief,  L. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  79 

L.  Pitcher,  a  man  named  Lathrop  and  others  settled  in  Kent.  This  year  the  first 
house  was  built  in  Rock  Grove  village.  Irish  Grove  in  Rock  Run  and  "Dublin" 
in  Erin  townships  were  settled  in  1837  an<i  received  several  additions  in  1838. 

By  the  close  of  1838,  the  settlements  in  the  county  had  been  extended  and 
there  was  general  feeling  that  the  country  had  a  good  future  ahead.  The  value 
of  claims  advanced  with  the  increase  of  settlers  and  with  the  building  of  mills, 
the  stage  line  and  the  presence  of  stores.  The  store  of  O.  H.  Wright  in  Freeport 
was  at  this  time  the  largest  and  busiest  in  the  county. 

In  the  year  1839  the  county  made  about  the  same  progress  as  in  1838.  This 
year  a  building  was  put  up  on  Lyman  Montague's  farm  in  West  Point  township, 
to  be  used  exclusively  for  school  purposes.  The  courthouse  though  not  entirely 
completed  was  in  service.  The  log  jail  yet  unfinished  was  doing  duty,  with  citizens 
on  guard  to  keep  the  lawbreakers  within. 

In  the  spring  of  1839  a  Norwegian  colony  came  across  the  Atlantic  and  made 
its  way  into  this  county,  settling  in  Rock  Run  township.  The  location  had  been 
selected  by  an  advance  agent  of  the  colony,  who  had  looked  over  a  considerable 
part  of  the  country  only  to  decide  on  Stephenson  County  as  best  of  all.  Many  of 
the  Norwegians  were  farmers  and  at  once  set  to  work  opening  up  farms.  Some 
were  tradesmen  and  began  to  work  at  their  trades.  They  were  frugal  and  in- 
dustrious and  they  and  their  countrymen  who  have  followed  have  added  to  the 
high  character  of  the  people  of  Stephenson  County. 

A  man  who  was  to  influence  very  largely  the  history  of  Stephenson  County 
character.  He  was  educated  in  part,  at  the  Academy  at  Fredonia,  New  York, 
arrived  in  Freeport  in  1839.  He  was  a  native  of  New  York  state  and  while  his 
parents  were  poor,  they  gave  him  a  training  in  childhood  that  made  his  a  strong 
where  he  made  his  own  way  through  school  by  hard  work.  The  desire  to  be  a 
merchant  was  strong  in  him.  He  was  forced  to  begin  in  a  small  way,  and  started 
west  on  a  peddling  trip  in  1838,  arriving  in  Freeport  in  1839.  Here  he  opened 
up  a  general  store  and  was  successful.  In  1842  he  bought  goods  in  New  York  and 
established  his  credit  in  New  York  and  Chicago.  In  1843  ne  bought  the  land 
which  is  now  known  as  Knowlton's  Addition.  He  was  twelve  years  a  director  in 
the  Chicago,  Galena  and  Union  Railroad. 

Before  1840  the  settlers  did  not  understand  the  wealth  that  lay  in  the  prairies. 
The  settlements  had  been  made  along  the  streams  in  the  groves.  This  was  for 
the  double  purpose  of  being  near  the  water  and  near  the  timber,  to  make  build- 
ing convenient.  A  drive  in  any  direction  over  Stephenson  County  today  will  show 
the  beautiful  pictures  of  prosperous  homes  in  the  groves  that  follow  the  winding 
streams.  The  prairies  were  then  unfenced  and  stock  roamed  at  will,  feeding  on 
the  wild  grasses  of  the  lowlands.  Breaking  the  tough  prairie  sod  was  a  hard 
proposition.  It  was  usually  done  with  a  wheel  in  front  and  lever  to  gauge  the 
depth.  Five  or  six  yoke  of  oxen  were  necessary  to  pull  the  plow.  It  cut  a  fur- 
row 20  inches  wide  and  from  3  to  5  inches  deep.  The  blade  of  the  plowshare  had 
to  be  kept  sharp  by  grinding  and  filing  at  the  end  of  almost  every  row.  When  a 
farm  was  once  broken  this  way  its  value  was  greatly  increased. 

In  1840  Freeport  contained  about  forty  houses.  The  growth  of  the  town  was 
slow,  because  largely  of  lack  of  a  convenient  market.  There  were  two  or  three 
hotels,  three  stores :  O.  H.  Wright,  L.  W.  Guiteau's,  corner  of  Liberty  and  South 


80  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

"  Galena  Avenue ;  and  D.  A.  Knowlton's  at  the  corner  of  Galena  and  Van  Buren 
Streets.  There  were  no  banks.  Farmers  left  their  money  with  merchants  who 
deposited  it  in  cities  having  safe  deposits. 

Liquor  was  sold  at  saloons  conducted  by  James  Rock,  James  Montgomery  and 
Abraham  Johnson.  It  could  also  be  bought  at  all  the  hotels  except  at  Goddard's 
Mansion  House.  Whiskey  was  sixpence  a  drink  and  there  was  little  or  no  re- 
straint placed  on  its  sale  and  use.  Law  enforcement  was  not  rigid  and  on  the 
whole  Freeport  was  not  very  different  from  the  average  western  town  of  that 
period. 

Gambling  was  quite  as  general  as  drinking.  Faro  was  dealt  openly  and  was  not 
interfered  with.  James  Rock  operated  the  game  keno  at  his  place  and  day  and 
night  had  a  good  attendance  at  his  bar  and  around  his  gaming  tables.  His  place 
was  a  little  room  in  the  building  then  standing  at  the  corner  of  Galena  and  Van 
Buren  Streets,  where  Moogk's  drug  store  now  stands.  Drinking,  it  is  claimed, 
was  almost  universal  among  the  citizens,  and  gambling  went  on  openly  with  little 
protest.  Debauches  and  disorder  were  not  infrequent.  The  rougher  element  was 
augmented  by  many  transients,  who  were  going  to  or  from  the  lead  mine  regions. 
These  men  aided  in  giving  the  town  a  reputation  for  drinking,  gambling  and  disor- 
der which  it  was  slow  to  shake  off. 

Yet  there  were  a  few  temperance  people  in  the  county.  In  1840,  owing  to  the 
increasing  gambling,  drinking  and  disorder,  Rev.  F.  C.  Winslow  and  John  A. 
Clark  saw  the  necessity  of  arousing  a  counteracting  influence  and  commenced 
meetings  in  the  same  building  where  Rock's  saloon  was  located.  This  was,  no 
doubt,  the  first  attempt  at  a  "revival"  in  the  county  and  in  the  midst  of  conditions 
far  from  the  best  the  faithful  few  did  an  excellent  work.  "Father"  McKean 
and  Rev.  Winslow  and  others  held  meetings  in  the  courthouse,  schoolhouse  and  in 
private  rooms.  /Their  congregations  were  small  but  they  were  sincere  and  faith- 
ful and  laid  the  foundation  for  the  religious  and  civic  work  in  Freeportf]  Speak- 
ing of  these  early  services,  Mrs.  Oscar  Taylor  says :  "Every  Sunday  the  farmers . 
and  the  town  people  assembled  in  the  building  which  did  duty  as  carpetner  shop 
six  days  in  a  week,  and  served  as  a  church  on  the  seventh.  Our  religious  services 
were  hearty  in  spirit,  though  crude  in  form.  Rev.  Mr.  Morrell  came  from  Rock- 
ford  to  conduct  services  once  in  two  weeks ;  alternate  Sundays  Mr.  O.  H.  Wright 
•-©F  Mr.  Guiteau  read  a  sermon.  Mr.  John  Rice  offered  prayers;  Mr. -Clark  was 
nominally  leader  of  the  congregational  singing,  but  actually  each  one  sang  in  the 
key  best  adapted  to  his  or  her  voice ;  the  effect  was  volume  of  sound  rather  than 
harmony.  But  this  lack  of  musical  unity  resulted  in  the  organization  of  a  singing 
school,  for  which  Mr.  Frederick  Winslow  volunteered  his  services  as  leader.  The 
singing  school  was  a  success.  We  were  trained  until  we  could  give  with  great 
effect,  Rochester,  Dundee,  St.  Thomas  and  Dover,  with  'Now  be  the  Gospel  Ban- 
ner in  Every  Land  Unfurled'  and  'Come  Ye  Disconsolate,'  for  special  occasions." 

The  best  description  of  Freeport  in  1839  and  '40  is  that  given  by  Mrs.  Oscar 
Taylor  in  a  paper  before  the  Freeport  Woman's  Club,  and  published  in  the  Free- 
port  Journal,  August  28,  1909: 

When  Sunday  came  the  big  farm  wagon  was  brought  to  the  door  and  we 
started  for  the  service  in  the  village.  Farm  wagons  were  the  only  conveyances  in 
use  ;  and  those  who  drove  horses  instead  of  oxen  were  considered  fortunate.  How 


Old  Lena  Hotel 


American  House 


Pennsylvania  House 


Tremont  House 


HOTELS  THAT   WERE  HEHE  IX  1871 


UBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  81 

well  I  remember  that  first  drive  to  Freeport,  fording  Yellow  Creek  near  where 
the  Breweries  now  stand,  crossing  a  track  of  low  land  called  Rattle  Snake  Bot- 
tom, from  which  I  expected  to  hear  snakes  rattling  their  warning  of  poison. 
From  the  lowlands  we  drove  on,  gradually  ascending  a  hill  and  coming  down  the 
slope  on  Adams  Street,  following  the  state  road  on  a  diagonal  cut  to  Galena  Street, 
where  church  was  to  be  held. 

"I  looked  in  vain  for  the  expected  town.  An  unfinished  Courthouse,  no  sign 
of  a  school  house — no  regular  street — a  few  houses  apparently  dropped  hap-hazard 
with  paths  or  roads  taking  the  shortest  cut  from  place  to  place.  Instead  of  a 
church  spire  to  indicate  the  place  of  worship,  a  carpenter  shop,  where  Moogk's 
drug  store  now  stands,  threw  wide  its  hospitable  doors ;  and  the  pews  consisted 
of  boards  supported  by  kegs.  There  was  no  sign  of  either  minister  or  congrega- 
tion, and  a  small  boy  announced :  "Everybody  has  gone  to  a  funeral  and  there 
isn't  to  be  any  church  today." 

That  small  boy  is  now  Mr.  Wilson  Guiteau,  of  New  York  City,  half  brother 
to  the  honored  president  of  our  Woman's  Club. 

And  this  was  Freeport!  With  a  sudden  sinking  of  the  heart  I  realized  the 
limitations  of  the  new  civilization  and  felt  myself  worlds  apart  from  my  school 
life  in  Troy  and  my  social  life  in  Rochester. 

Without  even  being  cheered  by  the  sight  of  "Barr's  Tavern,"  past  which 
my  brother  drove  to  console  me,  I  turned  my  back  on  Freeport,  glad  to  take 
refuge  in  the  farm  which  had,  at  least,  no  associates  with  society,  and  under  the 
peaceful  influence  of  the  calm  wide  prairie  the  forlorn  little  town  was  forgotten. 

Freeport  had  apparently  failed  me,  but  it  happened  that  one  of  my  girl 
friends  from  the  east  was  living  within  walking  distance  from  my  father's  farm. 
Indeed  it  was  the  enthusiastic  letters  of  this  friend,  Cornelia  Russell,  which  had 
influenced  my  father  in  the  location  of  his  farm.  The  day  after  my  drive  to 
Freeport,  I  started  in  search  of  my  old  friend.  Following  the  foothpath  across 
a  wide  pasture  I  came  to  the  Pecatonica  River,  and  across  the  water  I  discovered 
the  log  house  among  the  trees.  Standing  upon  the  bank  I  called  "Over !  Over ! 
Over!"  Presently  from  beneath  the  branches  of  a  willow  a  boat  shot  out;  in  it 
was  my  old  friend  Cornelia,  using  the  oars  as  skillfully  as  did  Ellen  in  the  Lady 
of  the  Lake.  The  delight  of  our  meeting  was  mutual.  It  was  with  many  mis- 
givings that  I  mustered  courage  to  venture  into  her  little  boat,  but  Cornelia  in- 
sisted that  an  upset  was  impossible  as  the  thing  was  dug  out  of  the  round  trunk 
of  a  big  tree.  Once  seated  in  this  primitive  craft  I  thought  it  great  fun,  and  we 
spent  the  morning  rowing  and  floating  up  and  down  the  muddy,  crooked  little 
stream  with  its  odd  Indian  name.  Cornelia  seemed  to  have  lived  on  the  water  all 
summer  long,  her  face  was  nut  brown  from  exposure  to  sun  and  wind,  her  hair 
hung  in  curls  down  her  back,  her  eyes  were  sparkling  with  life,  health  and  joy. 
She  was  wholly  in  touch  with  nature.  "You  are  a  wood  nymph,"  I  announced, 
after  calm  scrutiny.  "No,  I  am  a  fisher  maiden,"  she  replied,  "for  every  after- 
noon I  go  up  and  down  the  stream  setting  my  fish  nets,  and  every  morning  I 
look  for  my  catch."  But  all  the  same  she  had  formed  many  a  woodland  intimacy 
among  the  wild  animals.  Half-tamed  prairie  wolves  came  to  her  door  and  a  wild 
fawn  always  answered  her  call. 


82  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

We  took  a  picnic  lunch  on  shore,  cooking  fish  out  of  Cornelia's  net  and  roast- 
ing potatoes  in  the  ashes.  All  the  afternoon  we  lingered  out  of  doors.  The  sense 
of  primeval  nature  was  indescribable,  the  silence  so  profound,  it  was  as  if  we  were 
under  some  spell  of  enchantment.  "Is  it  always  so?  And  do  you  never  tire  of 
it?"  I  asked  Cornelia.  "I  never  tire  of  it  because  nature  is  never  twice  the  same 
but  always  lovely,"  she  answered. 

When  I  took  the  little  footpath  homeward  through  the  pasture  I  felt  that  this 
had  been  a  red  letter  day,  indeed,  and  looking  back  through  nearly  sixty  years 
it  is  still  to  me  a  red  letter  day. 

The  compartment  store  of  today  is  the  direct  descendant  of  the  general  country 
store  of  early  days,  for  Mr.  Guiteau's  stock  contained  a  little  of  everything  and 
the  post  office  in  addition.  The  post-master's  duties  were  not  arduous  in  a  town 
of  fifty  inhabitants,  with  mails  but  three  times  a  week.  It  was  as  the  guest  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Guiteau  that  I  greatly  changed  my  opinion  of  the  resources  of 
Freeport.  I  made  the  acquaintance  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  A.  Knowlton,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Orestes  H.  Wright — indeed,  I  think  I  met  everyone  in  town. 

1840— AMUSEMENTS. 

The  people  in  1840  were  not  without  their  amusements.  While  different 
from  the  amusements  of  today,  they  were  adapted  and  a  part  of  the  life 
of  the  tissue.  Skating  and  sleighing  were  common  forms  of  invigorating  ex- 
ercise. Besides,  there  were  quiltings,  husking-bees,  raisings  and  dances.  Danc- 
ing was  more  general  than  it  is  today.  The  music  was  furnished  by  such  old- 
time  "fiddlers"  as  Daniel  Wooten  and  "Professor"  Clark.  A  man  who  under- 
stood his  business  "called"  to  dance.  After  the  day's  work  was  done,  young 
people,  and  often  times  their  elders,  drove  for  miles  over  the  snow  to  dance 
away  till  the  morning  hours.  "There  was  sound  of  revelry  by  night'  in  the  old 
log  cabin  home.  It  was  not  all  privation  and  hard  work  in  those  days.  The 
pioneers  earned  the  joy  they  had,  and  no  people  were  ever  more  entitled  to  the 
relaxation  of  innocent  pleasures. 

Mrs.  Oscar  Taylor's  dscription  of  early  social  life  of  Freeport  is  a  graphic 
account  by  one  who  was  without  a  superior  in  the  social  life  of  the  county  for 
over  fifty  years: 

The  social  center  of  the  little  colony  was  the  really  charming  cottage  built 
by  Mr.  John  A.  Clark.  Here  were  to  be  found  a  piano  and  a  library,  with  many 
of  the  refinements  of  an  eastern  home,  and  one  would  need  to  go  far  today  to 
find  three  more  elegant  and  interesting  women  than  Mrs.  Clark  and  her  sisters, 
Mrs.  Thompson  Campbell  and  Mrs.  Stephenson,  for  whose  husband  Stephenson 
County  was  named.  Brilliant  and  witty  women  of  the  world  were  all  three.  At 
the  close  of  my  visit  with  the  Guiteaus  I  spent  several  weeks  with  Mrs.  Clars, 
and  I  remember  one  incident  of  that  time  which  illustrates  the  crude  and  incon- 
gruous social  conditions.  A  man  known  as  Don  Wooton,  living  at  Ridott  had  the 
frame  up  and  the  floors  laid  for  a  house.  Wishing  to  give  a  ball  before  the  par- 
titions of  the  house  were  up,  invitations  were  sent  out  far  and  near.  Now  Mr. 
Clark  as  an  office-holder  must  keep  his  popularity,  and  therefore  insisted  that  the 
ladies  of  the  household  must  accept  the  invitation.  "And  mind  you,"  he  said, 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  83 

"no  matter  what  turns  up  to  amuse  you,  don't  let  the  suspicion  of  laugh  ap- 
pear." Major  Howe,  who  was  dignity  itself,  took  all  our  party  with  the  Guiteau 
family  in  his  bob-sled.  Preliminary  to  the  dance  we  were  invited  into  the  kitchen 
of  the  old  log  house  where  supper  was  given  us  with  utter  absence  of  formality, 
our  host  informing  us  by  way  of  apology,  that  his  wife  was  "powerful  weak" 
and  had  gone  to  rest — before  the  snow  had  melted  Mrs.  Wooton  had  gone  to 
her  final  rest.  After  supper  we  repaired  to  the  dancing  hall  and  ranged  our- 
selves on  a  bench  across  a  corner  of  the  room.  The  host  himself  furnished 
the  music,  twanging  away  upon  an  old  fiddle,  while  the  dance  went  on  with 
great  dash  and  spirit.  Such  gyrations,  such  double-shuffles,  such  pigeon-wings 
and  variations  in  step  as  we  witnessed  that  night  might  have  rivalled  a  planta- 
tion dance  in  old  Virginia.  During  a  lull  in  the  performance  a  young  man  with 
a  pitcher  and  one  tumbler  circulated  some  beverage  among  the  tired  dancers. 
He  approached  our  group  and  pouring  some  whiskey  into  the  tumbler  offered 
it  to  Mrs.  Stephenson.  Without  surmising  its  contents  she  had  taken  the  tumbler 
into  her  hands  then  she  looked  at  the  young  man  in  bewilderment  as  to  what  to 
do  next.  Suddenly  catching  the  amusement  in  Mrs.  Clark's  eyes,  she  burst  into 
a  contagious  ripple  of  laughter,  in  which,  in  spite  of  ourselves  we  all  joined. 

The  man  gave  an  angry  look  and  with  some  threatening  murmur  left  us. 
Fearing  some  unpleasantness  from  the  episode,  Mr.  Clark  speedily  withdrew 
with  his  party,  but  nothing  came  of  this  flurry  to  Mr.  Clark's  disadvantage  as 
he  was  re-elected  clerk  of  the  circuit  court. 

It  was  in  connection  with  the  circuit  court  the  following  April  that  the  first 
dinner  party  was  given  in  Freeport.  The  annual  session  of  the  court  was  looked 
forward  to  as  the  festal  week  of  the  year.  There  were  two  resident  lawyers  in 
Freeport  at  that  time.  It  was  the  custom  of  the  day  for  lawyers  in  the  various 
little  towns  to  travel  with  the  judge  on  his  circuit  and  great  preparations  were 
made  for  enertaining  the  strangers.  During  court  week  Mr.  Clark  had  at  his 
home  Mr.  Thompson  Campbell,  exrsecretary  of  the  state,  said  to  be  at  that  time, 
the  most  brilliant  man  in  the  west,  with  Thomas  Drummond  of  Chicago,  after- 
wards judge  of  the  United  States  Court,  while  several  other  prominent  men 
were  entertained  at  other  private  houses.  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  be  one  of 
the  guests  at  a  dinner  given  to  the  presiding  judge,  Hon.  Daniel  Stone,  of  Cin- 
cinnati, and  the  rest  of  the  legal  lights.  The  dinner  was  not  served  in  the  dozen 
courses  of  today.  An  enormous  wild  turkey  was  provided,  a  creature  so  large 
that  it  was  sent  for  roasting  to  a  neighbor  having  an  old  fashioned  brick  oven. 
The  turkey  made  a  fine  appearance  when  placed  before  Mr.  Clark  for  carving, 
but  upon  application  of  the  knife  its  power  of  resistance  became  evident.  Im- 
pervious and  flexible,  the  joints  baffled  every  effort  of  the  carver,  for  only  the 
surface  of  the  turkey  had  been  cooked.  "Cut  the  thing  into  steaks  and  let  it  be 
broiled  in  the  kitchen,"  suggested  Mr.  Campbell.  While  this  suggestion  was  fol- 
lowed the  interval  of  waiting  was  delightful.  Judge  Stone  was  at  his  best  with 
anecdotes  and  stories.  Mr.  Campbell  convulsed  the  company  with  brilliant  wit 
and  sparkling  sallies  while  Mr.  Drummond,  courteous  and  grave,  added  dignity 
to  the  assembly.  In  due  time  the  turkey  steaks  were  brought  in  and  proved  a 
delicious  variation  to  the  ordinary  fashion  of  serving  turkey.  The  rest  of  the 
dinner  gave  proof  of  the  ingenuity  and  skill  with  which  our  hostess  utilized 


84  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

the  extremely  narrow  resources  of  the  market.  As  a  social  entertainment  I 
doubt  if  a  more  successful  dinner  was  ever  given  in  Freeport.  In  freedom  from 
formality,  in  the  frank  recognitions  of  limitations,  in  the  utter  absence  of  the 
critical  spirit,  there  was  then  a  zest  and  charm  and  freshness  in  social  intercourse 
which  seems  to  vanish  with  the  development  of  conventionality.  No  one  was 
homesick  or  wished  to  return  to  the  old  life  of  the  East  or  to  the  trammels  of 
fashion.  Fashion  was  indeed  forgotten,  for  each  woman  was  her  own  milliner 
and  dressmaker. 

In  the  very  country  itself  one  felt  the  buoyancy  of  youth.  I  shall  never 
forget  my  own  amazement  at  the  careless  prodigality  with  which  nature  lavished 
her  flowers  that  springtime.  Not  only  were  the  prairies  aglow  with  colors, 
every  road  and  pathway  bordered  with  flowers,  but  the  little  town  itself  seemed 
like  summer  houses  in  the  midst  of  a  great  garden.  I  have  seen  the  banks  of  the 
creek  by  the  Adams  Street  brewery  purple  with  the  lovely  liatris,  no  longer  to 
be  found  in  this  region,  and  the  green  swards  aflame  with  the  painted  cup. 
Equally  generous  was  mother  nature  in  meeting  material  needs,  for  game  was  to 
be  had  for  the  seeking,  venison  in  abundance,  quail,  wild  turkey,  prairie  chicken, 
fish  in  the  streams  and  duck  in  the  marshes.  This  sense  of  abounding  life  and 
vigor  was  in  the  very  air  we  breathed,  our  energy  was  unfailing,  either  in  work 
or  in  pleasure;  and  no  one  considered  trouble  or  recognized  the  possibility  of 
failure. 

It  was  at  this  time  that  two  enterprising  young  men  opened  a  dancing  school  ; 
this  was  short-lived,  however,  as  those  in  the  town  inclined  to  dance  considered 
themselves  versed  in  the  art.  Mr.  Bailey,  the  teacher,  turned  his  energies  to 
the  manufacture  of  fanning-mills,  resuming  his  lighter  profession  of  an  evening 
when  dances  were  given  and  he  was  needed  to  call  the  changes  in  the  quad- 
rilles. For  years  the  music  of  all  the  dances  in  the  county  was  furnished  by 
Charlie  Pratt.  Charlie  Pratt  and  his  fiddle  were  inseparable,  and  supplied  music 
as  inspiring  to  young  feet  as  does  the  Gibler  orchestra  today.  Genial,  kind- 
hearted  old  Charlie  Pratt,  with  his  gun  and  fiddle,  was  always  a  happy  man,  a 
favorite  with  the  men,  women  and  children — Peace  to  his  ashes !  I  am  afraid  he 
rests  in  a  nameless  grave. 

In  those  early  years  all  new  comers  were  welcomed  with  cordial  friend- 
liness; but  as  young  men  outnumbered  the  maidens,  the  advent  of  each  young 
girl  was  hailed  with  delight ;  in  consequence  every  lassie  had  many  a  laddie. 

In  each  man's  anxiety  to  secure  a  wife  before  a  rival  stepped  in,  the  tender 
question  was  often  popped  on  the  briefest  acquaintance  and  with  little  ceremony. 
One  young  man  was  even  rash  enough  to  send  a  written  offer  of  himself,  his  log 
house  and  his  broad  acres  to  two  girls  on  the  same  day,  in  order  to  stake  his 
claim,  as  it  were,  without  delay.  It  happened  that  the  two  girls  were  intimate 
friends  and  confidents.  As  a  result  the  over-anxious  swain  received  on  the 
same  sheet  of  paper,  replies  from  the  two  young  ladies.  The  one  demanding 
first  love,  the  other  demanding  constancy.  Undaunted  the  young  man,  knowing 
of  a  land  in  the  east  where  maidens  were  plenty  as  strawberries  in  June,  made 
the  journey  on  foot  to  Chicago,  by  water  to  Buffalo  and  for  all  I  know  he  walked 
to  England;  but  he  returned  with  a  wife.  Another  young  farmer  was  less 
easy  to  please.  Like  Ceolebs  of  old  he  started  in  search  of  a  wife,  but  he  had 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  85 

his  ideals.  He  first  called  upon  Miss  Snow,  then  confided  to  a  friend  that  she 
was  agreeable  but  too  black ;  the  next  proved  fair  but  homely ;  the  third  was 
blonde  and  pretty  but  too  stout.  Sorrowing  he  turned  homewards,  but  stopped 
in  on  the  way  at  a  house  where  he  saw  a  young  girl  who  pleased  him,  and 
straightway  offering  his  hand  he  was  accepted,  two  weeks  later  was  married, 
living  happily  for  many  years  after. 

Before  the  period  of  settled  ministers  in  Freeport  the  marriage  ceremony 
was  often  arranged  without  much  regard  to  convention,  as  when  our  leading 
physician  tucked  his  sweetheart  into  a  crockery  crate  well  lined  with  straw,  seated 
himself  beside  her  and  sped  with  her  to  Rockford  where  the  nuptial  knot  was 
tied.  One  young  couple  had  the  good  luck  to  secure  a  bishop  to  officiate  at  the 
farm  house  home  of  the  bride.  The  lady,  learning  that  Bishop  Chase  was  to 
form  Zion  Parish  in  the  year  1842,  set  her  wedding  day  accordingly.  Wedding 
guests  assembled  from  Rockford  and  Freeport  as  well  as  from  neighboring 
farms.  The  good  Bishop,  in  his  full  white  robes,  began  the  service.  When  he 
came  to  the  prayer  and  saw  the  company  still  standing  he  paused,  then  issued 
the  command :  "Kneel  down,  every  one  of  you."  And  down  on  their  knees 
dropped  the  astonished  guests,  some  of  whom  seemed  unaccustomed  to  the  posi- 
tion. Having  concluded  the  marriage  the  bishop  proceeded  to  the  next  business 
in  hand  which  happened  to  be  a  christening,  for  one  of  the  guests  was  a  young 
mamma  who  brought  her  infant  to  the  wedding  in  order  to  seize  that  chance 
of  having  the  baby  christened  by  the  bishop. 

The  social  circle  widened  steadily,  with  many  delightful  additions.  Mr.  James 
Mitchell  had  married  Miss  Kate  Clark,  establishing  a  home  which  still  con- 
tinues to  be  a  center  of  hospitality.  Pennsylvania  had  given  us  the  Shaffer 
family,  one  of  the  daughters  being  Mrs.  Jesse  Snyder,  the  other  marrying  Dr. 
Sterns,  and  both  so  long  prominent  in  church  and  social  life;  while  later  the 
brothers,  Wilson  and  William,  won  distinction  in  the  Civil  War.  From  Cen- 
tral New  York  came  the  Clark  Brothers,  Silas  and  Warren,  with  their  families ; 
energetic  young  men  they  both  were,  adding  to  the  prosperity  of  the  town. 

Inevitably  a  gradual  transformation  was  taking  place  in  the  simple  irtfor- 
mality  of  social  life.  We  dropped  the  friendly  custom  of  speaking  to  a  stranger 
without  waiting  for  an  introduction.  Innovations  of  fashion  had  crept  in,  as  the 
more  ambitious  women  sent  to  Rockford  for  bonnets  or  to  Chicago  for  patterns ; 
until  finally  came  the  advent  of  the  milliners  and  dressmakers.  Inevitably,  too, 
the  accent  of  sectarianism  was  heard  in  the  religious  fold.  It  was  not  enougu 
that  we  were  Christians,  we  must  be  Presbyterians,  Baptists,  or  Methodists  as 
-.veil,  unless  we  happened  to  be  Catholics  or  Episcopalians.  Father  Brewster,  a 
man  of  sweet  and  saintly  spirit,  with  Mr.  Wright  and  Mr.  Knowlton,  fanned 
the  fires  of  Presbyterianism,  as  Elder  Schofield  faithfully  cleared  the  channel  for 
the  Baptist  stream.  Mrs.  Russell  and  Father  Wilcoxon  cultivated  the  field  of 
Methodism,  entertaining  with  unwearied  zeal  the  elders  and  exhorters  who 
builded  up  its  faith.  Father  Kavanaugh  raised  the  Catholic  standard,  and  the 
German  Lutherans  were  forming  the  neucleus  of  St.  John's  Church.  It  was 
the  Presbyterians  who  first  reared  their  own  place  of  worship,  the  brick  church 
of  1849,  which  stood  for  many  years  on  the  present  site  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 


86  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

building.     These  years  also  gave  us  two  weekly  papers,  the  Prairie  Democrat 
and  the  Freeport  Journal. 

FIRST  CIRCUIT  COURT. 

August  29,  1839,  saw  the  first  session  of  the  Circuit  Court  convened  in 
Stephenson  County.  Hon.  Daniel  Stone,  of  the  6th  Judicial  Circuit  was  trie 
judge.  As  there  were  no  local  attorneys  at  that  day,  the  lawyers  were  imported. 
They  came  mostly  from  Galena  and  Mr.  Hoag,  Thompson  Campbell,  and  prob- 
ably E.  B.  Washburne.  Others,  no  doubt,  were  present  who  followed  the  Circuit 
as  was  the  custom  in  those  days.  Hubbard  Graves  was  sheriff  and  John  A. 
Clark  was  clerk.  John  C.  Robey  and  Wm.  H.  Hollenbeck  were  qualified  ana 
appointed  deputies.  Previously  a  Grand  Jury  was  impanelled.  It  consisted  of 
John  Howe,  Luther  F.  Hall,  Samuel  F.  Dodds,  Levi  Wilcoxen,  Joseph  Lobdell, 
Pells  Manny,  A.  B.  Watson,  Mason  Dimmick,  Levi  R.  Hull,  Robert  Barber, 
Newcomb  Kinney,  Johnathan  Corey,  Phillip  Fowler,  Thomas  Grain,  Loring 
Snow,  Elldridge  Farwell,  Giles  Pierce,  D.  W.  C.  Mallory,  Job.  S.  Watson,  J.  K. 
Blackamore,  Thompson  Wilcoxen,  Edward  Marsh  and  Alpheus  Goddard. 

The  Petit  Jury  consisted  of:  Frederick  D.  Bulkley,  John  Goddard,  John  Va- 
nepps,  Rodney  Montague,  Mason  Dimmick,  J.  H.  Barber,  James  Hart,  Bartholo- 
meu  Fletcher,  Samuel  Nelson,  James  Canfil,  Thomas  Earley  and  Joseph  Green. 

The  first  case  that  came  up  was  one  of  Asa  B.  Ames  vs.  Jacob  Stroder,  on 
appeal.  The  case  was  dismissed  and  plaintiff  mulcted  of  costs.  August  27,  John 
O'Connor  and  Jackson  Buskirk  were  indicted  for  the  prevailing  crime  of  horse 
stealing.  As  they  were  unable  to  employ  the  counsel,  the  court  appointed 
Thompson  Campbell  and  John  C.  Kimball  to  defend  the  accused.  In  this  case, 
however,  a  change  of  venue  was  taken  to  Jo  Daviess  County,  and  the  case  was 
tried  there.  Hiram  Walker  was  also  tried  and  convicted  of  horse  stealing.  He 
was  sent  to  prison  at  Alton  for  a  term  of  four  years.  Another  case  was  that 
of  the  State  vs.  Robert  Campton  for  riot.  There  being  no  other  business,  the 
court  adjourned  on  the  same  day  it  convened.  On  April  7th  and  September  7th 
the  court  was  in  session  again  for  two  days  in  April  and  three  in  September, 
with  the  same  officials. 

COURTS,  LAWS,  ETC. 

A  man  who  had  stolen  a  horse  in  Winnebago  County  was  arrested  and  brought 
to  trial  in  Freeport.  The  indictment  was  defective  and  on  plea  of  his  counsel,  it 
was  apparent  that  the  criminal  would  have  to  be  released  by  the  court.  The  court 
evaded  this,  however,  by  adjourning  court  till  next  day.  At  once  a  man  was  sent 
on  horseback  to  Rockford  to  procure  a  new  indictment,  and  take  the  man  there  for 
trial.  He  arrived  at  Rockford  at  midnight  and  fording  the  river,  came  near  losing 
his  life  at  the  hands  of  a  body  of  "Regulators"  out  after  horse  thieves.  He  finally 
aroused  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  securing  a  new  indictment,  again  forded  the 
Rock  River  and  made  his  way  back  to  Freeport  in  time  to  be  present  at  the  opening 
of  court  next  morning.  When  court  opened,  the  prisoner  was  discharged  but 
immediately  re-arrested  on  the  new  warrant  and  taken  to  Rockford  where  he  was 
tried  and  convicted. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  87 

Court  proceedings  in  the  early  times  were  different  from  the  present  system. 
A  case  of  Mike  Walsh  is  a  good  illustration.  Mike  was  brought  before  Justice 
Red  on  a  complaint  of  assault  and  battery.  A  jury  was  duly  summoned  and  the 
case  was  fully  tried.  When  the  case  was  ready  to  go  to  the  jury,  Mike  started  a 
little  procedure  that  was  not  on  the  program,  and  a  kind  of  jury  "fixing,"  different 
from  that  indulged  in  today.  Just  as  the  jury  was  ready  to  retire,  Mike  came  in 
with  a  tin  pail  of  whiskey  and  a  cup.  Addressing  the  jury,  he  said,  "Gentlemen, 
I  expect  you  will  hang  the  little  Irishman,  but  we  will  have  a  drink  together  first." 
After  the  drinks  had  been  passed  around,  the  jury  retired.  They  were  not  out  long 
before  Mike  appeared  with  more  whiskey  and  tried  to  get  into  the  jury  room  to 
give  the  jury  further  "dustructions."  This  almost  provoked  a  fight  with  the 
constable  which  was  forestalled  by  the  appearance  of  the  jury,  which  rendered  a 
verdict  of  "not  guilty,"  and  divided  the  costs  between  the  parties.  The  money 
was  thus  paid  to  the  justice  who  in  turn  paid  it  to  the  witnesses  and  others  till  it 
was  all  gone. 

Claim  jumping  was  a  common  crime  in  the  early  days.  Worden  P.  Fletcher, 
known  as  "Pony"  Fletcher,  was  one  of  the  guilty  claim- jumpers.  He  came  to  the 
county  in  1830  and  that  year  was  arrested  and  brought  to  trial  before  Justice 
Richard  Hunt,  at  the  corner  of  Galena  and  Van  Buren  Streets.  At  the  close  of 
the  trial,  the  justice  decided  "Pony"  guilty  and  meted  out  to  him  rather  stringent 
punishment.  Fletcher  objected  to  the  severity  of  the  sentence,  pleading  that  claim- 
jumping  was  just  a  common  crime  and  a  nominal  offense.  He  was  an  eccentric 
character  and,  not  having  too  much  respect  for  the  law,  decided  to  take  the  affair 
into  his  own  hands  and  at  once  made  an  attempt  to  escape  without  having  com- 
plied with  the  conditions  of  the  court.  But  in  this  he  made  a  bad  guess.  The  au- 
dience, which  was  composed  of  men  who  had  no  love  for  claim-jumpers,  at  once 
took  a  hand,  became  a  self-appointed  posse  comitatus,  and  the  guilty  man  was 
restrained  from  taking  sudden  leave.  Enraged  at  his  plight  and  seeing  escape 
shut  off,  Fletcher  seized  his  gun  and  fired  at  the  justice.  The  aim  of  the  pris- 
oner was  bad,  luckily,  and  no  injury  was  done  except  the  vest  of  the  justice  was 
ruined.  Fletcher  was  pounced  upon  and  disarmed  and  session  of  court  was 
resumed.  Finally  he  gave  bail  to  appear  later.  Among  those  present  at  the 
time  were  Frederick  Baker,  Isaac  Stoneman,  Allen  Wiley  and  others.  Fletcher 
then  opened  a  farm  in  Rock  Run  township  where  he  later  married  a  daughter  of 
the  Widow  Swanson,  and  became  a  good  citizen.  The  case  against  him  was 
dropped. 

At  the  Old  Settlers'  Meeting  at  Cedarville,  1875,  Mr.  D.  A.  Knowlton,  Sr., 
of  Freeport,  told  the  following  story  which  indicates  one  way  of  collecting  a  bad 
bill.  He  said :  "You  know  that  I  was  always  called  a  sharp  collector.  One  day, 
a  man  named  Charlie  Hall  came  into  my  store  with  an  order  for  goods,  but  he 
wanted  more  goods  than  the  order  called  for.  I  said,  'Charley,  I  cannot  trust 
you;  and  "no"  is  a  word  I  can  always  say  in  business  matters.'  'But,'  pleaded 
Hall,  'let  me  have  them,  Mr.  Knowlton,  and  I  will  pay  you  next  week.'  I  then 
made  the  following  bargain  with  him :  'If  you  do  not  pay  me  the  balance  as  per 
agreement,  I  shall  have  the  privilege  of  kicking  you  every  time  I  see  you  till 
the  debt  is  paid.'  For  several  weeks  the  countenance  of  Hall  did  not  grace  my 
store;  but  after  a  while  he  appeared  and  walking  into  my  store,  I  said:  "Charles, 


88  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

I  would  like  to  see  you  a  moment  outside,'  and  when  out  I  gave  him  a  very  vio- 
lent kick.  Hall  turned  around  and  said,  'Knowlton,  what  is  that  for?'  'Accord- 
ing to  agreement,'  said  I.  The  sequel  to  the  case  was  that  in  a  few  days  Hall 
brought  in  a  load  of  corn  to  me,  in  payment  of  the  debt  which  I  received  and 
placed  to  his  credit.  I  afterwards  learned  that  he  was  trusted  for  the  corn  by  a 
farmer  in  order  to  avoid  any  further  indorsements  of  my  contract.  It  is  un- 
necessary to  add  that  the  farmer  was  never  paid  for  the  corn.  He  endeavored 
to  wash  two  hands  with  one  and  washed  the  farmer's." 

PRAIRIE  FIRES. 

Prairie  fires  are  to  be  added  to  the  list  of  pests  of  the  early  day.  In  speaking 
of  them  Mrs.  Oscar  Taylor  says : 

"Country  life  had  also  its  excitements  and  nature  her  dangers  as  well  as 
repose,  as  I  was  soon  to  discover.  During  the  Autumn,  particularly,  prairie 
fires  menaced  the  pioneers,  and  children  were  taught  to  be  always  on  the  lookout 
for  smoke  along  the  horizon.  One  afternoon  the  smaller  boys  gave  the  startling 
alarm  of  smoke  to  the  south  of  us,  and  the  wind  was  sending  the  fire  in  our  direc- 
tion. House  and  barns  and  stacks,  the  produce  of  the  whole  year,  would  be  swept 
away  before  nightfall  unless  we  could  break  the  onward  rush  of  the  flames.  The 
whole  force  of  the  farm,  men,  women  and  children,  were  set  to  work  under  my 
father's  direction.  We  must  fight  fire  with  fire  and  suround  the  farm  buildings 
with  a  belt  of  burned  grass  thus  robbing  the  hungry  enemy  of  fuel  in  that  direc- 
tion. To  burn  that  strip  of  grass  for  fifteen  feet  in  width  and  nearly  half  a  mile 
in  length,  and  to  keep  this  fire  from  spreading  beyond  control,  taxed  skill  and 
energy  to  the  utmost.  But  we  fought  our  battle ;  and  with  torn  garments,  burned 
hands  and  blackened  face  we  watched  the  defeat  of  the  enemy.  It  was  a  fear- 
fully magnificent  sight,  that  great  line  of  flames  rushing  with  speed  of  wild  horses, 
roaring,  cracking,  breathing  great  volumes  of  blackened  smoke.  Onward  it  came 
until  it  reached  the  line  of  defense;  the  savage  flames  flung  themselves  forward 
and  then  with  one  frantic  upward  flash  the  fire  died  instantly,  utterly  quenched 
along  the  blackened  belt.  But  on  either  side  of  our  premises  the  flames  pursued 
their  way  until  again  deprived  of  fuel  by  the  state  road  cutting  its  pathway. 
This  fire  was  spoken  of  for  years  after  as  the  great  fire  of  '39." 

In  the  year  1839  tne  people  of  Freeport  were  stricken  with  fevers  of  all  va- 
rieties. It  was  one  of  the  trying  times  of  the  early  days,  when  doctors  and  medi- 
cines were  almost  a  minus  quantity  and  hospitals  were  not  yet  thought  of.  The 
crisis,  however,  brought  out  the  splendid  spirit  of  co-operation  and  neighborly 
kindness  that  happily  prevailed.  In  regard  to  the  "fever  year,"  Mrs.  Oscar 
Taylor  says :  "This  year  of  '39  was  remembered  also  as  the  fever  year,  when 
fevers,  bilious,  intermittent,  remitting  and  I  know  not  what  else,  visited  the 
new-comers  without  partiality. 

"Dr.  Martin  in  his  green  overcoat,  on  horse-back  with  his  saddle-bags,  rode 
from  farm  to  farm  with  little  rest  by  night  or  day.  I  was  the  last  member  of  my 
father's  family  to  succumb  to  the  fever,  and  the  last  to  recover.  As  the  weather 
was  cold  during  my  convalescence,  and  it  was  necessary  that  changes  should 
be  made  in  our  house,  Dr.  Martin  kindly  arranged  for  me  to  be  taken  to  Freeport 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  89 

as  the  guest  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luther  Guiteau.     Mr.  Guiteau,  the  merchant  of  the 
town,  was  keeping  store  where  the  Billerbeck  building  now  stands." 

Mrs.  Taylor  speaks  as  follows  of  the  celebrating  of  the  4th  of  July,  1839: 
"To  celebrate  the  glorious  4th,  a  number  of  farm  wagons  were  mustered  and  the 
patriotically  inclined  drove  off  together  into  the  country,  not  minding  board  seats 
and  joltings,  but  full  of  merriment  in  their  determination  to  honor  the  day.  After 
the  drive  and  return  to  town  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  publicly  read 
by  Mr.  Clark,  and  Mr.  M.  P.  Sweet,  whose  eloquence  as  a  public  speaker  was  soon 
known  through  all  this  vicinity,  made  a  stirring  patriotic  address.  The  celebration 
terminated  in  a  dinner  at  the  Mansion  House,  given  by  the  proprietor,  the  father 
of  Mr.  Alpheus  Goddard.  This  Mansion  House  is  still  standing  where  first 
built  and  is  known  today  as  the  pop-factory. 

MORMONS  INVADE  THE  COUNTY. 

In  the  year  1840,  Stephenson  County  was  deeply  stirred  by  the  Mormons. 
Joseph  Smith  and  his  followers  having  made  temporary  establishments  in  New 
York,  Ohio  and  Missouri,  had  found  surroundings  unpleasant  in  the  last  named 
state  and  had  built  up  a  prosperous  settlement  at  Nauvoo,  Hancock  County,  Illi  • 
nois.  This  town  of  Nauvoo  was  headquarters  from  which  the  Mormon  mission- 
aries went  out  proselyting.  They  came  into  this  county  and  held  public  meet- 
ings. These  meetings  were  entirely  respectable  and  were  attended  by  some  of 
the  best  people  of  the  county,  for  Mormonism  was  not  then  understood.  There 
was  not  much  public  speaking  and  exhortation.  The  agents  of  Mormonism  be- 
lieved in  individual  work.  They  devoted  their  time  mainly  to  personal  interviews. 
They  had  great  success  elsewhere,  especially  in  southern  Illinois,  but  met  with 
meagre  result  in  Stephenson  County.  Hector  C.  Haight,  of  Jefferson  township, 
and  a  man  named  Shumway,  from  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  joined  them 
and  went  to  Nauvoo.  Haight  and  family  followed  the  Mormons  in  the  long 
pilgrimage  across  the  plains  to  Salt  Lake  City.  Nothing  was  heard  from  him 
for  years,  but  finally  word  came  back  to  Stephenson  County  that  he  had  been 
very  successful.  He  was  well  to  do  and  was  one  of  Brigham  Young's  advisors. 
In  this  matter  of  the  Mormon  invasion,  this  county  manifested  early  what  has 
always  been  one  of  its  chief  characteristics, — conservatism.  The  county  has 
never  been  exceedingly  emotional.  It  has  not  shown  itself  to  be  easily  and  en- 
thusiastically led  first  this  way,  then  that.  It  is  rather  a  stable  society,  pursuing 
the  even  tenor  of  its  way,  avoiding  temporary  and  transient  whims  and  fads. 

In  1840,  seven  years  after  the  first  permanent  settlement  was  made,  Steph- 
enson County  had  a  population  of  2,800.  Freeport  at  that  time  had  a  population 
of  49.  There  were  then  in  the  county,  9  saw  mills  and  5  grist  mills.  There 
were  10  schools  with  an  attendance  of  170  students. 

Among  the  settlers  who  came  after  1839,  not  including  those  who  settled  in 
Freeport,  were  the  following: 

Mr.  Martin  P.  Sweet  came  to  Freeport  in  1840  and  opened  a  law  office.  He 
was  born  in  New  York.  He  came  to  Winnebago  County  in  1837,  at  that  time 
being  a  licensed  Methodist  minister.  From  1840  until  his  death,  he  was  a 
leader  in  this  county.  He  took  the  stump  for  Wm.  Henry  Harrison,  the  log 


90  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

cabin  campaign  of  1840.  He  was  a  candidate  for  congress  in  1844  and  was  de- 
feated by  Mr.  Hoge,  the  Mormon  from  Hancock  County.  In  1850  he  was  again 
the  Whig  candidate,  and  made  a  great  fight,  but  lost.  As  a  lawyer,  he  was  re- 
markably successful,  and  as  an  orator  he  had  scarcely  an  equal  in  all  tne  west. 
He  was  a  self-made  man.  With  the  aid  of  his  wife,  he  built  his  cabin-home  in 
Winnebago  County  in  1837.  He  had  the  advantage  of  but  little  education.  He 
made  his  way  from  the  bottom  to  the  top  in  his  profession. 

William  Corning  of  English  descent.  He  was  a  native  of  New  Hamp- 
shire and  at  sixteen  worked  on  a  farm  for  $5.00  a  month.  Later  he  drove  the 
stage  from  Londonderry  and  Fovel  to  Andover,  Mars.  In  1842  he  caught  the 
western  fever  and  went  to  Galena  where  he  secured  a  position  as  stage  driver 
on  the  line  from  Galena  to  Freeport.  He  saved  his  earnings  and  bought  a  farm 
in  West  Point  township,  but  did  not  quit  the  stage  till  1853  when  it  was  evident 
that  the  stage  was  to  be  replaced  by  the  railroad. 

In  1840  Oneco,  in  Oneco  township,  was  platted  and  there  were  several  men 
who  believed  that  here  was  to  be  built  up  a  great  town.  The  town  was  laid  out 
by  John  K.  Brewster.  It  was  the  day  of  water  power  and  Brewster  believed 
that  Honey  Creek  had  great  possibilities  along  this  line.  He  believed  the  power 
sufficient  to  run  several  mills  and  that  a  town  would  be  built  around  them.  For 
two  reasons,  and  more  no  doubt,  the  town  never  materialized.  One  was  that  the 
water  power  was  not  there,  and  the  other  was  that  Orangeville  possessed  good 
power.  Thus  another  good  paper  town  went  the  way  of  Ransomberg. 

The  stage  line  to  Chicago  was  well  established  in  1840.  It  was  the  only 
regular  means  of  communicating  with  the  outside  world.  The  arrival  of  each 
stage  from  Chicago  was  as  much  an  event  as  the  arrival  of  a  train  today  in  the 
small  village.  The  signal  of  approach  was  the  lusty  notes  of  the  stage  bugler, 
and  they  were  greeted  with  joy  by  the  passengers  of  the  stage,  and  with  antici- 
pations by  the  town,  most  of  which  turned  out  to  see  the  arrivals  and  to  get  the 
mail. 

In  1839  and  '40  the  temperance  wave  that  swept  over  America  in  1830  to  1840 
reached  Freeport.  A  temperance  society  was  organized  in  1842  and  held  meet- 
ings in  a  room  over  a  saloon  on  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Galena  streets.  Mr. 
Alpheus  Goddard  was  a  leader  in  the  movement.  It  was  on  his  invitation  that. 
L.  W.  Guiteau  went  to  Cedarville  and  made  what  is  thought  to  be  the  first  tem- 
perance address  in  the  county.  When  the  rime  arrived,  Mr.  Guiteau  found  it 
necessary  to  ride  through  a  terrific  snow  storm  to  Cedarville,  but  he  meant  to 
keep  his  engagement,  and  went  and  delivered  his  address  to  a  small  but  apprecia- 
tive audience.  Among  the  leaders  of  the  movement  were  John  A.  Clark  and 
Rev.  F.  C.  Winslow. 

From  1840  to  1850  more  professional  men  came  into  the  county,  more  law- 
yers and  doctors,  and  likewise  more  merchants.  Among  the  lawyers  were  Martin 
Sweet,  Thomas  J.  Turner,  Horatio  C.  Buchardt,  and  Oscar  Taylor. 

In  1844,  Hon.  John  H.  Adams  came  to  Cedarville  and  bought  the  mill. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  91 


AFTER  1837. 

Mathias  Hettinger  came  to  Freeport  in  1841.  He  was  a  native  of  Keffenach, 
Alsace  Loraine.  He  came  to  America  in  1836,  working  at  the  wagon  making 
trade  in  Williamsville,  New  York,  for  ten  years.  He  lived  a  while  at  Canton, 
Ohio,  and  then  was  three  years  in  Portsmouth,  Ohio,  manufacturing  plows. 
After  working  as  a  journeyman  at  the  wagon  makers  trade  a  few  months  in 
1841,  he  opened  a  small  shop,  repairing  and  making  wagons,  buggies,  etc.  In 
1865,  he  was  influential  in  the  organization  of  the  German  Insurance  Company 
and  was  its  first  president.  In  1876,  he  entered  the  banking  business.  He  was 
one  of  the  committee  that  erected  the  present  courthouse.  Mr.  John  Hoebel,  of 
Phenish-Bavaria,  came  to  Freeport  in  1842.  For  several  years  he  was  in  the 
shoe-making  business.  He  served  as  city  treasurer  and  was  three  times  elected 
alderman. 

Thomas  W.  Johnson  who  came  from  England  to  Freeport  in  1839,  worked 
in  the  store  of  D.  A.  Knowlton  and  received  for  his  first  year's  work  $50.00 
and  his  board.  He  later  became  a  well  to  do  real  estate  dealer. 

June  n,  1838,  O.  H.  Wright  was  granted  a  license  to  sell  merchandise  for 
one  year,  he  paying  $12.00  into  the  county  treasury. 

August  16,  1838,  on  sworn  complaint  of  William  Kirkpatrick,  Richard  Hunt 
and  William  Baker,  against  the  county  clerk,  Wm.  H.  Hollenbeck,  for  want  of 
qualifications  and  neglect  of  official  duties,  the  commissioners  removed  him  from 
office  and  appointed  Richard  Hunt  as  clerk. 

The  commissioners  qualified  in  1838  were  L.  W.  Streator,  Robert  M.  Mc- 
Connell  and  John  Moore. 

October  25,  1838,  L.  W.  Guiteau  was  granted  a  permit  to  retail  merchandise 
in  Freeport,  paying  $5.00  to  the  county  treasury. 

December  4,  1838,  O.  H.  Wright  gave  and  took  the  oath  of  office  of  probate 
justice  of  the  peace. 

D.  A.  Knowlton  was  granted  a  permit  to  vend  a  retail  merchandise  March  16, 
1839. 

In  June,  1839,  grocer's  license  fee  was  raised  to  $200.00. 
Financial  statement  of  the  commissioners  in  March,  1839,  for  years  1837  and 
1838  to  date: 
Payments : 

Orders  issued  for  service $  448.04 

Orders  issued  and  not  redeemed 154-99 

Orders  issued   9I-55 

Orders   issued    121.28 

To  T.  J.  Turner,  court  house  contract 2,500.00 

To  Hollenbeck  &  Truax  on  jail 750.00 

To  James,  extra  mason  work  on  court  house 374-QO 


Total   $4,440.00 


92  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Receipts : 

For  licenses    $  200.00 

For  taxes,  1837  214.00 

For  taxes,   1838    94. 50 

From   fines    , 78.00 

Taxes  due  for  1838 201.63^ 

Fines  due,  not  collected 86.00 

Bonus   received   from  proprietors   of   Freeport 3,707.51 

Bonus  due  from  proprietors  of  Freeport 542.13^ 


Total   $5,124.00 

RICHARD  HUNT,  CLERK. 

June  19,  1839,  the  commissioners  passed  an  order:  "Resolved,  that  it  is  in- 
cumbent upon  the  commissioners  as  special  agent  of  the  county,  to  take  into  their 
special  possession  the  court  house  as  it  now  stands,  the  contract  having  been, 
by  said  Turner,  abandoned."  The  court  house  was  said  to  have  been  completed 
in  eighteen  months,  but  the  commissioners  state,  "said  Turner  has  failed  and 
absolutely  refused  to  comply  with  the  stipulations  of  the  contract." 

June  19,  1839,  the  commissioners  advertised  for  bids  for  the  completion 
of  the  court  house. 

June  19,  1839,  the  commissioners  retained  Thompson  Campbell  as  attorney 
to  bring  suit  vs.  Thomas  J.  Turner  and  William  Fitzpatrick  on  contract  to 
build  court  house.  For  this  service  and  for  advice  to  the  commissioners  on  other 
subjects,  Campbell  was  to  receive  $100.00. 

July  n,  1839,  the  commissioners  entered  into  a  contract  with  Richard  Earl, 
with  L.  W.  Guiteau  security,  to  complete  the  outside  of  the  court  house  foi 
$1,000. 

AN  EARLY  HOTEL. 

Mr.  Horace  Tarbox,  of  New  York,  came  to  Freeport  in  1841  and  engaged 
in  the  hotel  and  livery  business.  In  1848  he  completed  a  three-story  stone  hotel 
building  at  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Stephenson  Streets.  This  hotel  was  opened 
to  the  public  January  i,  1849,  and  called  the  "Winneshiek  House."  This  was 
then  credited  with  being  the  only  first  class  hotel  in  the  county.  The  opening 
was  celebrated  with  a  grand  ball  and  was  attended  by  people  for  miles  around. 
The  ball  was  one  of  the  big  social  events  of  the  decade. 

Joseph  B.  Smith  who  came  to  Freeport  in  1846,  speaks  of  the  society  of  the 
citizens  as  follows : 

"The  good  fellowship  that  existed  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  small  village 
in  1846  was  remarkable  in  its  social  and  friendly  intercourse  and  the  confidence 
maintained  by  the  integrity  of  each  other.  No  breaches  of  the  peace  for  crimes 
of  any  magnitude  were  perpetrated.  The  doors  of  the  dwellings  were  seldom 
locked;  indeed  many  of  them  contained  no  locks  at  all.  The  merchants,  whose 
stocks  were  limited  to  the  necessities  of  the  settlers,  all  were  striving  through 
honest  effort  to  better  their  conditions." 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  93 

A.  T.  Green,  an  early  attorney  and  prominent  citizen  of  Freeport,  came  in 
1839.  He  walked  from  Rockford  and  sitting  on  a  stump  on  a  hill  near  Free- 
port,  he  counted  just  forty  roofs  of  all,  that  being  all  there  were  at  that  time. 
James  Hart  came  in  1836,  his  family  arriving  the  next  year.  Thomas  Wilcoxen, 
of  Georgia,  made  a  prospecting  tour  through  the  county  in  1835,  following  the 
Indian  trails.  In  1837,  he  settled  on  a  claim  near  Cedarville. 

O.  P.  McCool  came  into  Stephenson  County  with  his  father  in  1840,  settling 
first  in  Lancaster,  then  in  Harlem. 

THE  PEOPLE  VERSUS  SHIN-PLASTERS. 

December  18,  1852,  a  public  meeting  was  held  at  the  office  of  William  Pres- 
ton to  adopt  measures  calculated  to  suppress  the  circulation  of  illegal  currency  or 
"shin-plasters."  Mr.  Preston  was  elected  chairman,  and  John  S.  Emmert,  secre- 
tary. The  following  committee  was  appointed :  John  Black,  John  K.  Brew- 
ster,  W.  P.  Hunt,  E.  H.  Hyde,  Warren  Clark,  S.  D.  Knight,  J.  A.  W.  Donahoo, 
I.  Stoneman,  Thomas  Egan,  G.  W.  Maynard  and  William  Sanford.  Resolutions 
were  adopted  urging  the  people  to  discountenance  the  circulation  of  all  but  specie 
paying  bank  notes. 

THE  TOWN  BELL. 

In  October,  1853,  the  Freeport  Journal  made  a  strenuous  complaint  because 
the  town  bell  ceased  to  ring.  The  Journal  editor  said  he  understood  it  had  ceased 
because  the  sexton  felt  that  his  pay  was  too  small.  "Who  will  take  hold  of  the 
matter,"  asks  the  Journal. 

MANNY  REAPER  WINS  OVER  McCORMICK. 

The  Journal  of  December  3,  1852,  expresses  great  joy  because  the  Manny 
Reaper  won  a  gold  medal  at  the  annual  fair  of  the  Chicago  Mechanics  Institute, 
over  the  McCormick  Reaper. 

In  1853,  September,  the  following  were  elected  town  trustees:  Peter  B.  Fos- 
ter, William  D.  Oyler,  Jacob  Mayor,  Frederick  Baker,  and  William  D.  Smith. 

April  15,  1853,  the  Freeport  Journal  says  the  following  lawyers  attended 
the  meeting  of  the  circuit  court :  Turner,  Betts,  Clark,  Goodhue,  Bright,  Mea- 
cham,  Burke  and  Kean  of  Freeport  and  Marsh,  Loop,  Brown  and  Burnap  of 
Rockford  and  Dutcher  of  Ogle. 

THE  FIRST  CIRCUS. 

It  was  in  June  of  1842  that  Freeport  had  a  touch  of  real  life  in  the  form  of 
a  circus.  The  first  show  grounds  were  on  the  site  of  the  old  Fremont  House. 
Settlers  for  miles  around  came  in  and  Freeport  established  a  reputation  as  a 
good  circus  town,  a  reputation  that  holds  good  with  a  vengeance  to  date.  This 
first  circus  did  not  come  in  a  special  train,  but  it  was  a  "great  success"  and  the 
box  office  of  Levi  North,  the  manager,  was  liberally  patronized. 

TRIPP  BOY  LOST. 

A  boy  lost  in  the  woods  in  1842  caused  considerable  excitement.  The  boy's 
name  was  Tripp,  and  he  had  gone  out  to  the  woods  along  Yellow  Creek  to 


94  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

hunt  butternuts.  His  companions  were  evidently  full  of  the  "Wild  West"  and 
sought  to  have  some  fun  by  frightening  him.  One  of  the  boys  with  a  buffalo 
robe  represented  a  panther  and  this  with  the  cries  of  the  other  boys  cause  young 
Tripp  to  take  to  the  woods.  He  became  separated  from  his  companions  and 
soon  lost  his  way.  At  night  the  party  returned,  but  without  young  Tripp.  Next 
day  a  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  and  a  committee  on  horses  searched  the  woods 
for  the  lost  boy.  The  committee  kept  up  the  search  for  several  days  and  nights 
and  finally  found  the  lad  three  miles  from  his  starting  point.  The  boy  was  ex- 
hausted and  almost  starved.  He  soon  recovered  and  the  affair  that  caused  so 
much  commotion  was  soon  dropped. 

THE  FIRST  BRICK  BUILDING. 

The  first  brick  building  was  erected  in  Freeport  about  1842.  Just  where  the 
first  one  was  erected  and  the  exact  date  can  not  be  definitely  determined.  As 
usual  several  claims  are  put  forward.  One  claim  refers  to  a  residence  of  David 
Clay  at  the  corner  of  Bridge  and  Van  Buren  streets.  Another  refers  to  a  brick 
residence  built  at  the  corner  of  Galena  and  Cherry  streets,  about  1845,  by  John 
Perkins.  Still  another  points  to  a  one-story  brick  building  at  the  corner  of 
Stephenson  and  Mechanic  streets.  In  1846  Mr.  A.  T.  Green  built  a  brick  build- 
ing at  the  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Chicago  streets.  The  first  three-story 
brick  building  was  that  built  on  Stephenson  street  by  O.  H.  Wright  and  used 
as  a  store  and  warehouse.  In  1848,  Mr.  Horace  Tarbox,  who  came  to  Free- 
port  and  established  a  hotel  and  livery  business,  built  a  large  three-story  stone 
building  at  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Stephenson  streets.  This  was  used  by 
Mr.  Tarbox  as  a  hotel.  It  was  torn  down  in  1874.  By  1840  other  good  build- 
ings were  erected  by  D.  A.  Knowlton,  George  Purrington,  E.  Rosenstiel,  Wil- 
liam Glover,  Emmert  &  Strohm,  I.  C.  Stoneman  and  others. 

In  1849  the  first  church  building  was  erected  in  Freeport,  on  the  present  site 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building.  The  church  was  to  be  40x65  and  was  built  of 
stone  and  brick  and  cost  $460.00.  Owing  to  difficulties,  the  building  was  not 
completed  until  1851.  In  1851  the  Second  Presbyterians  and  the  Methodists 
built  churches.  In  1850,  December  25,  the  First  Baptist  church  was  built  where 
the  German  Catholic  church  now  stands.  The  Episcopal  church  was  built  in 
1852.  The  first  Catholic  church  building  was  erected  near  the  present  site  of 
St.  Mary's  church  in  1854. 

Early  in  the  fifties  Plymouth  Block,  at  the  corner  of  Van  Buren  and  Steph- 
enson streets  was  built  and  the  people  of  Freeport  were  proud  of  the  structure. 
The  building  had  served  its  purpose  and  gave  way  in  1868  to  the  present  Wil- 
coxen  building.  In  1852  the  Union  school  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $3,000  on  the 
site  of  the  present  high  school. 

WATER  POWER  RIGHTS. 

In  1846  O.  H.  Wright  and  E.  S.  Hanchett  by  act  of  the  Legislature  incor- 
porated the  Hydraulic  &  Manufacturing  Company  of  Stephenson  County.  The 
charter  gave  Wright  &  Hanchett  legal  right  to  build  a  dam  across  the  Pecatonica 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  95 

River.  The  race  was  built  by  Jacob  Zimmerman  under  the  direction  of  John 
Lerch.  The  race  was  900  feet  wide  and  6  feet  deep.  In  1847  Hanchett  built  a 
saw  mill  on  the  site  of  the  old  Goddard  flour  mill.  The  mill  was  built  of  logs, 
square-hewed  with  the  ax. 

ENGLISH   COLONY— RIDOTT. 

In  1842,  Stephenson  County  was  still  one  of  the  localities  of  Northern  Illi- 
nois that  was  attractive  to  the  immigrants  from  the  East.  About  this  time  the 
unsettled  political  condition  of  Europe  was  the  cause  of  considerable  emigration 
to  America.  The  free  public  land  system  of  America  by  which  the  landless  of 
the  old  world  could  easily  become  owners  of  large  farms,  appealed  to  the  ten- 
ants of  England  especially.  Just  as  the  Norwegians  in  1839  had  sent  an  agent  to 
look  over  the  public  lands  of  America  and  pick  out  a  location  in  1842,  farmers 
in  England  appointed  a  man  of  their  own  number  to  visit  the  United  States 
and  select  a  favorable  site  for  settlement.  This  agent  crossed  the  United  States 
to  Illinois,  came  out  on  the  Frink  and  Walker  stage  and  after  making  con- 
siderable investigation,  was  especially  pleased  with  the  surroundings  in  Ridott 
township  and,  writing  to  England,  advised  the  colony  to  settle  there.  He  ex- 
plained to  the  English  farmers  the  advantages  of  this  county.  The  farmers  began 
at  once  to  make  preparations  for  the  journey.  They  looked  to  America  as  the 
country  of  opportunity  and  about  twenty-two  of  them  left  their  native  land 
August  28,  1842,  to  cross  the  continent  of  America  to  find  new  homes.  They 
came  from  that  strong  class  of  Englishmen  that  has  always  been  the  basis  of 
England's  successes  in  war  and  peace.  They  were  skilled  in  agriculture.  The 
descendants  of  many  of  these  people  are  yet  to  be  found  in  this  county  and, 
though  assimilated  in  the  mass  of  our  population,  they  have  added  something  of 
enduring  value  to  the  character  of  the  population  of  Stephenson  County. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  operate  the  colony  on  the  community  of  interest  plan. 
No  doubt,  they  were  influenced  by  the  teachings  of  Robert  Owen,  who  had 
brought  out  a  colony  of  Englishmen  and  founded  New  Harmony,  Indiana. 

After  two  years  the  colony  was  broken  up  by  withdrawals,  some  going  on 
farther  west.  The  settlers  came  into  other  parts  of  the  county  in  1842,  but  no- 
where, not  even  in  Freeport,  in  such  numbers  as  in  Ridott  township.  In  fact, 
there  was  considerable  disappointment  because  the  population  did  not  increase 
fast  enough  to  meet  the  expectations  of  the  people. 

By  this  time  trade  was  turned  largely  to  Chicago.  The  lead  mine  markets 
had  fallen  and  Chicago  offered  the  additional  inducement  of  newly  arrived  immi- 
grants who  wanted  to  be  transported  to  this  section.  This  was  cash  business  and 
very  acceptable  to  farmers  on  the  return  trip. 

THE  WALLACE  SUICIDE. 

A  suicide  broke  the  even  tenor  of  the  life  of  the  people  in  1841.  An  old 
man,  William  Wallace,  had  settled  in  the  county  in  1836.  From  his  peculiar 
actions  the  people  who  knew  him  regarded  him  as  insane.  Little  was  known 
about  the  man  and  his  history.  In  one  of  his  melancholy  moods,  he  hanged  him- 


96  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

self  to  a  tree  near  the  village  of  Rock  Grove.  His  dead  body  was  found  swing- 
ing from  a  limb  by  some  boys  who  were  out  hunting  for  cows  in  the  "common." 
The  boys  carried  the  news  to  the  settlers,  who  hastened  to  the  place,  cut  down 
the  unfortunate  man  and  buried  him  near  the  spot  of  his  own  execution.  The 
suicide  caused  quite  a  ripple  of  excitement  over  the  county. 

THE  BOARDMAN  MURDER. 

The  year  1843  brought  the  first  murder  in  the  county  after  its  incorpora- 
tion. The  tragedy  occurred  on  a  farm  in  Rock  Grove  township  owned  then  by 
Daniel  Noble.  Boardman  was  a  hired  man  employed  by  Noble.  As  the  story 
goes,  one  day  in  the  fall  of  1843,  Noble  and  Boardman  with  their  guns  started 
off  on  a  hunt.  The  two  were  gone  several  days,  when  Noble  returned  without 
Boardman.  Noble  explained  that  Boardman  had  gone  in  the  direction  of  Wis- 
consin, being  discouraged  with  the  prospect  in  Rock  Grove  township.  Board- 
man gave  a  watch  to  Noble  and  asked  him  to  tell  Mrs.  Boardman  that  when 
he  was  located  in  a  new  home  he  would  return  for  his  wife. 

The  winter  and  spring  passed  and  Noble's  story  of  Boardman's  disap- 
pearance was  not  questioned,  largely  because  of  the  character  of  the  relations 
apparently  existing  between  the  two  men.  Early  in  the  summer,  a  Mr.  Marsh, 
a  neighbor  of  Noble,  discovered  the  remains  of  a  man  in  the  brush.  The  skull 
showed  evidence  of  violence,  and  Marsh  severing  it  from  the  body,  took  it  to 
Noble's  farm  and  in  the  presence  of  many  men  exhibited  the  "find"  to  Noble. 
Suspicion  already  under  current,  was  strengthened  against  Noble  because  of  his 
appearance  and  conduct  when  confronted  with  the  skull.  It  was  agreed  that 
Noble  should  be  arrested  the  following  day,  or  just  as  soon  as  a  warrant  could 
be  secured  from  Justice  Frankenberger.  Noble  took  time  by  the  forelock,  how- 
ever, and  that  night  disappeared,  leaving  his  wife  with  her  father  in  Ogle  County. 
He  was  last  heard  of  at  Dixon,  and  was  never  found  or  arrested.  Consequently 
the  story  of  the  murder  has  never  been  told. 

GERMAN  COLONY. 

A  colony  of  Germans  settled  in  Ridott  township  in  1850.  Henry  and  Daniel 
Brick  had  come  to  America  in  1844  from  Germany.  H.  Frylings  came  from 
Hanover  in  1850.  John  Heeren  of  Asuaisvaland,  and  Ulrich  Boomgaarden  from 
Hanover  in  1850.  Balster  Jelderks,  Jacob  Molter,  Fokke  Rewerts  and  Michael 
Van  Oosterloo  came  from  Germany  the  same  year.  In  1852  among  many  others, 
the  following  joined  the  German  colony  in  Ridott  township:  Henry  Borchers, 
Bearnd  Groveneveld,  Peter  Herrmann,  Charles  Rohkar,  Henry  Scheffner,  John 
Scheffner,  Abram  Schleich  and  Edward  Weik.  Niel  Johnson  came  from  Han- 
over in  1853.  Mathias  Timms  in  1854  and  John  Rademaker  in  1855.  Michael 
Bardell  came  from  Alsace  in  1845,  having  landed  in  America  in  1841.  Adam 
Fisher  came  from  Bavaria  in  1858. 

1844-50. 

It  was  not  all  peace  and  happiness  in  the  county  at  this  periol.  The  early 
surveys  were  extremely  faulty.  Many  corner  stones  were  never  set  at  all,  and 


Ol'It  BAXI>  BKFl  >!{]•:  TIIK   WAI! 


1.  E.  KiillutT 

2.  W.  II.  Wanner 

3.  J.  Kiieflf 


II.  Baler 
Mr.  Johnson 
J.  Decider 


.T.  Lcecke 

J.  Hotzlcr 


OF  THE 
UNIVERSE  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  97 

others  were  incorrectly  placed.  The  surveys  were  especially  faulty  along  the 
river.  Claims  overlapped  and  when  the  adjustments  came  to  be  made  in  1844 
to  1850,  much  strife  arose  among  contesting  claimants.  Neighborhood  contro- 
versies in  which  the  people  took  sides  waxed  furiously.  Much  bad  blood  was 
stirred  up  and  feuds  were  developed  that  continued  long  after  the  source  of 
the  conditions  had  disappeared.  As  land  values  increased  and  improvements 
were  made,  the  controversies  increased  in  fury.  It  is  claimed  to  this  day  that 
some  lands  along  the  river  are  still  government  lands,  but  farmed  by  men  who 
own  adjacent  farms. 

THE  WAR  WITH  MEXICO. 

Stephenson  County  had  not  been  organized  ten  years  when  the  war  with 
Mexico  began  in  1846.  The  war  grew  out  of  the  annexation  of  Texas,  losses 
of  Americans  by  Mexican  depredations,  and  a  dispute  over  the  boundary  line 
of  Texas.  Mexico  claimed  that  the  Nueces  River  was  the  boundary,  but  Presi- 
dent Polk  and  Texas  insisted  that  the  boundary  extended  to  the  Rio  Grande. 
Some  Americans  were  slain  in  the  disputed  territory  and  Polk  sent  General 
Zachary  Taylor  with  an  army  of  about  2500  men  to  the  Rio  Grande.  Folk's  war 
message,  "American  blood  has  been  spilled  on  American  soil !"  aroused  the 
fighting  spirit  of  Americans  and  the  wave  of  warlike  enthusiasm  spread  into  the 
sparsely  settled  communities  of  Stephenson  County. 

The  call  for  volunteers  included  a  call  for  three  regiments  from  Illinois. 
Enthusiasm  ran  high  in  this  county  and  mass  meetings  of  men  from  all  parts 
of  the  county  was  held  in  the  court  house  at  Freeport.  Major  John  Howe  was 
chairman  of  the  meeting.  Stirring,  patriotic  addresses  were  made  by  S.  B.  Far- 
well  and  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner.  Several  enlistments  were  the  result,  and 
these  with  enlistments  that  came  in  from  almost  every  community,  soon  ex- 
ceeded the  demand.  In  all,  about  twenty-five  men  enlisted  and  went  into  the 
war.  One  of  these,  William  Goddard,  won  the  rank  of  Captain.  The  Stephen- 
son  County  enlistments  were  placed  in  the  company  of  Captain  McKinney  of 
Dixon,  and  it  is  believed  formed  a  part  of  the  second  regiment  of  Illinois 
soldiers,  under  command  of  J.  L.  D.  Morrison,  of  St.  Clair  County.  The  regi- 
ment was  mustered  on  July  2,  1846,  and  after  taking  part  in  the  battle  of  Buena 
Vista  and  other  battles  returned  to  Springfield,  June  4,  1847. 

The  Stephenson  County  volunteers  then  returned  home  and  were  accorded 
an  enthusiastic  reception.  Mass  meetings  and  dinners  were  given  in  their  honor, 
and  eloquent  toasts  and  patriotic  addresses,  full  of  praise  of  the  men  who  had 
fought  under  "Old  Rough  and  Ready"  welcomed  the  returning  heroes.  Another 
call  for  troops  came  in  1847  and  met  with  a  similar  response,  but  the  war  soon 
closed  by  Scott's  capture  of  the  City  of  Mexico. 

The  war  confirmed  the  annexation  of  Texas  and  annexed  California,  New 
Mexico,  Arizona  and  part  of  Nevada,  Colorado  and  Utah.  Right  or  wrong  in  its 
inception,  the  Mexican  War  was  right  in  its  results.  It  rounded  out  nicely  the 
boundary  of  the  United  States,  gave  us  a  harbor  on  the  Pacific  Coast,  and  gave 
over  to  Anglo  Saxon  civilization  a  great  territory,  the  development  and  govern- 
ment of  which  was  impossible  under  the  control  of  the  incompetent  descendants 
of  the  Spaniard. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


AFTER  1837. 

Abraham  Gund  came  to  Stephenson  County  from  Baden  in  1847.  Three 
years  later  he  made  the  trip  to  California  and  there  engaged  in  his  trade  of 
blacksmithing.  He  succeeded  fairly  well  prospecting  and  returned  to  this  county 
in  1855.  His  California  earnings  were  lost  in  a  St.  Louis  Bank  failure,  but  he 
struggled  on  and  soon  bought  the  old  homestead  in  Silver  Creek  township.  He 
served  the  county  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors  and  county  treas- 
urer. George  and  Sophia  Gund,  parents  of  Frederick  and  Abraham  Gund  came 
to  America  in  1848  settlnng  in  Silver  Creek  township  where  they  died  of  cholera 
in  1850. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

In  November,  1847,  the  first  newspaper  printed  in  the  county  came  off 
the  press.  This  was  the  Prairie  Democrat,  founded  by  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner, 
and  edited  by  Mr.  S.  D.  Carpenter.  The  business  of  the  paper  was  first  con- 
ducted in  a  room  in  the  old  court  house.  Later  it  was  published  in  a  frame 
building  at  the  corner  of  Galena  and  Chicago  streets  and  then  to  the  corner 
of  Stephenson  and  Chicago  streets.  J.  A.  P.  Burnside  succeeded  Mr.  Carpen- 
ter, Mr.  George  P.  Ordway  running  the  paper  the  year  of  1852.  In  1853  with  a 
new  press  and  new  type  the  paper  changed  its  name  and  since  that  date  has  ap- 
peared as  the  Freeport  Bulletin.  For  a  time  the  bulletin  was  run  by  Bagg  and 
Brawley  and  in  1861  was  sold  to  Giles  &  Scroggs.  The  paper,  from  1847  to 
1861,  had  enjoyed  a  good  patronage  and  was  of  great  influence  on  the  county. 

In  politics,  the  Prairie  Democrat  and  the  Bulletin  were  consistently  Demo- 
cratic.   Mr.  Turner's  aim  in  establishing  the  Democrat  was  to  have  an  organ 
which  would  aid  him  and  his  party  in  managing  the  politics  of  the  county. 
Democratic  successes  from  1847  to  1860  were  very  auspicious  for  the  welfare    , 
of  the  Democratic  paper. 

The  Prairie  Democrat  of  1847  contained  its  own  ad  as  follows: 

PRAIRIE  DEMOCRAT. 

Published  Weekly. 
Freeport,  Wednesday,  Jan.  26,  1848. 

Terms — Single  copy,   if  paid  in       advance  or  within  two 

months  from  the  time  of  subscribing $  2.00 

If  paid  within  the  year 2.50 

The  usual  rates  will  be  charged  to  village  subscribers  who 
receive  their  papers  per  carrier. 

5  copies  to  one  post  office,  in  advance 9.10 

10  copies  to  one  post  office,  in  advance l7-5° 

20  copies  to  one  post  office,  in  advance 30.00 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  99 

Job  and  Advertising  Prices. 

For   100  half   sheet   bills $  4.0x5 

For  100  half  sheet  bills  per   100,  over  100 1.50 

For  quarter  sheet  bills 2.00 

For  quarter   sheet   bills,   per    100,   over   300 i.oo 

All  bills  less  than  quarter  sheet  per  100 2.00 

For   Blanks  per  quire 75   cts     i.oo 

For   Cards,    per   pack i  .00 

For  Cards  per  pack,  each  additional  pack 75 

Ball  tickets — one,  two,  three  and 5.00 

Bills  with  borders  and  all  fancy  jobs  charged  extra. 

Advertising — One   square  one  insertion i.oo 

each  additional  insertion   50 

one  month    2.00 

three  months    ,     3.50 

six  months   6.00 

one  year 10.00 

Patent  Medicines  one  column  per  year 50.00 

Cards  not  exceeding  six  lines  per  year 5.00 

Job  and  Book  printing  of  all  kinds  neatly  executed  at  this  office. 
All  communications  and  advertisements  should  be  left  at  the 
office  as  early  as  Saturday  next  preceding  a  publication,  in  order 
to  insure  a  publication  the  next  week. 

N.  B.  Advertisements  should  be  marked  the  number  of  inser- 
tions required,  or  they  will  be  continued  until  forbid,  and  charged 
accordingly. 

The  first  issue  of  the  Freeport  Journal  appeared  November  22,  1848.  The 
paper  was  a  six  column  weekly  folio.  The  Journal  was  founded  by  H.  G. 
Gratton  and  A.  McFadden.  The  "office"  was  an  old  building  at  the  corner  of 
Broadway  and  Beaver  streets.  After  a  year  the  Journal  was  published  in  a 
frame  building  on  Galena  street,  between  Walnut  and  South  Galena  Avenue. 
The  next  place  of  publication  was  north  of  the  courthouse  and  in  1855  the  Jour- 
nal was  housed  in  Martin's  block  on  Stephenson  street  between  Van  Buren  and 
Chicago  streets.  In  1852  the  Journal  expanded  and  became  a  seven  column 
folio,  and  appeared  in  a  new  dress.  Mr.  Hiram  Sheetz,  who  had  purchased  a 
part  interest  in  1851,  became  sole  proprietor  in  1853.  Mr.  Sheetz  sold  the 
paper  to  Judson  and  McClure  in  1856,  who  conducted  the  paper  the  next  ten 
years. 

THE    ANZEIGER. 

In  1853  the  Deutscher  Anzeiger  was  founded  by  William  Wagner,  Sr., 
assisted  by  William  Wagner,  Jr.  From  1853  to  the  present  time,  the  Anzeiger 
has  been  the  property  of  the  Wagner  family.  Mr.  Wagner  purchased  a  printing 
outfit  at  Galena  and  began  with  a  four  page,  five  column  weekly.  The  office 
was  located  in  the  third  story  of  the  Wright  building  on  the  northeast  corner 
of  Stephenson  and  Adam  street.  In  1854  the  paper  was  domiciled  at  No.  8 
South  Galena  Avenue.  The  paper  was  printed  by  a  hand  press.  For  a  time 


100  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

on  account  of  limited  means,  the  paper  was  published  by  amateur  type  setters. 
In  1855  the  office  was  moved  to  the  third  story  of  the  Rosenstiel  building,  now 
93  Stephenson  street.  In  1859  Mr.  William  H.  Wagner,  the  present  publisher 
and  editor,  became  foreman  of  the  mechanical  department.  As  an  apprentice, 
he  had  mastered  the  mechanical  part  of  the  newspaper  business. 

The  Anzeiger  waxed  strong  because  it  had  a  hard  fight  for  existence  and 
because  of  the  ability  and  persistence  of  the  Wagners.  The  circulation  increased 
rapidly  and  had  always  been  a  boon  to  the  German  settlers,  who  came  out 
from  the  Fatherland.  Among  these  people  the  paper  has  exercised  a  powerful 
influence  which  it  holds  to  this  day. 

TOWNSHIP  ORGANIZATION— 1859-1860. 

A  different  form  of  county  government  was  established  in  1850.  From  1837. 
the  date  of  the  first  county  organization,  to  1850  the  county  was  governed  by 
three  commissioners.  The  first  commissioners  were  Lemuel  G.  Streator,  Isaac 
Forbes  and  Julius  Smith.  Such  a  system  was  entirely  adequate  in  the  early 
days.  But  with  rapidly  growing  population,  a  different  plan,  better  adapted  to 
present  conditions,  was  to  be  desired. 

The  Constitutional  Convention  of  1848  provided  for  township  organization  in 
case  the  voters  of  the  county  desired  it.  The  Legislature  of  1849  provided  fur- 
ther that  at  the  next  general  election  the  counties  should  vote  on  the  proposition 
of  township  organization.  There  was  some  opposition  in  Stephenson  County  to 
the  proposed  change.  Public  opinion,  however,  was  strongly  in  favor  of  it,  and 
the  opposition  was  too  weak  to  make  much  of  a  contest.  The  result  ofl  the 
election  of  November  5,  1849,  was : 

For  township  government    973 

Against  township  government   99 


Total  votes  cast    1,072 

The  above  vote  indicates  the  result  of  a  one-sided  contest. 

At  the  election  of  1849,  Hon.  George  Purrington  was  elected  county  judge. 
The  county  court  met  in  December,  Judge  Purrington  presiding.  Levi  Robey, 
Robert  Foster  and  Erastus  Torrey  were  appointed  to  mark  off  the  county  into 
townships.  After  considerable  investigation  the  three  commissioners  made  their 
report,  having  provided  for  the  following  townships :  Rock  Grove,  Oneco,  Win- 
slow,  West  Point,  Waddams,  Buck  Eye,  Rock  Run,  Freeport,  Lancaster,  Har- 
lem, Erin,  Loran,  Florence,  Silver  Creek  and  Ridott,  in  all,  fifteen  townships. 
Commissioner  Torrey  desired  to  change  the  name  Harlem  to  Wayne,  but  the 
report  had  been  adopted  and  the  change  was  not  made. 

November  5,  1850,  the  following  men  were  elected  supervisors :  Lancaster, 
Johnathan  Reitzell;  Rock  Run,  C.  G.  Edley;  Rock  Grove,  James  J.  Rogers; 
Oneco,  George  Cadwell ;  Winslow,  Cornelius  Judson ;  Waddams,  Michael  Law- 
ver ;  Buck  Eye,  Montelius ;  West  Point,  Daniel  Wilson ;  Harlem,  William  M. 
Buckley ;  Erin,  John  I.  F.  Harmon ;  Florence,  Conrad  Van  Brocklin ;  Ridott, 
Gustavus  A.  Farwell;  Silver  Creek,  Samuel  McAffee;  Freeport,  E.  S.  Hanchett; 
and  Loran,  Hiram  Hart. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  101 

Three  additional  townships  were  added  later.  In  1856,  March  17,  Kent 
Township  was  formed  by  dividing  Erin.  The  division  of  Erin  aroused  intense 
feeling,  says  an  early  history,  because  the  residents  of  Erin  were  deprived  of 
superior  wood  and  water  advantages.  In  1859  the  citizens  of  the  west  half  of 
Loran  Township  petitioned  for  independent  organization  and  Jefferson  Township 
was  formed  by  the  commissioners,  nl  September,  1860,  Dakota  Township  was 
formed  out  of  the  east  half  of  Buckeye,  because  of  the  infinite  inconvenience 
and  vexation  of  spirit  caused  by  the  residents  being  compelled  to  go  to  a  distant 
place  to  cast  the  ballot. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supevisors,  November  n,  1850,  John 
I.  F.  Harmon  was  elected  chairman.  Hanchett  of  Freeport  was  not  present  and 
failed  to  qualify.  Thereupon,  John  K.  Brewster  was  appointed  supervisor  for 
Freeport  Township. 

FREEPORT  A  TOWN— 1850. 

From  its  settlement  to  1850  Freeport  was  governed  as  a  village.  From  its 
first  settlement  in  1835  by  William  Baker  to  1850,  Freeport  had  grown  slowly  to 
a  population  of  1486.  In  1840  the  village  had  a  population  of  forty-nine.  In  the 
year  1850  there  arose  a  general  desire  to  have  the  old  village  organization  sup- 
planted by  a  town  organization.  During  the  summer  that  year  the  place  was  in- 
corporated as  a  town  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Illinois.  At  the  election 
held  later  in  the  year,  the  following  persons  were  elected  town  trustees :  Thomas 
J.  Turner,  Julius  Smith,  John  K.  Brewster,  John  Rice  and  Joseph  B.  Smith.  The 
town  organization  seems  to  have  satisfied  the  ambitions  of  the  pioneers  of  the 
future  city  till  about  1855,  when  the  town  organization  gave  way  to  city  gov- 
ernment under  the  State  Charter. 

CENSUS  OF  1850. 

December  27,  1850,  Mr.  Oscar  Taylor  published  his  report  of  the  census  in 
the  Journal: 

Freeport    i  ,436 

Buck  Eye    1,271 

Waddams    1,160 

Rock  Run  i,O37 

Erin    886 

Oneco    882 

Lancaster    835' 

Rock  Grove 727 

Loran    654 

Ridott    652 

Silver  Creek  603 

Florence    444 

Harlem    w\ 

Winslow    384 

West    Point    250 

Total  in  County  in  1850  1 1,666 


102  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Total  in  County  in  1845    6,344 

Total  in  County  in  1840 2,869 

The  city  of  Galena  in  1850  had  a  population  of  5,  986,  and  Jo  Daviess  County 

18,466. 

The  census  of  1850  showed  that  the  n,666  inhabitants  of  Stephenson  County 

were  born  in : 

Pennsylvania    3,360 

Illinois   2,826 

New   York    1,485 

Ohio  981 

Vermont    263 

Indiana    177 

Virginia    ,. 1 1 1 

Massachusetts    103 

Connecticut    83 

New  Hampshire 68 

Kentucky    68 

Wisconsin    ' 63 

Maryland  57 

Michigan    54 

New   Jersey    ' 47 

Tennessee    25 

Rhode  Island   24 

North   Carolina    19 

Iowa 15 

Maine    10 

Delaware 6 

South  Carolina 5 

Missouri    4 

Georgia    2 

Alabama  I 


Total 9,827 

Germany    821 

Ireland 409 

Canada 320 

England  206 

Norway    37 

France    23 

Scotland 9 

Nova  Scotia  5 

New  Brunswick  3 

Wales  3 

Switzerland  i 

Brazil   i 

West  Indies  .                             '. i 


Total  in  County  1 1 ,666 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  103 


ASIATIC   CHOLERA,    1850-1852. 

The  people  of  Stephenson  County,  and  especially  the  people  of  Freeport, 
suffered  from  an  epidemic  of  Asiatic  Cholera  in  1850.  People  were  unprepared 
to  fight  such  a  plague.  It  made  rapid  inroads  on  the  population  and,  though 
all  common  remedies  and  specifics  were  applied,  the  patient  usually  died.  The 
physicians  were  not  familiar  with  the  disease  and  had  no  experience  in  treat- 
ing it.  The  neighborhood  of  Nevada,  Ridott  Township,  Kirkpatrick's  Mills, 
and  Freeport  suffered  most.  A  traveler  through  the  county  at  the  time  said 
that  there  was  hardly  a  family  on  the  old  state  road  in  which  there  was  not  one 
of  its  members  down  with  cholera,  dying  or  buried. 

But  the  people  stood  loyally  by.  The  sick  were  cared  for  by  physicians, 
and  nurses  and  neighbors  hurriedly  buried  the  dead.  Duty  was  stronger  than 
fear  of  the  dread  disease,  and  a  splendid  heroism  was  manifested  among  the 
people  who  time  and  again  took  their  lives  in  their  hands,  in  caring  for  their 
neighbors.  The  towns  were  practically  abandoned  and  business  was  at  a  stand- 
still. In  1852,  the  plague  returned  and  wrought  great  havoc.  In  1854  it  again 
appeared,  but  was  soon  stamped  out  by  the  physicians  who  had  learned  how 
to  treat  it. 

There  was  practically  a  decrease  in  the  population  of  the  county  from  1850 
to  1852.  Emigrants  went  on  through  or  around  the  county  and  settled  else- 
where. Many  went  back  east  and  others  who  had  prepared  to  come  west 
remained  at  the  old  homes  in  the  east.  It  was  a  hard  blow  and  checked*  for  a 
time,  the  growth  of  the  county. 

The  following  by  Mrs.  Oscar  Taylor  who  lived  through  the  period  gives 
a  better  idea  of  actual  conditions : 

"With  a  sense  of  security  in  the  present  everyone  was  looking  forward  to 
a  time  of  continued  prosperity  when  suddenly,  in  1850,  across  the  sunshine  of 
our  hopes  fell  the  black  shadow  of  the  terrible  visitation  of  cholera,  remembered 
still  with  a  shudder  by  all  who  can  look  back  to  it.  Like  a  thief  in  the  night 
it  came,  striking  first  in  a  house  near  the  head  of  the  creek  crossing  the  town. 
In  a  home  where  five  were  living  the  day  before,  in  the  morning  all  were  dead 
except  an  infant.  The  woman  who  took  this  child,  died  two  days  later.  A 
great  horror  settled  over  the  community.  The  paralysis  of  fear  added  greatly 
to  the  danger  from  the  disease,  and  an  attack  meant  in  most  cases  death.  The 
physicians  were  almost  as  ignorant  of  the  treatment  for  cholera  as  were  the 
citizens.  No  nurses  were  to  be  had  and  the  victims  were  dependent  on  friends 
and  neighbors  for  care.  When  quaking  with  fear  we  were  often  called  upon  to 
minister  to  the  dying,  or  to  prepare  the  dead  for  burial.  And  we  mothers,  as 
we  closed  for  the  last  time  the  eyes  of  some  neighbor's  child,  thought  with 
sickening  dread  of  the  morrow  for  our  own  little  ones.  Not  often  was  there  a 
funeral  service.  The  dead  were  taken  quickly  to  the  cemetery  by  the  old 
sexton,  Giles  Taylor.  As  far  as  business  went  the  week  days  were  like  Sun- 
days and  country  people  were  afraid  to  come  near  the  infected  town.  When 
the  shadow  lifted  with  the  end  of  summer,  one-tenth  of  the  population  of  Free- 
port  had  been  taken  away.  The  experience  was  not  lost  upon  our  physicians, 


104  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

however,  for  when  cholera  came  here  again  in  '54  it  was  much  more  success- 
fully treated." 

Most  of  the  cholera  victims  in  Freeport  were  along  the  creek.  Eighteen 
deaths  occurred  in  one  day  in  Freeport.  Among  the  more  prominent  phy- 
sicians were  Dr.  Chancellor  Martin,  Dr.  L.  A.  Mease,  Dr.  F.  J.  Hazlet,  and  Dr. 
Robert  H.  Van  Valzah. 

Calamities  seldom  come  singly.  It  is  maintained  that  while  the  county  was 
under  the  ban  on  account  of  the  dreadful  result  of  the  cholera,  the  people  suf- 
fered a  renewal  of  thieving  and  rowdyism.  An  old  settler  told  the  following 
story  as  an  illustration :  "A  gentleman  traveling  from  St.  Louis  to  Buffalo, 
via  stage  from  Galena  of  Freeport,  was  taken  ill  with  cholera  at  the  hotel  in 
Freeport.  It  was  quite  well  known  that  the  stranger  had  money  and  he  was 
carefully  watched  by  the  proprietor  of  the  hotel.  One  afternoon  he  walked 
about  the  town  to  regain  his  strength.  That  night  he  had  a  relapse  and  died. 
Examination  of  his  effects  showed  that  $6,000  had  disappeared.  He  was  buried 
in  the  old  cemetery  near  where  Keene's  Canning  Factory  now  stands.  His 
relatives  traced  his  travels  and  years  later  came  to  Freeport  to  remove  the  body, 
but  the  grave  had  not  been  marked  and  the  effort  was  fruitless." 

The  census  of  September,  1853,  by  Giles  L.  Taylor,  for  the  school  directors 
was: 

Males  of  all  ages l,5^9 

Females  of  all  ages 1.359 


Total    2,926 

Children  under  21 1.233 

THE  FORTY-NINERS— THE  GOLD  FEVER. 

In  1849  the  California  gold  fever  struck  Stephenson  County.  It  produced 
the  same  excitement  here  as  elsewhere  and  almost  one  hundred  left  the  county  that 
year  to  cross  the  plains  to  the  gold  fields.  Old  and  young  and  men  of  all  profes- 
sions and  vocations  joined  the  mad  rush  for  immediate  wealth.  Outfits  and  sup- 
plies were  loaded  into  wagons  and  those  drawn  by  horses  and  ox  teams  joined 
the  caravans  from  other  sections,  and  began  the  long  and  tiresome  journey  half 
across  a  continent.  Many  men,  not  over-conservative,  put  all  their  eggs  in  this 
one  basket.  It  was  a  long  chance  at  best,  and  fraught  with  difficulties,  privation 
and  danger.  Some  died  on  the  way.  Others  pressed  on  to  certain  failure.  A 
few  were  fortunate  and  some  became  permanent  settlers  in  the  west,  and  rose 
to  distinction  in  the  farther  west.  One  of  them,  Cameron  Hunt,  became  gov- 
ernor of  Colorado.  Loved  ones  and  friends  at  home  were  compelled  to  wait  long 
for  news,  sometimes  sad.  often  not  reassuring  and  seldom  good.  In  all,  almost 
200  men,  mainly  young  men,  left  the  county  for  the  west.  Men  of  means,  who 
did  not  go,  furnished  outfits,  for  others  in  return  for  an  agreement  to  share  the 
profits.  But  the  gold  fields  were  far  away  and  these  men  seldom  realized  on  the 
investment. 

The  purchase  of  supplies  made  business  in  the  county  good  for  the  time,  but 
the  ultimate  effect  was  bad.  The  county  could  ill  afford  to  spare  at  that  date 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  105 

so  many  vigorous  men.     Smaller  crops  were  cultivated ;  trade  was  slow  and  times 
were  dull. 

Among  the  men  who  went  to  the  gold  fields  were :  John  Walz,  B.  T.  Buckley, 
Charles  Willet,  William  Vore,  John  Kirkpatrick,  Elnus  Baker,  John  Mease,  O. 
Weaver,  J.  W.  Shaffer,  Alfred  Caldwell,  William  Patterson,  Mr.  Shutz,  P.  C. 
Shaffer,  Joseph  Carey,  Charles  Bogar,  S.  B.  Farwell,  Joseph  Quest,  William 
Young,  Robert  Hammond,  Charles  O'Neal,  Horatio  Hunt,  Cameron  Hunt  and 
others. 

49ERS. 

William  Preston,  who  settled  in  the  county  in  1838,  drove  an  ox  team  to  Cali- 
fornia in  1848.  Walking  all  the  way  except  about  250  miles.  He  made  a  stake 
in  California  and  went  by  steamer  to  the  Isthmus  of  Panama.  He  walked  from 
Panama  to  the  River  Chagras,  and  went  by  boat  down  that  river  to  Chagris, 
then  to  Havana,  then  to  New  Orleans  and  up  the  Mississippi  to  Galena,  arriv- 
ing home  by  stage  in  1851. 

The  Journal  of  June  n,  1850,  had  an  able  editorial  on  the  effect  of  the 
Free-trade  Tariff  of  1845.  It  says,  "Furnaces  are  everywhere  closing,  mines 
are  everywhere  being  vacated,  and  the  course  of  things  seems  to  turn  towards 
the  abandonment  of  these  industries.  We  trust  that  Congress  will  speedily  set- 
tle the  slavery  question  and  hasten  to  the  relief  of  the  manufactures,  the  with- 
holding of  which  cannot  much  longer  be  endured." 

In  1851  the  Legislature  passed  an  act  providing  for  a  new  judicial  circuit, 
embracing  the  counties  of  Jo  Daviess,  Stephenson  and  Winnebago. 

About  March  21,  1851,  two  gentlemen  with  a  team  visited  farmers  north  of 
Freeport  and  secured  samples  of  wheat  with  the  evident  idea  of  purchasing. 
While  there  they  passed  counterfeit  bills. 

WHIG  CELEBRATION,  1849. 

March  5,  1849,  tne  whigs  of  Stephenson  County  held  a  celebration  of  the 
election  of  Taylor  and  Fillmore.  Every  part  of  the  county  was  represented. 
"The  day  was  ushered  in  by  a  national  salute  of  30  guns.  John  A.  Clark  was 
president  of  the  day,  and  Hubbard  Graves,  M.  M.  Woodin,  Dr.  Cutler  and  Lorin 
Snow  were  vice  presidents.  Hon.  Martin  Sweet,  was  the  orator  of  the  day. 
After  the  speech  "which  was  of  great  force  and  eloquence  and  charmed  a  de- 
lighted auditory,"  over  100  sat  down  to  a  sumptuous  dinner  at  the  Stephenson 
County  Hotel.  After  dinner,  toasts  were  given  and  letters  read.  Besides  13 
regular  toasts,  23  voluntary  toasts  were  given  among  which  were  those  by 
Charles  Betts,  L.  W.  Guiteau,  Hubbard  Graves,  Oscar  Taylor,  Dr.  Martin, 
M.  P.  Sweet,  E.  H.  Hatchett,  Julius  Smith. 

It  was  a  big  day  for  the  whigs. 

POLITICS. 

In  1849,  tne  whig  county  convention,  according  to  the  Journal,  laid  aside 
party  politics,  and  nominated  the  following  ticket:  For  county  judge,  Major 


106  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

John  Howe;  associate  judges,  Samuel  F.  Dodds  and  Josiah  Clingman;  clerk 
of  county  court,  Hubbard  Graves ;  school  commissioner,  L.  W.  Guiteau ;  sur- 
veyor, Cyrus  Clingman;  treasurer,  Asabel  Rice.  The  democrats  were  success- 
ful and  elected  the  following:  George  Purinton,  judge;  William  Preston,  clerk; 
Johnathan  Reitzell,  treasurer;  school  commissioner,  L.  W.  Guiteau,  whig.  In 
Freeport,  Julius  Smith  and  F.  W.  S.  Brawley  were  elected  justices  and  James 
B.  Barr  and  Frederick  Baker  constables. 

Colonel  Thomas  J.  Turner  was  a  "Wilmot  Proviso"  democrat  in  Congress. 
He  was  once  stigmatised  by  the  southern  leaders  as  one  of  the  "thirteen  fan- 
atics" for  resisting  the  Walker  amendment. 

VARIOUS  ITEMS  OF  INTEREST. 

SOCIAL. 

The  Journal  thus  describes  a  party  held  at  the  Freeport  House,  Monday, 
January  14,  1850: 

"This  was  truly  a  fine  affair — the  arrangements  were  all  in  excellent  taste, 
the  company  large  and  highly  respectable,  and  an  abundance  of  agreeable  ex- 
citement to  render  the  occasion  pleasant  and  interesting.  And  the  music — that 
was  a  little  ahead  of  anything  mortal  ear  has  ever  listened  to  before.  Could 
it  have  been  surpassed?  No  Ole  Bull  could  have  discoursed  sweeter  music 
than  did  the  venerable  Charley  on  that  magic  instrument  of  his,  neither  could 
a  Ned  Kendall  have  immortalized  himself  where  Leonard  is  with  that  post 
horn,  unsurpassed  for  richness  and  sweetness  of  tone.  And  then  there  was 
Gitchell,  the  king  of  players,  sweet,  a  regular  triumph  with  his  clarinet,  and 
last,  though  not  least,  the  juvenile  Dutchman,  with  his  father  of  fiddles.  He  is 
some,  though  we  dare  not  attmept  to  tell  how  much." 

FOURTH    OF   JULY    CELEBRATION    IN    FREEPORT,    185!. 

Freeport  celebrated  the  Fourth  of  July  as  follows  in  1851 : 

"The  procession  followed  a  band  to  a  grove  near  the  public  square.  Wash- 
ington's Monument  was  sung  by  the  choir  in  a  very  beautiful  and  impressive 
style." 

Prayer  by  Chaplain  M.  P.  Sweet. 

Reading  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  by  H.  Bright  in  a  manner  cal- 
culated to  awaken  memories  of  1776. 

An  eloquent,  instructive  and  patriotic  address  by  F.  W.  S.  Brawley,  Esq.: 
the  profound  attention  with  which  it  was  listened  to  is  the  best  testimony  of 
its  excellence;  and  the  repeated  demonstrations  of  applause,  the  best  evidence 
that  the  hearts  of  the  American  people  are  still  susceptible  to  impressions  from 
"thoughts  that  breathe  and  words  that  burn." 

The  Union  Forever,  sung  by  the  choir. 

The  procession  then  marched  to  the  tables  where  a  sumptuous  dinner  was 
spread  by  D.  B.  Packer,  the  host  of  the  Winneshiek  House,  with  the  choicest 
viands  and  the  luxuries  of  the  season. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  107 

The  following  regular  toasts  were  then  offered  by  the  toast  committee  con- 
sisting of  John  A.  Clark,  J.  D.  Turner  and  Charles  Powell: 

1.  The  31  stars  of  our  glorious  Constitution — may  they  forever  move  in 
harmony  around  one  common  center.  • 

2.  The  heroes  of  the  Revolution — the  heritage  of  their  graves  can  not  be 
divided. 

3.  The  memory  of  George  Washington. 

4.  The  President  of  the  United  States. 

5.  The  Governor  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 

6.  The  Army  and  the  Navy  of  the  United  States. 

7.  The  Heroes  of  the  Mexican  War — we  delight  to  honor  them. 

8.  The  Constitution  and  the  Union. 

9.  Freeport,  the  city  of  the  seven  hills may  she,  like  Rome,  her  great 

prototype — be  eternal. 

10.  The  ladies — we  are  their  servants. 
Several  voluntary  toasts  were  given. 

President  of  the  day,  Julius  Smith ;  secretary,  T.  E.  Champion." 

AGRICULTURAL    MEETING. 

A  Stephenson  County  agriculture  society  was  organized  in  Freeport,  Feb- 
ruary 23,  1854.  Over  150  farmers  were  present.  All  sections  of  the  county 
were  represented  except  Rock  Grove  and  Winslow.  The  following  were 
elected  officials:  President,  O.  W.  Brewster;  vice  president,  Luman  Montague; 
secretary,  John  A.  Davis ;  treasurer,  Wm.  M.  Buckley ;  corresponding  secre- 
tary, Wm.  Preston. 

March  13,  1854,  a  Freeport  public  meeting  indorsed  the  movement  for  an 
Illinois  industrial  university  and  recommended  Professor  J.  B.  Turner  of  Jack- 
sonville as  the  first  state  superintendent  of  schools  of  Illinois. 

MEETING  OF   SOLDIERS  OF  WAR  OF    l8l2. 

May  3,  1854,  the  veterans  of  the  War  of  1812  held  a  meeting  at  the  court- 
house in  Freeport.  The  meeting  was  addressed  by  T.  F.  Goodhue,  Wm.  Baker, 
and  David  Niles.  Resolutions  were  passed  asking  for  pensions  in  cash,  instead 
of  land.  The  following  old  soldiers  were  present :  David  Niles,  Joseph  Norris, 
James  Van  Velt,  Marcus  Carpenter,  Jacob  Klontz,  Abraham  Cole,  Jacob  Mor- 
ris, Ira  H.  Sturtevant,  George  McCoy,  William  Baker,  E.  H.  Shumway,  John 
Malone,  Geo.  Lattig,  Jos.  Van  Meter,  Mary  Walter  (widow  of  Aaron  Walter), 
Josiah  Smith,  Henry  Shepherd  and  Thomas  Matteson. 

David  Niles  was  chairman  and  Henry  Shepherd  secretary. 

TEMPERANCE    IN     1854. 

One  of  the  organizations  of  Freeport  in  1854  was  the  Maine  Law  Alli- 
ance. The  purpose  of  this  organization  was  to  secure  law  enforcement  and  to 
elevate  the  moral  standing  of  the  city.  The  Freeport  Journal,  January  12,  1854, 


108  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

said,  "The  organization  of  the  Maine  Law  Alliance  we  regard  as  one  of  the 
best  movements  on  the  part  of  the  friends  of  temperance,  and  the  enemies  of 
the  liquor  traffic,  that  has  ever  been  made  in  our  community.  It  has  instilled 
new  life  and  energy  into  the  hearts  of  those  who  for  years  have  been  offering 
but  a  feeble  resistance  to  the  frightful  and  rapid  advance  of  this  destructive 
vice.  That  there  is  an  urgent  necessity  for  such  an  organization,  few  can  doubt 
when  they  contemplate  the  unexampled  wretchedness  and  misery  the  liquor 
traffic  produces ;  the  demoralization  that  inseparably  attends  it,  resulting  in 
the  increase  of  our  poor  and  county  taxes,  the  spread  of  crime  and  debauch- 
ery, and  the  death  of  its  innumerable  victims.  We  hail  the  Alliance,  believing 
that  it  will  have  a  tendency  to  check  and  ultimately  abolish  this  evil  from  our 
midst." 

January  5,  1854,  the  Journal  had  a  24  column  editorial  on  "Home  Manu- 
factures," in  part  as  follows:  "The  remark  is  sometimes  made  that  Freeport 
is  not  a  manufacturing  town,  but  we  are  certain  that  one  branch  thrives  wonder- 
fully among  us.  We  mean  the  manufacture  of  drunkards  and  gamblers.  A 
license  can  be  got  to  sell  liquor  for  $50.  A  room  with  screens,  gaudy  painted 
window  curtains,  lascivious  pictures,  and  a  bar  set  out  with  rows  of  glittering 
bottles  and  tumblers,  gives  the  front  view.  A  little  whiskey  and  some  papers 
of  logwood  and  other  healthy  drugs,  make  brandy,  wine,  gin,  rum,  of  the 
best  quality.  Behind,  is  the  gambling  room.  The  raw  material  are  young  and 
innocent  boys.  At  first  the  novice  is  shy.  He  will  take  a  cigar,  then  a  dish 
of  oysters  with  some  ale,  next  joins  a  game  of  euchre  to  see  wno  treats,  and 
becomes  familiar  with  the  tainted  moral  air  of  the  place.  Every  step  of  his 
downward  course  is  encouraged  by  the  men  who  profit  by  his  ruin.  A  young 
man  in  Freeport  is  in  peril.  The  fact  is,  it  is  safer  here  to  destroy  a  young 
man's  soul,  than  it  is  in  Rockford  to  kill  his  body. 

We  should  have  a  reading  room  for  the  boys,  a  lecture  course.  Yes,  it  will 
take  money,  but  is  money  the  God  for  which  we  are  made.  You  men  of  busi- 
ness may  hoard  up  your  money,  now,  but  the  day  will  come  when,  if  it  is 
locked  up  against  such  uses,  it  will  eat  like  a  canker  of  your  happiness." 

Freeport  had  a  2/3  majority  vs.  saloons  in  the  spring  of  1855. 

A  city  ordinance  was  passed  prohibiting  retailing  liquors  and  permitting  only 
gallon  sales.  The  Journal  urged  the  enforcement  of  the  law,  but  the  attempt 
was  abandoned. 

REAL    ESTATE. 

A  boosting  pamphlet  on  Freeport  issued  in  1857,  in  speaking  of  the  advan- 
tages of  northern  Illinois,  says :  "As  the  traveler  comes  west  from  Chicago, 
he  will  find  but  little  that  is  inviting  until  he  approaches  Elgin  on  the  Fox 
River.  When  he  approaches  Marengo  and  is  conveyed  through  the  center  of 
Garden  Prairie,  he  begins  to  see  some  of  the  loveliest  portions  of  the  western 
country  and  as  he  passes  through  the  flourishing  town  of  Belvidere,  his  admira- 
tion for  the  prairie  land  will  be  in  no  wise  diminished.  The  face  of  the  country 
is  a  little  more  uneven,  and  the  soil  is  allowed  to  be  richer  between  the  Rock 
River  and  the  Mississippi.  Throughout  Stephenson  County  the  land  is  suffi- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  109 

ciently  rolling  to  make  the  prospect  diversified  without  being  detrimental  to 
agriculture.  The  soil  is  so  rich  that  few  farmers  have  begun  to  think  of  ro- 
tating their  crops. 

Land  as  fertile  as  any  in  existence  can  be  bought  for  $12  to  $25  an  acre,  and 
in  an  ordinary  season  will  produce  almost  enough  to  pay  for  its  cost.  The 
truth  is,  that  aside  from  the  difference  in  cost  of  transportation  of  its  crops, 
an  acre  of  land  in  Stephenson  County  (1857)  is  worth  just  as  much  as  an  acre 
of  land  "away  down  east."  The  eastern  farmer  who  will  canvass  this  matter 
thoroughly,  can  not  resist  this  conclustion,  and  he  who  sells  his  farm  at  the  east 
and  comes  among  us  and  buys  three  acres  for  one  and  finds  himself  to  all  in- 
tents and  purposes  (excepting  in  the  lack  of  fruit,  which,  however,  will  soon 
grow  and  is  now  growing)  as  well  located  as  regards  the  comforts  of  civilized 
society,  will  act  the  part  of  wisdom.  We  have  schools  and  churches,  as  good 
as  can  be  found  in  the  east,  and  we  are  as  much  "down  east"  so  far  as  all 
such  privileges  are  concerned  as  are  our  friends  to  whose  good  sense  we  are 
now  appealing.  Think  of  it,  and  come  and  give  the  county  a  visit.  Take  a  look 
at  our  beautiful  prairies  and  handsome  groves,  view  our  busy  and  crowded 
young  city,  the  pride  of  our  county,  and  we  will  venture  that  you  will  think 
as  we  think.  There  never  was  a  more  favorable  time  to  purchase  than  now. 
Many  of  that  class  who  always  try  to  keep  just  ahead  of  the  march  of  civiliza- 
tion and  improvements,  are  selling  and  going  to  Kansas.  Good  farms  can  be 
had  at  fair  rates  and  farms  within  two  miles  of  the  city  can  be  bought  for  less 
money  than  is  asked  for  unimproved  land  lying  near  paper  towns  in  Kansas 
and  Nebraska.  There  is  no  more  favorable  town  for  real  estate  investment 
than  Freeport — no  place  of  its  character  and  prosperity  where  homesteads  can 
be  obtained  on  better  terms." 

In  the  history  of  Freeport  of  1857,  by  Boss  and  Burrows,  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral Railroad  has  a  two  page  spread  advertisement,  offering  for  sale  1,500,000 
acres  of  choice  farm  lands,  at  $6  to  $30  per  acre,  and  up,  on  long  credits  and 
low  rates  of  interest.  A  vivid  description  of  Illinois  from  Cairo  to  Galena  is 
given,  picturing  in  brilliant  colors  the  resources  of  the  state,  the  fertile  soil,, 
stone,  coal,  lead  and  timber.  They  asked  3%  interest  and  gave  20%  discount 
for  cash. 

The  Yankee  real  estate  man  of  that  early  day  was  busy.  He  sold  corner 
lots  in  paper  towns,  and  many  were  the  victims  of  his  wiles.  A  story  printed 
in  a  magazine  in  1839  illustrates  a  characteristic  of  the  period.  As  the  story 
goes:  "Major  Wilkey  of  Mooseboro,  Vermont,  traded  his  New  England  farm 
for  the  land  and  town  of  Edensburg,  Illinois.  The  real  estate  man  gave  Mr. 
Wilkey  a  beautiful  colored  plat  of  the  city  of  Edensburg,  with  Broadway,  Com- 
mercial Street,  College  Street,  the  public  squares,  parks,  etc.,  etc.,  all  located. 
The  plot  showed  300  acres  that  would  produce  400  bushels  to  the  acre.  The 
credulous  major  drove  in  a  wagon  with  his  family  across  New  York,  over  the 
mountains,  across  the  great  endless  Mississippi  Valley,  building  air  castles 
broader  and  higher  as  he  approached  his  own  town  of  Edensburg.  Finally, 
worn  out  and  exhausted,  he  found  Edensburg  to  be  an  uninhabitable  swamp. 
The  city  and  the  major's  dream  vanished.  Hardships  unnerved  him  and  he 
returned  to  the  east  with  a  broken  down  wagon,  a  broken  winded  horse,  a 


110  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

broken  hearted   wife,   a  broken  legged   dog,   a   broken   down  constitution,  and 
three  sons,  Johnathan,  Jerry  and  Joe  shaking  with  the  ague." 

BUSINESS — 1857. 

The  De  Armit  Plow  Co.  was  well  established  in  Freeport  in  1857  and  doing 
a  large  business.  The  company  employed  12  men  and  for  power  had  installed 
a  14  horse  power  steam  engine.  The  year  1856-7  De  Armit  manufactured  300 
stirring  plows,  50  corn  plows,  300  breaking  plows,  50  shovel  plows,  a  few  drags 
and  cultivators.  He  also  did  a  turning  lathe  business  and  his  total  output  ex- 
ceeded $10,000  worth  of  business.  The  Boss  &  Burrough's  booklet  (1857) 
says  that  this  was  very  gratifying  because  it  shows  that  Freeport  can  sustain 
home  industries. 

The  F.  B.  Williams  Threshing  Machine  Company  began  in  1851  and  em- 
ployed ten  men  in  1857.  In  1856  the  Company  made  and  sold  ten  threshing 
machines  at  about  $1,000  apiece.  The  company  made  the  Fowlersville  thresher. 

THE    MANNY    REAPER    COMPANY. 

Pells  Manny  was  a  pioneer  manufacturer  of  Stehphenson  County.  His  work 
and  fame  and  the  services  of  his  inventive  genius  was  too  great  to  be  confined  to 
one  county,  and  the  world  over  his  name  stands  far  towards  the  head  of  the  list 
of  early  inventors  and  manufacturers  of  reapers. 

It  is  said  that  he  got  his  idea  of  the  Manny  reaper  from  reading  a  descrip- 
tion of  a  machine  used  by  the  Gauls  over  350  years  ago.  His  first  machine  was 
one  which  cut  off  the  heads  of  the  grain.  After  much  experimenting,  he  pro- 
duced the  Manny  reaper  which  soon  supplanted  the  header.  The  new  inven- 
tion struck  the  rocky  roads  encountered  by  most  inventions.  It  required  time 
and  labor  and  over  $20,000  to  perfect  the  machine  so  that  it  would  work  suc- 
cessfully. This  was  accomplished  in  1852  and  in  1853.  Mr.  Manny's  son,  J. 
N.  Manny,  began  the  manufacture  of  reapers  in  Rockford.  In  1856  the  Mannys 
established  a  factory  in  Freeport.  The  company  found  a  great  demand  for 
its  product  and  the  annual  output  soon  rose  to  several  thousands.  In  1857  the 
Freeport  factory  run  by  Mr.  Manny  manufactured  reapers,  hay  presses,  and  the 
Manny  Subsoil  Plow.  The  Freeport  booklet  (Boss  &  Burrough's)  1857,  says 
that  the  Manny  Company  had  enough  orders  ahead  that  year  to  make  it  neces- 
sary to  employ  from  250  to  400  men.  It  was  believed  that  this  company  alone 
would  increase  the  population  of  Freeport  1,200  to  2,000. 

Jacob  Walkey  in  1853  established  a  planing  mill  and  furniture  factory  on 
Chicago  Street.  In  1857  he  was  doing  a  big  business  and  employing  a  large 
number  of  men.  He  used  a  thirty  horse  power  steam  engine  to  run  his  ma- 
chinery. His  building  was  a  two  story,  with  60  feet  frontage.  He  had  two 
planing  machines,  scroll  saw,  four  turning  lathes,  boring  and  mortising  ma- 
chines. In  the  Exchange  Block  on  Stephenson  Street  he  had  a  furniture  sales 
room,  "One  of  the  most  creditable  features  of  Freeport"  in  1857,  and  "does 
a  $37,000  annual  business." 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  111 

The  Halderman  &  Company  Steam  Flour  Mill  started  August,  1856.  The 
company  has  three  run  of  stone  and  can  grind  30,000  barrels  a  year.  In  1857 
J.  B.  Hazen's  Iron  Foundry  was  "doing  quite  a  business  in  sleigh  shoes  and  iron 
kettles.  In  1856,  J.  Riegard's  Flouring  Mill,  which  did  mostly  a  custom  busi- 
ness, put  in  a  steam  engine.  He  had  three  run  of  stone  running  night  and  day, 
and  has  a  capacity  of  392  bushels  per  day. 

In  1857  Benjamin  Goddard's  Saw  Mill  had  one  upright  and  one  buzz  saw. 
The  company  did  a  business  of  about  2,000  feet  a  day  on  the  upright.  Four 
men  were  employed,  and  the  mill  "did  a  business  of  from  $35,000  to  $50,000  a 
year." 

In  1857  B.  Rhode's  soap  and  candle  factory  on  the  Galena  road  did  a  busi- 
ness of  $8,000  to  $10,000  annually.  Stiles  was  doing  "an  extensive  business  at 
the  fanning  mill  factory  in  1857.  Brown  &  Trowbridge  were  grinding  corn 
for  export.  Washburn  and  Randall's  stone  cutting  and  marble  works  were  do- 
ing a  good  business.  In  1856  the  Freeport  Mfg.  Co.  completed  a  new  brick 
building  on  Liberty  Street,  three  stories  high,  160x60,  and  with  room  for  500 
workmen.  The  engine  room  was  a  wing  60x30,  and  contained  an  80  horse 
power  $6,000  engine  to  drive  the  machinery.  The  building  was  occupied  by 
the  Manny  Reaper  Company  and  the  Williams  Threshing  Machine  Company. 

HARD  TIMES  IN    1857. 

Panics,  like  comets,  seem  to  return  at  more  or  less  regular  intervals. 

The  history  of  the  United  States  shows  that  Stephenson  County,  with  its 
first  permanent  settlement  in  1833,  was  s^  m  'ts  infancy  when  the  panic  of 
1837  struck  it.  There  were  men  here,  however,  who  well  remembered  the  panic 
of  1818  to  1819  which  followed  the  reorganization  of  the  National  Bank  of 
1816.  There  may  have  been  men  whose  memories  reached  back  to  the  panic 
of  1783  to  1788.  The  first  panic  in  America,  that  of  1783,  followed  the  close 
of  the  Revolution  and  the  breakdown  of  the  continental  currency  and  state 
paper  money.  "Rag"  money  had  had  its  day.  Inflation  of  the  currency,  the 
boon  of  high  prices,  speculation  and  wildcat  banking  brought  the  inevitable 
train  of  ruin.  Out  of  this  chaos  and  ruin  came  order  and  stability  in  1791, 
through  the  financial  genius  of  Alexander  Hamilton.  But  when  the  National 
Bank's  charter  expired  in  1811,  the  experimenters  refused  to  charter  it.  Then 
followed  another  reign  of  "Rag"  money,  wildcat  banking  by  states  and  individ- 
uals, followed  by  speculation,  fictitious  values  and  the  inevitable  crash.  The 
National  Bank  was  re-chartered  in  1816  and  a  return  to  specie  payments  and 
sound  finance  was  accompanied  by  sheriff's  sales  and  the  panic  of  1816  to  1819. 
These  two  lessons  were  not  well  learned.  The  bank  was  not  re-chartered  in  1836, 
owing  to  President  Jackson's  mania  for  tinkering  with  the  national  finances. 
The  result  was  the  same  as  in  1783  and  1816 — "rag  money,"  irresponsible  state 
and  corporation  banking,  speculation  on  fictitious  values,  high  prices  and  ex- 
travagant living,  followed  by  inevitable  redemption  and  resumption  of  specie 
payments,  scarcity  of  hard  money,  sheriff's  sales,  low  prices,  low  wages,  poor 
markets  and  a  mass  of  unemployed  men.  This  panic  of  1837  affected  Stephen- 
son  County  indirectly  more  than  directly.  It  held  back  the  tide  of  westward 


112  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

immigration  and  expansion.  Then  came  the  panic  of  1857,  which  affected  the 
county  more  directly.  In  about  twenty  years  followed  the  panic  of  1873,  and 
then  the  panic  of  1893,  and  the  so-called  "Banker's"  panic  of  1907  which 
seemed  to  be  ahead  of  the  20  year  schedule.  According  to  schedule  the  next  big 
panic  will  be  due  about  1913  to  1916.  It  may  be  hoped  that  the  flurry  of  1907 
will  satisfy  the  demand  for  panics.  That,  however,  may  well  be  doubted,  for 
history  is  likely  to  repeat  with  a  thoroughgoing  panic  before  1920.  Judging 
from  the  past,  this  is  to  be  expected,  and  can  be  averted  only  by  some  such 
financial  student  as  the  great  Hamilton,  who  will  base  a  financial  and  economic 
system  on  real  values.  As  yet  the  man  has  not  appeared,  and  there  is  no  assur- 
ance of  a  system  sound  enough  to  withstand  the  popular  tendency  towards 
speculation,  overreaching  credit  (a  new  form  of  "rag"  money)  and  the  manip- 
ulation of  stock  gamblers. 

The  effect  of  the  panic  of  1857  was  direct  and  real.  Immigration  slacked, 
hard  money  was  scarce,  loans  were  withheld,  interest  was  high,  markets  were, 
slow,  trade  declined,  business  and  industry  came  to  a  standstill,  and  laborers 
were  thrown  out  of  employment.  Land  values  declined  and  lots  and  farms  were 
a  drug  on  the  market.  There  was  no  money  to  move  the  crops  and  farmers, 
in  many  cases  discouraged  because  of  lack  of  a  market,  let  much  of  their  lands 
lie  idle.  Merchants  bought  but  little  new  stock,  right  glad  to  avoid  bankruptcy 
on  stocks  in  store.  All  over  the  country,  banks,  corporations  and  individuals 
failed,  the  doors  were  closed  and  business  men  who  had  lived  in  high  hopes  of 
prosperity  went  into  bankruptcy. 

When  the  panic  struck  Stephenson  County  in  1857  Freeport  had  forty-eight 
dry  goods  and  grocery  stores,  ten  clothing  stores,  five  drug  stores,  four  furni- 
ture establishments,  five  saddle  and  harness  shops,  two  book  stores,  three  banks, 
two  confectioneries,  four  hardware  stores,  five  bakeries,  two  gun  shops,  four 
jewelry  stores,  four  meat  markets,  one  hat  store,  seven  boot  and  shoe  stores, 
two  cigar  and  tobacco  stores,  two  paint  and  oil  stores,  twelve  hotels,  three  sa- 
loons, six  millinery  stores,  five  agricultural  implement  stores,  two  daguerreau 
galleries,  one  brass  foundry,  nine  jobbing  houses,  one  sash  and  blind  factory 
and  three  auction  and  commission  rooms.  There  were  also  several  manufac- 
turing establishments,  among  which  were  the  Manny  Reaper  Works,  the  Wil- 
liams Threshing  Company,  De  Armit's  Plow  Company  and  Stiles  and  Grif- 
fith's Fanning  Mill  Factory.  There  were  also  three  weekly  and  one  daily  news- 
papers. The  daily  had  a  short  life.  In  a  business  and  industrial  way,  Freeport 
was  making  rapid  progress  and  just  at  the  time  when  it  seemed  that  the  city's 
development  might  move  along  by  leaps  and  bounds,  the  panic  dampened  the 
ardor  of  enthusiasts.  Money  became  tighter  than  ever  and  business  and  in- 
dustry practically  came  to  a  standstill. 

There  was  little  recovery  from  this  condition  till  about  1862  and  1863,  when 
the  demands  of  Civil  War  revived  a  lagging  business.  The  high  tide  of  pros- 
perity came  again,  only  to  see  the  nation,  its  lessons  unlearned,  march  right  up 
to  the  financial  chasm  of  1873. 

With  the  arrival  of  two  railroads,  Freeport  began  a  rapid  and  steady  growth. 
In  1855  Judge  Farwell  put  up  a  building  on  the  south  side  of  the  square.  Build- 
ings were  built  by  Martin  &  Karcher  on  Stephenson  Street;  by  Mitchel  & 


AN  OLD  CEMETERY 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  113 

Putnam,  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Chicago ;  a  block  by  E.  H.  Hyde,  three  stories 
high,  the  third  floor  being  a  public  hall.  The  Hyde  Block  is  believed  to  have 
been  the  first  building  in  Freeport  heated  by  steam  and  lighted  by  gas.  This  was 
old  Plymouth  Hall  on  the  site  of  the  Wilcoxen  Block.  The  Exchange  Block, 
by  Hoebel  &  Engle  &  Strohm  was  built  in  1855-1856. 

The  great  want  in  1855  was  hotel  facilities.  The  city  had  outgrown  the 
hotels  of  the  day.  In  March,  1855,  John  K.  Brewster  decided  to  build  a  hotel 
at  the  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Mechanic  Streets.  The  foundation  was  laid 
in  1855.  December  4,  1856,  the  Brewster  Hotel  was  inclosed  and  on  Tuesday, 
August  27,  1857,  the  hotel  was  formally  opened,  and  the  register  showed  the 
names  of  29  guests.  September  2  was  the  date  of  the  opening.  Celebrations 
and  addresses  were  made  by  Hon.  Martin  P.  Sweet,  Rev.  Dr.  Sunderland  and 
others.  Music  was  furnished  by  the  Great  Western  Band.  It  was  a  joyous 
day  in  Freeport.  The  building  had  a  60  foot  front  and  was  four  stories  high. 
The  original  cost  was  $75,000.  In  1856,  J.  B.  Childs  built  four  buildings  on 
Stephenson  Street  between  Chicago  and  Mechanic.  J.  P.  Spitler  put  up  a  three 
story  building  on  Chicago,  between  Galena  and  Stephenson  Streets. 

The  period  of  1855  of  1860  was  one  in  which  Freeport  took  on  the  appearance 
of  a  city  because  of  extensive  building. 

CRIMINAL    RECORDS. 

The  Crossen  murder  at  Craine's  Grove  occurred  Sunday,  March  23,  1856. 
Crossen,  who  was  drunk,  beat  his  wife  to  death.  When  arrested  he  plead 
guilty  but  denied  any  intention  of  killing  his  wife  as  he  said  he  had  beaten  her 
worse  than  that  many  times  and  she  had  not  died. 

Peter  Arnd,  a  German,  with  his  wife  and  four  children  settled  about  five 
miles  north  of  Cedarville  in  1859.  July  26,  1859,  he  left  his  work  because  he  had 
hurt  his  hand  and  his  wife  went  to  the  field  and  did  his  work.  At  noon  she 
got  dinner  and  returned  to  the  field.  In  the  evening,  accompanied  by  another 
woman,  she  returned  home.  As  she  neared  the  house,  she  saw  her  husband 
with  an  axe  in  his  hand,  staring  at  the  bloody  bodies  of  the  four  children  whom 
he  had  slain  with  the  ax.  Arnd  was  arrested  and  died  of  softening  of  the  brain 
caused  by  sunstroke. 

June  7,  1859,  a  man  named  Lauth  stabbed  a  William  Lander,  a  German, 
causing  instant  death.  Lander,  known  as  "Butcher  Bill,"  was  insisting  that 
Lauth  pay  him  what  he  owed  him.  Lauth  refused  and  with  a  butcher  knife 
stabbed  Lander  through  the  heart.  Lauth  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for 
a  term  of  eight  years.  August  8,  1864,  a  soldier  by  the  name  of  Walton,  in  the 
three  months'  service  shot  and  killed  Mrs.  George  Whitney,  wife  of  another 
soldier,  opposite  the  Stephenson  House  in  Freeport.  Both  had  been  drinking. 
Walton  was  acquitted  on  a  plea  of  insanity. 

In  1869,  Henry  Schmidtz,  a  peddler  and  a  former  resident  of  Freeport,  was 
found  murdered  in  a  slough  in  Lancaster  Township.  Suspicion  pointed  towards 
an  assistant,  but  the  coraner's  jury  made  no  indictment. 

June  7,  1872,  John  L.  Thompson  shot  and  killed  Frank  Wood  at  the  Kraft 
House.  Both  were  drinking  and  were  quarreling  over  two  women  of  bad 


114  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

character.  Wood  struck  Thompson  and  the  latter  shot  him.  He  was  sen- 
tenced to  one  year  in  the  state  prison. 

In  1874,  the  county  was  stirred  by  the  defalcation  of  George  Thompson,  ex- 
county  clerk.  Thompson,  by  forging  numerous  county  orders,  had  swindled 
the  people  out  of  about  $5,000.  Most  of  the  loss  fell  to  Knowlton  &  Sons, 
the  Second  National  Bank,  Joseph  Emmert,  the  First  National  Bank,  and  James 
Mitchell  &  Co.  Thompson  escaped  to  Canada  and  California,  but  returned  to 
Freeport,  pleaded  guilty  in  1878,  and  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary.  He  was 
pardoned  after  two  years  service  and  returned  to  California. 

A.  W.  Hall,  clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  defaulted,  and  cost  the  county  $1,184 
and  his  bondsmen  $2,000.  He  carried  the  case  to  the  supreme  court  and  losing, 
left  the  county. 

FREEPORT    GETS   CITY    CHARTER 1855. 

In  1855  there  was  a  general  sentiment  for  more  efficient  government  of  Free- 
port.  It  was  believed  that  the  place  had  outgrown  the  old  town  organization. 
The  advisability  of  a  change  to  a  city  charter  was  argued  pro  and  con  for 
months.  The  more  progressive  were  insistent  on  the  change.  These  men  were 
not  only  anxious  for  a  change  because  of  present  demands  but  were  men  who 
were  looking  far  into  the  future.  They  argued  that  the  prospects  of  the  town 
were  good,  that  its  location  was  sure  to  draw  to  it  an  ever  growing  population, 
and  that  with  the  general  expansion  sure  to  follow  the  railroad's  advent  in  the 
county  would  be  better  secured  under  a  city  form  of  government.  The  very 
fact  that  it  was  a  "city"  would  be  a  good  advertising  point,  and  would  attract 
both  population  and  industries.  Public  meetings  were  held  and  speeches  were 
made  by  such  men  as  D.  A.  Knowlton,  O.  H.  Wright,  Judge  Farwell,  A.  T. 
Green,  C.  S.  Bogg,  Charles  Betts,  J.  C.  Kean,  Judge  Purrington  and  others. 
Business  and  industries  were  rapidly  developing  and  it  was  realized  that  in  order 
to  hold  its  place  with  other  localities  in  the  west,  its  rivals  in  the  race  for  new 
citizens  and  new  industries,  there  must  be  established  a  more  efficient  govern- 
ment. Many  of  the  evils  and  vices  too  common  in  early  western  towns  had 
retained  and  some  of  these  must  be  eliminated  and  others  put  under  more  vig- 
orous control.  It  was  the  same  old  question  of  better  laws  and  a  more  vig- 
orous law  enforcement.  To  meet  these  demands  it  was  believed  a  different 
form  of  government,  with  increased  powers,  was  necessary.  Such  additional 
powers,  it  was  argued,  could  be  secured  only  from  the  State  Legislature  in  the 
form  of  a  city  charter. 

There  were  citizens,  however,  who  held  that  such  a  change  was  unneces- 
sary. They  believed  that  the  town  trustees  were  able  to  meet  the  demands  for 
some  time  to  come.  There  was  some  fear  that  the  new  system  proposed  would 
bring  additional  burdens  in  the  form  of  taxation.  Opposed  to  the  plan  was 
the  usual  reactionary  element  always  to  be  found  against  any  progressive  move- 
ment. They  argued  that  drunkenness,  gambling  and  disorder  could  be  sup- 
pressed or  controlled  by  the  town  trustees  who  had  the  right  to  have  ample 
power  to  organize  and  maintain  an  efficient  police  force  and  fire  department. 
But  the  progressive  element  won  out,  as  it  always  must,  sooner  or  later. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  115 

A  petition  was  presented  to  the  State  Legislature  and  a  charter  was  granted 
in  1855.  On  April  2,  1855,  an  election  was  held  and  the  following  city  officers 
were  elected:  Mayor,  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner;  treasurer,  E.  W.  Salisbury; 
clerk,  H.  N.  Hibbard;  marshall,  W.  W.  Smith. 

The  board  of  aldermen  consisted  of  the  following:  John  A.  Clark,  W.  G. 
Waddell,  Jos.  B.  Smith,  John  Barfoot,  A.  Cameron  Hunt,  John  P.  Byerley. 

With  this  organization  Freeport  began  its  career  as  a  city.  It  marked  the 
beginning  of  a  distinct  period  of  progress  which  was  soon  to  be  interrupted  by 
the  Civil  War.  Under  the  city  charter,  new  and  greater  enterprises  were 
launched  and  pushed  to  a  successful  conclusion,  and  Freeport  soon  became  one 
of  the  most  prosperous  points  west  of  Chicago. 

BIG  FREMONT  MEETING 1856. 

October  16,  1856,  Freeport  was  the  scene  of  a  great  mass  meeting  of  the  fol- 
lowers of  John  C.  Fremont.  The  Daily  Journal  of  October"  17,  says  in  head 
lines,  "Grand  Republican  Mass  Convention ;  from  thirty  to  fifty  thousand  Free- 
men in  Council ;  Procession  5  to  7  miles  long."  The  Journal  says :  "Yesterday 
was  a  proud  day  in  the  history  of  northern  Illinois  and  southern  Wisconsin. 
About  10  o'clock  the  cars  came  in  from  Galena,  and  the  crowd  lead  by  "OUR" 
band  and  the  Warren  band  marched  up  Stephenson  Street.  Delegations  came 
in  from  all  points  of  the  compass  with  a  profusion  of  banners  and  devices  and 
many  with  glee  clubs  and  bands.  The  streets  were  crowded  with  teams  and 
the  sidewalks  were  crowded  with  a  moving  mass  of  humanity.  The  main  pro- 
cession commenced  moving  about  eleven  o'clock  from  the  Pennsylvania  House 
under  the  charge  of  Holden  Putnam  the  marshall  of  the  day.  After  parading 
the  principal  streets,  the  parade  headed  for  the  fair  grounds.  The  Carroll  County 
delegation,  consisting  of  120  wagons,  arrived  at  12:15.  In  the  procession  there 
were  488  wagons,  of  which  a  large  number  were  4  horse  and  6  horse.  The  pro- 
cession was  variously  estimated  at  5  to  7  miles  in  length. 

The  speakers  stand  had  been  erected  at  the  head  of  Chicago  Street,  on  the 
rolling  place  just  west  of  Judge  Purinton's  place.  About  the  stands  was  a  sea 
of  heads  above  which  were  waving  banners  and  devices,  presenting  a  scene  long 
to  be  remembered,  and  one  which  filled  the  hearts  of  all  lovers  of  freedom  and 
human  rights  with  joy  and  fresh  courage." 

At  one  o'clock  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner  was  elected  president.  There  were 
about  20  vice  presidents  and  6  secretaries.  The  crowd  was  so  large  that  three 
orators  spoke  simultaneously :  Hon.  David  Moogle,  of  Wisconsin,  at  the  main 
stand.  To  the  right  was  S.  A.  Hulbert  of  Belvidere,  to  the  left  Hon.  E.  B.  Wash- 
burn.  Mr.  N.  P.  Banks  also  spoke  and  according  to  the  Journal  it  "was  one  of 
the  most  eloquent  speeches  to  which  we  ever  listened.  Hon.  E.  B.  Washburn  made 
part  of  his  addresses  to  the  Germans  in  their  own  language.  "The  Galena  Turn- 
ers were  here  in  a  body.  They  were  joined  by  the  Freeport  Turners  and  made 
a  fine  appearance.  A  company  of  cavalry,  made  up  of  two  or  three  hundred 
young  republicans,  lead  the  parade.  A  large  delegation  came  from  Lee  County 
on  the  train.  The  good  order  of  the  day  was  remarked  by  all.  No  drunken 


116  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

men  were  seen  staggering  about  the  streets  and  there  was  no  rowdyism.     It  was 
a  glorious  demonstration." 

In  the  evening  a  mass  meeting  was  held  at  the  courthouse  and  the  speakers 
were  McLean,  Turner,  Smith  and  others. 

BANNERS. 

Banners  were  the  order  of  the  day  in  political  celebrations  and  this  one 
was  conspicuous  for  its  wonderful  banners  and  devices. 

Buchanan  democracy  was  represented  on  one  banner  by  a  line,  "Collo'd  possum 
chained  and  shackeled,  on  the  top  of  the  banner.  The  Mt.  Carroll  Seminary 
was  represented  by  a  carriage  of  young  ladies  with  the  banner:  "Mt.  Carroll 
Seminary,  Liberty  and  Union,  Fremont."  Among  the  banners  were  these: 

"Our  Inland  Seas :  We  want  a  President  who  knows  them." 

"We  keep  our  powder  dry  for  disunionists." 

"Die  Deutsches  von  Ridott  for  Fremont  and  Dayton." 

"Freie  Arbeit  &  Freie  Kansas." 

"No  old  bachelors  in  the  White  House.     Fremont,  Jessie  and  the  Union." 

"No  more  Slave  States." 

"No  Compromise  with  Slavery." 

"No   Comprise    with    Slavery." 

"Up  Freeman  and  at  em.    Music.    Star-spangled  banner." 

It  was  estimated  the  big  crowd  numbered  35,000  to  50,000  by  some  of  the 
newspapers.  Some  who  attended  the  Fremont  convention  and  the  Lincoln-Doug- 
las debate  maintained  that  the  former  drew  the  larger  crowd.  The  great  crowd 
was  evidence  that  the  newly  born  republican  party  was  a  lusty  youngster. 

CAMPAIGN   OF   i860. 

The  enthusiasm  of  the  campaign  of  1860  is  shown  in  the  headlines  in  the 
Wide  Awake,  October  20,  1860 : 


Republican  Jubilee. 


Freeport  All  Ablaze. 


The  Douglas  Wake  Eclipsed,  Two  to  One. 


1,500  to  2,000  Torches. 


Brilliant  Illuminations. 


Fire    Works. 


Grand  Procession. 


Great  Enthusiasm. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  117 

German  Mounted  Rangers. 
400  in  Sherman  Procession. 
Hon.  J.  C.  Kean  Declares  For  Lincoln. 


Innumerable  Banners. 


Seven  Bands  of  Music. 


Speeches  by  Washburne,  Sweet  &  Shaffer. 


Stephenson  Good  for  1,000  Majority  For  Old  Abe. 


Oh   Ain't  I  Glad  I  Joined  the  Republicans. 


ITEM,  1860. 

The  county  gave  Lincoln  nearly  900  majority  and  Freeport  gave  him  205  in 
1860. 

THE  RAILROAD— THE  END  OF  PIONEER  TIMES. 

The  invention  of  the  steam  engine  and  the  building  of  railroads  in  the  east 
pointed  the  way  for  the  rapid  development  of  Illinois.  Little  progress  could  be 
made  in  any  large  way  so  long  as  supplies  and  crops  must  be  hauled  to  and  from 
such  a  distant  market  as  Chicago  by  horse  and  ox  teams.  The  interior  coun- 
ties had  advanced  about  as  far  as  they  could  without  a  better  means  of  trans- 
portation. The  legislature  of  Illinois  was  possessed  with  the  idea  of  internal 
improvements.  In  1837  the  legislature  appropriated  ten  million  dollars  for  a 
system  of  railroads  and  other  improvements.  The  state  borrowed  money  and 
work  was  begun.  A  heavy  debt  was  contracted,  fifty  miles  of  railroad  were 
built  and  the  state  rapidly  approached  bankruptcy.  The  state's  credit  was  dam- 
aged. There  was  some  talk  of  repudiating  the  debt.  This  disgrace  was  pre- 
vented largely  through  the  foresight  and  ability  of  Governor  Thomas  Ford,  and 
the  honor  of  Illinois  was  saved. 

The  first  railroad  in  the  United  States  was  built  in  1826,  between  Albany 
and  Schenectady  in  New  York.  Illinois  jumped  early  into  the  railroad  business. 
A  line  was  built  from  Meredosia  to  Springfield  at  a  cost  of  $1,000,000,  and  later 
sold  for  $100,000.  The  first  locomotive  to  run  in  the  Mississippi  valley  ran  over 
eight  miles  of  this  road  in  1838,  twelve  years  after  the  first  railroad  was  op- 
erated in  the  United  States.  But  the  state  indebtedness  of  $14,666,562.42  ac- 
companied by  bank  suspensions,  a  depreciated  currency  and  talk  of  repudiation, 
gave  a  decided  check  to  the  dream  of  state  railroading.  The  next  undertak- 
ings were  to  be  by  private  capital  with  state  and  national  aid. 


118  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

By  1850  the  Chicago  and  Galena  railroad  was  completed  as  far  as  Elgin. 
Capital  was  availabe  but  the  people  held  mass  meetings  and  determined  to  admit 
no  railroads  that  did  not  make  a  terminus  on  Illinois  soil. 

In  1850  Congress  passed  the  bill  donating  to  Illinois,  three  million  acres  of 
public  lands  to  aid  in  railroad  construction.  This  was  a  turning  point  and 
broader  and  saner  views  of  railroad  building  prevailed.  In  1850  there  were 
three  pieces  of  railroad  in  Illinois ;  one  eight  miles  long  from  Meredosia  and  Na- 
ples to  Springfield;  one  six  miles  long  from  the  coal  fields  opposite  St.  Louis; 
and  one  from  Chicago  to  Elgin.  The  act  of  Congress  provided  for  a  right  of 
way  through  the  public  lands  of  Illinois  two  hundred  feet  wide.  The  road  was 
to  run  from  a  point  near  the  junction  of  the  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi  to  the 
southern  terminus  of  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal,  and  from  that  point  in  two 
branches  to  Galena  and  to  Chicago.  The  railraad  company  was  granted  alter- 
nate sections,  designated  by  even  numbers,  six  sections  deep  from  the  right  of 
way.  The  road  was  to  begin  simultaneously  at  the  northern  and  southern  ter- 
mini, and  was  to  be  completed  in  ten  years.  The  government's  odd  number  sec- 
tions at  once  rose  in  price  from  $1.25  to  $2.50  an  acre.  The  land  was  taken  off 
the  market  for  two  years  and  was  finally  sold  at  an  average  of  $5  per  acre. 
So,  although  the  federal  government  had  made  a  great  donation  to  Illinois,  it 
profited  itself,  because  its  treasury  was  enriched  by  large  sales  of  public  lands 
at  a  higher  rate. 

Davidson  and  Strive's  History  of  Illinois  says:  "The  capitalists  who  or- 
ganized the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company  were  six  men  from  New  York 
and  three  from  Boston.  It  was  one  of  the  most  stupendous  and  ingenious 
speculations  of  modern  times.  By  means  of  it,  a  few  sagacious  capitalists  came 
into  possession  of  a  first  class  railroad,  over  700  miles  long  and  millions  of 
acres  of  land  worth  in  the  aggregate,  perhaps,  $40,000,000  without  an  actual 
outlay  of  a  cent  of  their  own  money.  After  the  road  is  in  operation  the  state  is 
to  receive  5%  of  the  gross  earnings  in  lien  of  all  state  taxes  forever.  When 
the  road  was  completed  the  minimum  value  of  the  lands  donated  by  the  gov- 
ernment was  $20,000,000,  or  $6,000,000  more  than  the  cost  of  the  road.  Bonds 
sold  readily  at  par  and  the  road  was  built.  The  government  realized  a  profit 
of  $9,000,000  as  a  result  of  increase  in  land  values. 

THE   GALENA    AND   CHICAGO   RAILROAD. 

The  railroad  fever  reached  Freeport  and  Stephenson  County  about  1845. 
The  people  were  thoroughly  aroused  because  now  they  saw  a  solution  to  the 
perplexing  problem  of  markets  and  transportation.  Until  these  problems  were 
solved,  there  was  no  possibility  of  rapid  progress  in  the  county.  But  the  rail- 
road would  be  a  panacea.  Not  only  would  it  bring  markets  and  transportation ; 
it  would  bring  new  settlers  by  thousands.  The  new  settlers  and  the  accessible 
markets  would  cause  a  rise  in  land  values,  and  once  more  the  conservative  op- 
timism of  the  county  had  dreams  of  a  prosperous  future. 

There  was  much  railroad  sentiment  in  1846.  But  it  was  not  till  January  7, 
1847,  tnat  the  movement  for  railroads  took  definite  form.  On  that  date  a  rail- 
road convention  was  held  at  Rockford.  All  northern  Illinois  was  represented. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  119 

Stephenson  County  was  instrumental  in  calling  the  meeting  and  was  well  rep- 
resented at  Rockford.  Among  the  delegates  from  this  county  were  John  H. 
Adams,  Luman  Montague,  Jackson  Richert,  D.  A.  Knowlton,  Martin  P.  Sweet 
and  Adrian  P.  Lucas.  From  Chicago  came  W.  B.  Ogden,  I.  N.  Arnold  and 
Walter  Newbury.  Chicago  parties  had  already  received  a  charter  and  this 
company  proposed  to  go  ahead  and  build  the  Galena  and  Chicago  railroad. 
Several  speeches  were  made  at  Rockford  and  each  locality  was  ambitious  to 
show  why  the  railroad  would  profit  by  passing  its  way. 

The  railroad  question  soon  became  a  question  of  cash.  Money  was  scarce 
and  capital  difficult  to  obtain.  To  construct  the  road,  it  was  absolutely  neces- 
sary to  sell  stock  along  the  right  of  way.  The  company  told  the  Stephenson 
County  people  that  $20,000  worth  of  stock  must  be  subscribed  in  this  county. 
The  time  had  now  arrived  when  people  who  wanted  a  railroad,  could  back  the 
desire  with  cash. 

Solicitors  traveled  over  the  county  disposing  of  the  stock.  They  met  with  a 
response  that  was  quite  generous,  considering  the  tight  money  conditions  of 
the  times.  The  appreciation  of  the  necessity  of  the  railroad  was  general  and 
women  were  as  enthusiastic  as  the  men.  So  apparent  was  the  necessity  for 
the  railroad  that  both  men  and  women  were  willing  to  sacrifice  to  aid  the  cause 
and  hasten  the  day.  It  is  said  that  women  aided  in  many  cases  to  pay  for 
stock  subscribed  by  selling  eggs,  butter  and  provisions.  Finally  the  $20,000  was 
subscribed  by  Stephenson  County. 

The  railroad  was  built  as  far  as  Elgin  in  1850  and  finally  reached  Belvi- 
dere.  At  this  time  all  the  difficulties  and  discouragements  to  which  such  an 
undertaking  is  susceptible,  threatened  to  stop  the  progress  of  construction.  In 
the  midst  of  the  period  of  discouragement,  an  attempt  was  made  to  turn  the 
course  of  the  road  from  the  original  route  and  send  it  through  to  Savannah. 
This  change  would  leave  Stephenson  County  entirely  without  a  railroad.  The 
county  was  at  once  thrust  in  gloom  and  almost  in  despair.  Men  who  had  urged 
the  people  to  subscribe  for  the  stock  were  alarmed  for  the  blame  would  be 
fixed  largely  on  them  if  it  developed  that  the  people  had  put  $20,000  in  a  rail- 
road for  some  other  county.  People  who  had  sacrificed  by  buying  stock,  were 
beginning  to  feel  that  they  had  been  fleeced. 

But  there  were  aggressive  leaders  in  Stephenson  County  who  were  deter- 
mined that  the  county  was  not  to  be  side-tracked  by  such  a  game.  A  com- 
mittee of  citizens  was  appointed,  consisting  of  J.  H.  Adams,  O.  H.  Wright, 
D.  A.  Knowlton,  and  John  A.  Clark,  to  visit  Rockford  and  Chicago  to  insist 
that  the  original  contract  be  carried  out.  The  committee  visited  Rockford  and 
made  a  strong  impression  on  the  influential  ones  there  and  then  went  on  to  Chi- 
cago. In  Chicago  they  met  the  officers  of  the  road  and  convinced  them  that  the 
road  should  come  on  west  through  Freeport  to  Dubuque,  for  which  they  al- 
ready had  the  right  of  way.  The  committee  was  entirely  successful,  as  it 
must  have  been  with  such  men  working  together.  It  was  cooperation  and  unity 
of  interest  and  action  that  won  the  day  for  greater  Freeport  and  Stephenson 
County.  The  county  owes  much  to  these  men  who  aided  materially  in  bring- 
ing the  railroad  into  the  county,  for  it  was  a  question  of  ox  teams  or  railroads. 
It  owes  much  also  to  every  individual  who  cooperated  by  buying  stock,  by  back- 


120  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ing  up  his  ideas  with  his  cash,  and  by  showing  a  large  spirit  of  concerted  social 
activity. 

Work  soon  began  again  on  the  road  and  slowly  but  surely  it  made  its  way 
towards  Freeport. 

THE    ILLINOIS    CENTRAL. 

February  10,  1851,  the  Illinois  State  Legislature  passed  a  law  providing  for 
the  construction  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  according  to  the  conditions  laid 
down  by  Congress.  Considerable  time  was  spent  on  a  multitude  of  bills  and 
amendments,  for  such  a  great  enterprise  would  be  naturally  a  good  subject  for 
cranks  and  grafters.  Honest  men  had  hard  work  to  keep  the  transaction  clear 
of  graft  and  also  to  secure  to  the  state  its  own  rights.  An  understanding  was 
entered  into  by  which  the  Galena  and  Chicago  road  was  to  end  at  Freeport 
and  the  Illinois  Central  was  to  go  on  to  Galena.  Surveys  were  at  once  begun 
on  the  proposed  lines  and  in  1852  made  commendable  progress. 

To  relieve  the  monotony  of  the  times  and  to  add  spice  to  the  situation,  a 
strike  occurred  while  the  road  was  being  built  through  Silver  Creek  Township 
near  Grain's  Grove.  The  men  had  made  demands  for  higher  wages,  but  their 
demands  had  been  passed  by  unheeded.  Finally  the  gang  of  workmen  quit 
work,  drank  too  much  liquor  and  became  disorderly.  The  situation  was  threat- 
ening and  the  company  appealed  to  the  authorities  for  protection  of  their  prop- 
erty. The  proper  authorities  took  the  matter  up  promptly  and  the  local  militia 
company,  under  command  of  Captain  J.  W.  Crane,  marched  to  Grain's  Grove, 
destroyed  the  whiskey  and  suppressed  the  disorder.  After  this  show  of  force 
there  was  no  further  trouble  with  the  strikers,  and  the  work  went  merrily  on. 

In  1854  the  Galena  and  Chicago  line  was  completed,  through  Lena  to  Warren. 

THE  CHICAGO,   MILWAUKEE  &  ST.    PAUL. 

The  original  company  was  chartered  in  1852  to  build  a  railroad  from  Racine 
to  Beloit.  Racine,  Elkhorn,  Delevan  and  Beloit  subscribed  $490,000  worth  of 
stock.  Many  farmers  along  the  right  of  way  also  bought  stock,  some  mortgaging 
their  farms.  In  1856  the  road  was  completed  to  Beloit.  The  company  failed  to 
meet  its  obligations  and  a  new  company  took  charge  of  the  road.  In  the  reor- 
ganization the  farmers  were  left  out.  Considerable  litigation  followed,  but  "the 
holders  being  innocent  purchasers,  the  courts  recognized  their  equities  and  the 
mortgagors  were  compelled  to  pay  them."  In  1858-9  the  work  of  extension 
through  Stephenson  County  was  prosecuted  with  vigor.  A  strike  occurred  at 
"Deep  Cut,"  but  Captain  Crane  and  his  militia  put  a  quietus  on  the  threatened 
riot  and  destruction  of  property.  In  1859  the  road  was  completed  to  Freeport. 
Later  it  was  extended  to  Savannah  and  Rock  Island. 

The  following  villages  and  towns  were  built  up  around  Chicago,  Milwaukee 
&  St.  Paul  stations:  Davis,  Rock  City,  Dakota  and  Florence.  The  railroad 
passes  through  the  townships  of  Rock  Run,  Dakota,  Freeport,  Silver  Creek  and 
Florence. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  121 

The  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  thus  brought  steam  transportation  within 
easy  reach  of  a  large  part  of  the  county,  and  added  the  third  railroad  for  the 
city  of  Freeport.  It  did  its  part  after  1859  m  developing  the  county.  More 
immigrants  came,  the  county  was  closely  settled  up  along  the  line  and  land  values 
rose. 

ITEMS   ON    RAILROADS FREEPORT    JOURNAL. 

A  Stephenson  County  railroad  meeting  was  held  in  Freeport  January  14, 
1850,  with  Jared  Sheetz  chairman  and  F.  W.  S.  Brawley,  secretary.  O.  H. 
Wright  was  made  chairman  of  a  committee  to  select  delegates  to  the  Rock- 
ford  Railroad  Convention.  The  following  resolution  was  adopted:  "Resolved: 
That  we,  the  citizens  of  Stephenson  County,  are  in  favor  of  a  tax  of  i%  per 
annum,  for  three  years  in  succession,  to  aid  in  the  constructing  of  the  Galena 
and  Chicago  Union  Railroad,  provided  said  road  is  located  through  this  county." 
Another '.  mass  meeting  was  held  January  26th,  with  Johnathan  Reitzell  as 
chairman. 

Journal,  January  14,  1850:  "A  plank  road  is  to  be  constructed  from  St. 
Charles  to  the  Rock  River." 

The  Journal,  Monday,  January  28,  1850:  "The  cars  are  now  running  to  El- 
gin, about  %  the  distance  from  Chicago  to  Galena." 

The  railroad  tax  was  vigorously  opposed  at  the  meeting  January  26,  1850. 
The  chief  arguments  against  it  were:  People  could  not  stand  an  additional 
tax ;  unconstitutional,  could  not  make  the  county  a  part  of  an  incorporal  body ; 
would  build  up  monopoly  to  enrich  the  few  at  the  expense  of  the  many. 

The  Galena  Gazette,  May,  1850:  "On  Friday  morning  there  were  ten  teams 
loaded  with  produce  here  from  Stephenson  County." 

June  14,  1850,  a  large  and  enthusiastic  railroad  meeting  was  held  at  the 
courthouse.  John  H.  Adams  was  chairman  and  Charles  Betts,  secretary. 
Speeches  were  made  by  Hon.  W.  B.  Ogden,  president  of  the  Galena  &  Chi- 
cago Union  Railroad  Co.,  and  by  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner.  By  June  24th, 
through  the  efforts  of  John  A.  Holland  of  Rockford  and  D.  A.  Knowlton  the 
stock  subscription  in  Stephenson  County  reached  $40,000. 

The  Journal,  1850,  said :  "It  usually  requires  eight  days  and  costs  $24  to 
make  a  trip  with  grain  to  Chicago  and  return.  A  farmer  usually  hauls  40 
bushels  and  gets  $32  for  it,  which  leaves  him  $8.10.  This  was  used  as  an  argu- 
ment for  a  railroad  tax. 


THE    CARS    ARE    HERE. 

Friday,  August  26,  1853,  the  Freeport  Journal  had  an  article  under  the  above 
heading.  The  article  follows :  "At  last  after  all  the  disappointments  and  diffi- 
culties of  reaching  us,  the  cars  have  at  last  come.  We  have  seen  and  heard 
the  panting  of  the  iron  horse  and  heard  the  shrill  whistle  of  the  locomotive  for 
the  first  time  in  Freeport. 

Yesterday  the  construction  train  crossed  the  bridge  over  the  Pecatonica  and 
today  will  probably  reach  the  depot  grounds  at  the  lower  end  of  town.  Our 


122  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

farmers,  merchants  and  business  men  will  rejoice  over  this  event  heartily  and 
hail  with  delight  this  new  advance  of  wealth  into  our  midst.  Where,  by  the 
way,  is  the  celebration  we  heard  so  much  about?  Has  it  fizzled?" 

September  16,  1853,  the  Journal  says :  "During  the  past  two  weeks  our  town 
has  been  busy,  consequently,  upon  the  completion  of  the  railroad.  Meanwhile, 
we  want  more  hotels,  store  rooms  and  dwelling  houses." 

THE  CHICAGO    GREAT    WESTERN    RAILROAD    COMPANY THE    "CORN    BELT    ROUTE." 

The  Chicago  Great  Western  Railroad  was  completed  through  Stephenson 
County  in  1889.  It  was  believed  for  a  time  that  the  road  would  enter  Free- 
port,  but  this  hope  has  never  been  realized  and  the  road  runs  through  the 
county  south  of  Freeport,  and  along  its  line  several  important  stations  have 
been  built  up,  such  as :  Bolton,  Pearl  City,  German  Valley  and  South  Free- 
port.  This  is  a  rich  grain  section  and  elevators  along  the  line  do  a  big  business. 
The  connection  with  Freeport  is  by  stage  and  auto-bus,  meeting  all  passenger 
trains  at  South  Freeport,  three  miles  south  of  Freeport.  At  present,  a  ticket 
office  is  maintained  in  the  "rest  room,"  at  the  northwest  corner  of  the  square. 

The  Great  Western  was  at  first  largely  in  the  hands  of  English  capitalists. 
In  1909,  after  a  heroic  struggle  by  President  Stickney,  it  went  into  the  hands 
of  a  receiver  and  was  later  bought  up  at  a  low  figure  by  the  Morgan  interests 
of  New  York.  This  was  followed  by  a  reorganization  and  recapitalization.  As 
a  consequence  of  ample  financial  backing,  the  road  at  once  began  extensive 
improvements,  the  main  feature  of  which  was  double  tracking  from  Oelwein 
to  Chicago.  Grades  are  being  reduced  and  the  entire  line  is  being  reballasted 
with  a  twelve  inch  bed  of  gravel  ballast  under  the  ties.  Double  passing  tracks 
are  laid  five  miles  apart,  many  of  which  are  lapped  sidings,  interlocked  at  the 
lap.  The  ties  are  treated  with  creosote  and  efficient  screw  spikes  are  used. 

A  prospective  interurban  line  from  Freeport  to  Dixon,  crossing  the  Great 
Western  at  South  Freeport,  is  sure  to  be  built  some  day,  and  then  the  Great 
Western  will  do  considerable  more  passenger  business  from  Freeport. 

THE   ROCKFORD    &    INTERURBAN    RAILROAD   COMPANY. 

The  Freeport-Rockford  line  of  the  Rockford  &  Interurban  Railroad  Co. 
was  completed  into  Freeport  in  the  spring  of  1904.  The  road  does  a  large  pas- 
senger and  freight  business  and  has  been  a  great  advantage  to  the  city  and  the 
county.  Local  capital  aided  in  the  construction  of  the  road,  but  some  time  ago 
the  company  passed  into  the  control  of  an  eastern  syndicate. 

The  officials  are:  President,  H.  D.  Walbridge;  first  vice  president,  Emil  G. 
Schmidt ;  second  vice  president,  T.  M.  Ellis ;  secretary,  W.  H.  Lemons ;  treasurer, 
W.  H.  Bruner;  general  manager,  Chester  P.  Wilson;  general  passenger  agent, 
C.  C.  Shockley. 

The  local  officials  are :  J.  J.  Brereton,  agent ;  and  Wm.  Holmes,  assistant. 

THE  MIGRATION  TO  STEPHENSON  COUNTY. 

"They  builded  better  than  they  knew." 

Stephenson  County  is  five  hundred,  seventy-three  square  miles  of  rolling 
prairie  in  the  heart  of  a  continent  and  makes  an  interesting  theme  in  the  study 


A  PIONEER  SCENE 


PIONEER  OX  TEAM 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  123 

of  geology.  The  most  valuable  part  of  the  county's  geology  is  its  soil  of  great 
fertility  and  variety,  affording  occupation  and  wealth  for  its  people.  Its  loca- 
tion too  is  favorable,  being  located  near  the  lead  region  and  on  the  great  path- 
way to  the  west,  on  the  old  trail  that  led  from  the  east  to  the  west,  via  Chicago 
and  the  Great  Lakes.  The  county's  soil  and  natural  drainage  system  have 
made  it  a  rich  agricultural  and  stock  raising  region  and  its  location  has  made 
it  a  railroad  and  manufacturing  center.  But  of  more  interest  than  the  soil  or 
the  favored  location;  of  vastly  more  interest  than  its  agriculture  and  its  in- 
dustries is  the  change  of  these  five  hundred,  seventy-three  square  miles  of  wild 
prairies  and  wooded  hills  and  valleys  from  a  land  occupied  only  -by  a  few  roving 
savages  and  roamed  over  by  the  wolf  and  the  deer,  with  not  a  white  man  trodding 
its  primeval  state — the  change  of  five  hundred,  seventy-three  square  miles, 
transformed  by  civilization  and  affording  homes  for  over  40,000  citizens  of 
the  United  States,  with  farms,  villages,  towns  and  cities  and  societies,  churches, 
schools  and  organized  governments,  and  all  in  seventy-eight  years. 

Such  a  people  have  an  interesting  history.  They  came  not  from  one  state  or 
from  one  people.  Not  the  Western  States  alone,  but  the  old  Commonwealth 
of  the  Atlantic  Coast,  from  Massachusetts  to  Georgia,  sent  many  of  their  best 
families  to  lay  here  the  foundations  of  a  new  people.  Europe,  too,  contributed 
liberally  its  daring  and  progressive  spirits.  Hardly  a  state  in  the  nation,  or  a 
nation  in  Europe,  that  did  not  add  its  mite  to  the  upbuilding  of  Stephenson 
County's  civil  society. 

Indeed,  it  is  a  fascinating  study  to  trace  to  the  east  to  their  former  homes, 
the  trail  of  the  multitude  that  settled  here,  following  close  upon  the  wake  of  the 
departing  red  men  and  in  advance  of  the  railroad.  Some  walked  and  some  came 
on  horseback.  Others  drove  ox  or  horse  teams  from  the  Atlantic  seaboard  plains 
over  the  mountains  and  across  the  trackless  and  almost  endless  valley  of  the 
Mississippi.  Still  others  came  by  canal  and  boat  around  the  Great  Lakes,  or 
down  the  Ohio  and  up  the  Mississippi  and  the  Illinois,  and  yet  others  by  way 
of  New  Orleans  and  the  Father  of  Waters. 

The  old  covered  wagon,  or  "Prairie  Schooner,"  was  a  home  on  wheels,  the 
family  unit  enroute  to  new  lands  of  wider  opportunity.  It  was  not  a  breaking 
away  from  the  institutions  and  the  faith  of  the  fathers.  Their  strange  cov- 
ered wagons  were  loaded  down  with  the  institutional  ideas  of  a  great  people 
and  wherever  they  stopped  in  the  wild  west,  the  family  stepped  from  wagon  to 
cabin,  primitive  agriculture  began,  schools  and  churches  and  trades  and  civil 
government  sprang  up  round  about.  The  wagons  contained  a  few  simple  pieces 
of  furniture  and  cooking  utensils,  the  trusty  rifle  and  the  family  Bible  with  its 
sacred  pages  of  the  family  record.  Sometimes  alone,  and  sometimes  in  twos 
and  threes,  these  started  westward  from  far  away  Vermont  or  Massachusetts. 
Some  came  from  New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  and  yet  others  from  Kentucky, 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  There  were  weeks  and  weeks  of  tedious  travel, 
now  resting  by  night  at  some  friendly  inn  or  with  a  settler,  enjoying  the  un- 
alloyed hospitality  of  the  frontier,  or  frequently  pitching  camp  under  the  open 
sky.  No  road  was  too  long,  no  hill  too  steep,  no  mire  too  deep,  no  dangers  too 
great  to  dampen  the  ardor  of  those  heroic  spirits  that  had  heard  the  call  of  the 
great  west.  It  was  a  spirit  that  would  not  die  out,  and  may  be  seen  today,  flash- 


124  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ing  up  in  its  original  vigor  and  vitality  through  three  quarters  of  a  century  of 
our  history,  as  we  listen  reverently  to  the  tales  told  by  the  few  remaining  heroes 
and  heroines  of  that  early  time. 

Old  Europe,  too,  heard  the  call.  The  revolutions  of  1830  and  1848  were 
sure  indications  of  restless  spirit.  Stories  of  wide  fields  of  opportunity  were 
carried  cross  the  Atlantic  and  passed  from  the  seaport  towns  to  the  interior, 
and  in  taverns  and  about  the  firesides,  in  old  England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  France, 
Prussia  and  Bavaria,  plans  were  made  to  cast  fortunes  in  the  new  land.  Some- 
times it  was  a  desire  for  greater  political  or  religious  freedom  and  often  be- 
cause of  a  desire  to  seek  a  country  of  greater  industrial  opportunities,  untram- 
melled by  the  limiting  restrictions  of  aristocracy  and  hard  and  fast  rules  of 
social  traditions.  Many  were  poor,  and  staked  all  on  this  one  great  struggle  to 
get  to  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  land  of  plenty.  From  England,  France  and 
the  German  states,  and  later  from  Norway  and  Sweden,  came  hundreds  of 
brave,  thrifty,  honest  souls  to  found  families  here  in  the  county  and  to  add  vastly 
to  the  richness  and  variety  of  our  National  life.  Breaking  home  ties,  they  crossed 
the  stormy  Atlantic,  came  west  by  railroad  as  far  as  railroad  came,  and  then  by 
wagons  they  pushed  on  into  the  new  country.  The  records  show  that  most  of 
them  were  workmen,  trained  in  the  apprentice  system  of  the  Old  World.  Wher- 
ever they  came,  shops  sprang  up  and  these  shops  in  a  generation  have  developed 
into  our  factory  system.  They  gave  us  lessons  in  honesty,  frugality  and  industry. 
They  were  loyal  to  the  new  country.  In  '61,  when  the  flag  was  assailed  and  the 
nation  threatened,  alongside  the  men  from  Massachusetts,  Vermont,  New  York, 
Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  the  Carolinas,  marched  the  men  from 
Ireland,  Scotland,  Norway  and  Sweden,  Alsace,  Prussia,  Wertemburg  and  Old 
England,  the  colors  blended  in  the  Star  Spangled  Banner. 

But  particulars  and  incidents  are  more  valuable  and  more  interesting  than 
generalizations.  It  is  when  we  consider  these  pioneers  as  individuals,  and  not 
the  life  and  experience  of  each,  that  we  come  to  appreciate  truly  the  plain  and 
simple  life,  the  dangers  and  the  hardships,  and  the  triumph  in  conquering  the 
wilderness,  and,  above  all,  the  power  and  influence  of  the  pioneer  character 
wrought  in  adversity. 

One  of  the  best  accounts  of  early  travel  is  that  of  George  Flower,  from 
England  to  Illinois.  He  spent  fifty  days  on  the  ocean  from  Liverpool  to  New 
York.  He  arrived  in  Arnerica  alone.  "With  an  ocean  behind  him  and  a  vast 
continent  before  him."  He  went  on  horseback  from  Philadelphia  to  Pittsbuig. 
He  joined  the  Birkbeck  family  at  Richmond,  Virginia,  and  the  party  consisting 
of  Morris  Birkbeck,  Geo.  Flower  and  Birkbeck's  two  daughters  and  another 
young  lady,  started  for  Illinois.  He  had  heard  the  stories  of  the  prairies  and 
"shrank  from  the  idea  of  settling  in  the  midst  of  the  wood  to  hew  and  hack 
away  to  a  little  farm  ever  bordered  by  a  gloomy  wood."  The  stage  broke  down 
and  the  party  walked  twelve  miles  to  Pittsburg.  Men  and  women  then  started 
on  horseback  for  Illinois.  Each  had  a  blanket,  a  saddle  and  well  filled  saddle 
bags  all  secured  by  a  surcingle  and  a  great  coat  or  cloak  and  an  umbrella  strapped 
behind.  They  left  Pittsburg  and  plunged  into  the  wilderness  across  Ohio  and 
Indiana.  Once,  while  crossing  a  log  bridge,  a  horse  leaped  and  plunged  into 
the  river,  twenty  feet  below.  The  excitement  and  danger  of  fording  streams 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  125 

troubled  him  in  his  dreams  to  his  old  days.  Taverns  were  mere  shanties,  often 
destitute  of  windows  and  doors.  They  slept  on  a  blanket  on  the  floor.  At  times, 
they  slept  on  the  ground  under  the  open  sky.  They  passed  Cincinnati  and 
after  tedious  travel  across  southern  Indiana,  they  arrived  at  Vincennes.  The 
slow  journey  had  some  advantages  for,  before  the  journey  was  many  days  old, 
Flower  and  Miss  Andrews  were  frequently  riding  together,  much  to  the  an- 
noyance of  widower  Birkbeck  who  had  ambitions  in  that  same  direction.  Youth 
won,  and  at  Vincennes,  Flower  and  Miss  Andrews  were  married.  The  party 
often  followed  the  dangerous  "trace"  that  ran  from  Vincennes  to  St.  Louis  and 
were  soon  past  the  frontier 'cabin  on  the  wild  unbroken  prairies  of  Illinois,  where 
Flower  says,  "For  once,  reality  came  up  to  the  picture  of  the  imagination." 
In  the  spring  of  1831,  John  H.  Bryant,  a  brother  of  William  Cullen  Bryant, 
the  poet,  left  Cummington,  Mass.,  for  Central  Illinois.  At  Albany,  he  took  a 
boat  on  the  Erie  canal  and  reached  Buffalo  in  seven  days.  The  lake  was  full 
of  ice  and  he  hired  a  team  to  Dunkirk  and  then  to  Warren  on  the  Allegheny 
River  in  Pennsylvania.  There  he  joined  an  English  family  that  was  making  the 
trip  down  the  river  to  Pittsburg  in  a  craft  called  the  Ark.  This  required  seven 
days.  At  Pittsburg  he  came  by  steamboat  to  St.  Louis,  then  by  boat  up  the 
Illinois  River  to  Naples.  He  then  walked  twenty-two  miles  to  Jacksonville,  Illi- 
nois, completing  his  journey.  From  Pennsylvania  to  Illinois,  required  one 
month  or  more  of  tedious  travel.  The  journey  was  made  by  wagon,  rail,  canal, 
stage  and  steamboat.  On  the  canal,  the  progress  was  slow — no  faster  than  a 
mule  could  walk  or  trot.  There  was  no  haste  and  there  seemed  to  be  an 
abundance  of  time.  Mr.  W.  W.  Davis  thus  describes  that  part  of  the  trip  to 
Illinois :  "On  rising  in  the  morning,  a  tin  dipper  was  at  hand  to  dip  the  water 
from  the  canal  into  a  basin  for  the  face  and  hands,  and  towels  were  ready  to 
complete  the  toilet.  These  were  limited  in  number  and  soon  became  saturated 
with  abundant  and  indiscriminate  patronage.  There  was  a  common  comb  and 
brush  which  fastidious  folks  hesitated  to  employ.  The  meals  were  substantial  but 
monotonous :  breakfast,  dinner  and  supper  consisting  mainly  of  tea  and  coffee, 
bread  and  butter,  ham  and  bacon,  liver  and  sausage.  Perhaps,  the  most  ex- 
citing diversion  of  the  voyage  was  the  gymnastics  required  of  the  passengers 
when  the  lookout  warned  of  the  coming  obstacles.  "Bridge,"  meant  the  slight 
ducking  of  the  head,  but  "Low  bridge,"  meant  a  violent  contraction  of  the  whole 
anatomy  to  escape  contact  with  some  low  roadway,  crossing  the  canal.  Night 
was  our  worst  trial  in  the  frail  bark.  There  was  no  sound  of  revelry.  Ex- 
temporaneous shelves  were  placed  along  the  sides,  one  above  the  other,  and  a 
delicate  man  below  was  in  danger  of  being  crushed  by  some  stout  fellow  above. 
A  close  curtain,  swung  on  wire,  separated  the  sexes.  Long  before  day,  the  air 
of  the  narrow  cabin  had  become  distressingly  foul,  and  at  the  earliest  streak 
of  dawn,  there  was  a  generous  scramble  for  the  deck  and  the  pure  air  of  heaven. 
We  came  one  hundred  and  three  miles  in  thirty  hours." 

The  trip  down  the  Ohio  by  steamboat  was  interesting  in  many  ways.  Charles 
Dickens  made  the  journey  on  the  "Messenger"  in  1842.  Thwaites  speaks  of  the 
river  as  the  "Storied  Ohio."  At  the  beginning,  there  was  old  Fort  Pitt,  once 
Fort  Du  Quesne,  recalling  the  struggle  for  a  continent  between  the  English  and 
the  French.  Associated  with  Du  Quesne  is  the  name  of  Washington,  the  first 


126  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

President.  Below  Parkersburg  Blannerhassett's  Island.  Here,  the  young  Irish- 
man, the  brilliant  scholar  and  his  accomplished  wife  built  Castle  Blannerhassett. 
And  here,  too,  Blannerhassett  was  entrapped  by  the  wiles  of  Aaron  Burr. 

Below  Cincinnati  is  North  Bend  where  the  tomb  of  General  Harrison  could 
be  plainly  seen.  At  Louisville,  an  omnibus  carried  the  travelers  around  the 
rapids.  Thirty  miles  below  Shawneetown,  was  Cave-in-Rock,  the  resort  of  Mason, 
the  outlaw. 

It  was  a  three  days'  journey  from  Pittsburg  to  Cincinnati  and  seven  days 
f  ron)  Pittsburg  to  St.  Louis.  Above  St.  Louis  was  Alton,  where  Lovejoy  was  slain 
while  standing  for  the  freedom  of  the  press. 

Some  immigrants  came  on  up  the  Mississippi  in  steamboats  to  Savannah. 
Others  went  by  stage  to  Springfield  or  Jacksonville.  Still  others  by  small 
steamers  came  up  the  Illinois  River  to  La  Salle,  and  then  by  stage  or  wagon 
struck  out  for  the  frontier  settlements  and  the  public  land  offices. 

The  poet,  William  Cullen  Bryant,  visited  northern  Illinois  in  1832,  spending 
a  time  with  his  brother  at  Princeton.  The  great  prairies  gave  him  an  inspiration 
that  made  him  write  the  following  lines : 

"These  are  the  gardens  of  the  desert,  these, 
The  unshorn  fields  boundless  and  beautiful, 
For  which  the  speech  of  England  has  no  name 
The  prairies,  I  behold  them  for  the  first, 
And  my  heart  swells,  while  the  dilated  sight 
Takes  in  the  encircling  vastness :    Lo !   they  stretch, 
In  airy  undulations,  far  away, 
As  if  the  ocean  in  her  gentlest  swell, 
Stood  still,  with  all  his  rounded  billows  fixed, 
And  motionless  forever." 

Bryant  tells  his  own  experience  in  frontier  travel.  He  says,  "A  little  before 
sunset,  we  were  about  to  cross  the  Illinois  Canal.  High  water  had  carried  away 
the  bridge  and  in  attempting  to  ford,  the  coach  wheels  on  one  side  rose  upon 
some  stones,  and  on  the  other  sank  in  mud,  and  we  were  overturned  in  an 
instant.  We  extricated  ourselves  as  well  as  we  could.  The  men  waded  out; 
the  women  were  carried  and  nobody  was  drowned  or  hurt.  A  passing  farm 
wagon  carried  the  female  passengers  to  the  next  house.  To  get  out  the  bag- 
gage and  set  the  coach  on  its  wheels,  we  all  had  to  stand  waist  deep  in  the  mud. 
At  nine,  we  reached  the  hospitable  farm  house,  where  we  passed  the  night  in 
drying  ourselves  and  getting  our  baggage  ready  to  proceed  the  next  day." 

Samuel  Willard  says  his  father  went  from  Boston  to  Greene  County,  Illi- 
nois, in  1831.  He  shipped  his  household  goods  by  vessel  to  New  Orleans  and 
then  by  boat  to  St.  Louis,  where  they  arrived  months  afterwards.  With  his 
wife  and  three  sons,  he  went  'by  stage  and  steamer  to  Pittsburg,  and  then  by 
boat  down  the  Ohio  and  up  the  Mississippi  and  the  Illinois.  Henry  Holbrook's 
father  and  mother  traveled  from  Steuben  County,  New  York,  to  northern  Illi- 
nois in  a  buggy  drawn  by  one  horse,  while  the  family  and  goods  came  by  wagon. 
After  five  weeks  of  suffering  from  exposure,  they  arrived  in  Whiteside  County. 
Edward  Richardson  came  the  entire  distance  on  foot. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  127 

The  difficulties  of  travel  were  great.  There  were  no  bridges  over  the  smaller 
streams  and  fording  was  a  hazardous  undertaking.  Sloughs  and  swamps  added 
danger  and  delay.  It  took  time  to  drive  around  them,  and  when  a  wagon  and 
team  mired  in  the  mud,  it  required  several  teams  to  pull  them  out.  For  that 
reason  several  wagons  usually  went  together.  Ten  to  fifteen  miles  a  day  were 
allowed  for  an  ox  team.  A  common  mode  was  to  have  a  yoke  of  oxen  at  the 
wheel  and  a  horse  in  the  lead.  David  Hazard  brought  his  family  from  Penn- 
sylvania to  northern  Illinois,  nine  hundred  miles  in  twenty-eight  days,  all  the 
way  by  wagon. 

But  Stephenson  County  has  an  abundance  of  incident  in  the  account  of 
travel  to  the  west  to  make  an  interesting  volume  in  itself.  One  of  the  earliest 
and  best  is  that  of  Mrs.  Oscar  Taylor.  On  May  9,  1898,  Mrs.  Taylor  read  a  paper 
before  the  Freeport  Woman's  Club,  entitled  "Reminiscences  of  life  in  Free- 
port,  sixty  years  ago."  At  this  point,  nothing  so  well  could  be  done  as  to  quote 
that  part  of  her  paper  which  dealt  with  her  trip  to  Freeport  in  1839.  For  this, 
the  writer  is  indebted  to  the  Freeport  Daily  Journal,  August  28,  1909. 

"It  was  in  the  autumn  of  1839  that  I  began  my  life  in  Illinois.  I  came  west 
by  way  of  the  lakes  and  stopped  for  several  days  in  Chicago.  That  city 
numbered  some  3,000  inhabitants  at  that  time  and  was  proud  of  its  two  brick 
buildings.  Chicago  River  was  crossed  by  ferry  boats,  bridges  being  things  of  the 
future.  The  lake  lapped  the  shores  now  occupied  by  the  Central  Railroad  tracks, 
while  cows  placidly  pastured  where  the  Art  Institute  now  stands.  Sidewalks 
were  an  unknown  luxury  and  Michigan  Avenue  was  more  or  less  of  a  swamp. 
The  one  object  of  interest  was  old  Fort  Dearborn,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
then  the  military  post  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Leavenworth.  But 
Chicago  was  not  my  ultimate  destination,  and  at  2  o'clock  one  September  morn- 
ing, in  a  Frink  and  Walker  stage-coach,  I  left  the  lakeside  town  for  my  future 
home  in  Stephenson  County.  The  stage  was  a  commodious  affair,  and  I  found 
ten  fellow-passengers,  all  young  men  westward  bound,  as  eager  fortune  seek- 
ers as  those  who  are  today  rushing  to  Alaska. 

In  the  darkness  of  the  early  morning  I  could  see  nothing;  but  the  con- 
tinued splashing  caused  by  the  four  horses  gave  the  impression  of  low  land 
nearly  under  water. 

At  daybreak  we  reached  a  country  tavern  where  we  breakfasted  on  the 
Rio  coffee,  fried  fat  pork,  potatoes  boiled  with  their  jackets  on,  with  hot  sal- 
eratus  biscuits,  the  color  and  odor  of  which  warned  us  what  to  expect  in  flavor. 
But  the  gay  spirits  and  vigorous  appetites  of  jny  traveling  companions  added 
piquant  sauce  to  the  emigrant  fare. 

On  emerging  from  the  stuffy  little  breakfast  room  into  the  fresh  air  of  the 
morning,  there  before  me  lay  the  great  prairies  of  the  west,  seen  for  the  first 
time  in  the  full  splendor  of  a  magnificent  sunrise,  the  sea  of  green  stretching 
unbounded  in  every  direction,  the  vast  expanse  unbroken  by  any  sign  of  habi- 
tation. 

The  curtains  of  our  stage  were  rolled  up,  as  we  drove  on  through  the  beau- 
tiful morning,  I  was  perfectly  entranced.  I  had  heard  of  the  western  prairies, 
I  had  imagined  them,  I  had  read  of  them  with  Cooper,  my  father  had  written 
of  them,  but  I  had  not  formed  the  slightest  conception  of  the  actual  vision  of 


128  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

this  country  which  was  then  almost  as  it  had  been  a  century  before,  when  the 
red  man  roamed  over  it  at  will.  Gradually  the  flat  levels  changed  to  a  more 
billowy  surface,  and  small  groves  of  oak  appeared.  Sometimes  we  passed 
through  what  seemed  veritable  gardens,  so  gorgeous  were  the  fields  of  yellow 
golden-rod,  broken  by  the  deep  purple  and  snowy  white  of  the  wild  aster.  And 
the  gentians,  blue  and  purple,  fringed  and  closed,  bloomed  in  bewildering  beauty, 
while  the  great  cloud-shadows  floating  across  the  scene  continually  altered  the 
face  of  the  landscape.  I  looked  to  see  deer  or  wolf  or  some  other  wild  crea- 
ture start  up  as  we  passed,  but  in  that  I  was  disappointed. 

Our  late  lunch  had  been  a  repetition  of  breakfast  and  I,  tired  and  hungry, 
fell  asleep  as  darkness  gathered,  to  be  aroused  by  a  shout  from  the  driver: 
"Rockford,  Rockford!  Here  you  can  get  a  good  Yankee  supper."  Most  wel- 
come news!  It  wasn't  a  Yankee  supper  after  all,  but  a  most  delicious  supper 
of  native  prairie  chickens,  cooked,  however,  with  the  skill  of  the  traditional 
eastern  housewife.  At  midnight  we  left  Rockford,  crossing  the  river  by  ferry, 
to  me  a  frightful  experience  in  the  black  darkness.  Hardly  were  we  on  solid 
earth  before  the  driver  announced  that  the  passengers  must  leave  the  stage  and 
climb  the  sand  bank  just  ahead,  as  the  horses  could  not  pull  the  load  up  the 
bank.  I  think  I  should  have  been  buried  in  the  sand  had  not  one  of  the  young 
men  gallantly  assisted  me. 

After  reentering  the  stage  my  journey  was  unbroken  until  in  the  early  dawn 
I  reached  my  new  home  on  a  farm  four  miles  east  of  Freeport.  What  was  my 
first  home  in  Illinois?  It  was  one  of  the  low  log  houses  in  general  use  among 
the  early  settlers,  soon  to  be  supplanted  by  the  regulation  frame  farm  house. 

In  the  joyful  excitement  of  meeting  my  family,  and  in  the  novelty  of  all 
my  surroundings,  there  was  at  first  no  chance  for  homesickness;  but  the 
realization  of  all  I  had  left  behind  came  with  my  first  introduction  to  Free- 
port.  My  father  had  spoken  of  Freeport  as  the  town  of  importance,  the 
county  seat,  the  centre  of  interest  in  the  farming  community,  and  I  had  pic- 
tured an  eastern  village  nestling  among  trees,  with  church  spires  pointing 
heavenward  and  homes  ranged  side  by  side  along  the  streets." 

One  of  the  most  interesting  records  and  one  that  will  have  increasing  value 
and  interest  as  time  goes  by,  is  that  of  Luman  Montague,  who  settled  West 
Point  Township.  He  married  a  Miss  Elmira  Clark  in  Massachusetts,  and 
soon  after  began  one  of  the  most  remarkable  honeymoon  trips  on  record,  the 
trio  driving  an  ox  team  from  Northampton,  Massachusetts,  over  one  thousand 
miles  to  Stephenson  County,  Illinois,  sleeping  in  the  wagon  and  camping  by 
the  way.  Only  a  high  hope  and  a  tremendous  will  set  out  on  such  a  tedious 
journey  of  innumerable  hardships  and  faltered  not  till  the  goal  was  reached 
in  triumph.  Such  was  the  spirit  of  the  men  and  women  who  laid  the  foun- 
dations of  this  county. 

James  H.  Eels  and  family  drove  through  from  New  York.  The  Reitzels 
came  to  this  county  by  two  different  routes,  from  Center  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania. John  Reitzel,  father  of  Captain  W.  H.  Reitzel,  partly  by  canal  and 
partly  by  Incline  Railroad,  came  over  the  Allegheny  Mountains  to  Pittsburg. 
From  Pittsburg  with  his  family,  household  goods  and  a  set  of  blacksmith  tools, 
he  traveled  by  steamer  down  the  Ohio  River  and  up  the  Mississippi  to  Sa- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  129 

vannah.  The  trip  from  Savannah  to  this  county  was  made  by  wagon.  At 
Waddams,  Pells  Manny  volunteered  to  take  his  team  and  help  pull  the  Reit- 
zels  across  the  Pecatonica  River,  one  of  the  many  evidences  of  whole-souled 
frontier  generosity.  Mr.  Reitzel  settled  on  a  claim  at  Buena  Vista,  June  22, 
1840.  Phillip  Reitzel  accompanied  by  John  Wolford,  rode  horseback  from 
Center  County,  Pennsylvania,  to  Stephenson  County,  via  Chicago.  Wolford 
was  offered  eighty  acres  of  land  on  State  Street,  Chicago,  for  his  horse,  saddle 
and  bridle.  He  declined.  It  seems  that  when  people  start  for  Stephenson 
County  they  will  not  be  turned  aside  even  by  the  offer  of  a  future  million.  Of 
course,  at  that  time  Chicago  did  not  give  much  evidence  of  becoming  a  great 
city. 

John  Turneaure  came  from  near  Meadeville,  Crawford  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  two  covered  wagons,  one  drawn  by  two  horses  and  the  other  by 
three.  He  brought  with  him  some  simple  household  furniture,  a  trunk  full  of 
victuals,  his  wife  and  eight  children.  They  drove  ocress  Ohio  to  Cleveland  and 
across  Indiana  to  Chicago.  Owing  to  the  muddy  sloughs  in  Chicago,  he  drove 
around  to  the  south  and  avoided  the  city.  Just  out  of  Chicago,  his  wagons 
mired  down  to  the  axles  and  he  had  to  unhitch  his  teams  and  lead  the  horses 
out  to  solid  ground.  He  then  proved  that  necessity  is  the  mother  of  invention, 
by  taking  off  the  bed  cord,  fastening  it  to  the  end  of  the  wagon  tongue,  hitch- 
ing his  team  to  the  cord  and  pulling  his  wagons  out  of  the  mire.  A  set  of 
modern  bed  springs  would  have  been  of  little  value  in  such  an  emergency.  Mrs. 
Amanda  Head,  Mr.  Turneaure's  daughter,  was  a  girl  of  twelve,  and  remem- 
bers how  delighted  the  children  were  with  the  prospect  of  a  trip  to  the  west. 
She  says  the  people  along  the  way  were  always  generous  and  hospitable.  At 
the  close  of  a  day's  drive  they  would  stop  at  some  farm  house.  Beds  were 
made  on  the  floor  and  her  mother  cooked  the  breakfast  on  the  host's  stove. 
There  were  no  charges — the  traveler  paying  what  he  pleased.  In  1842,  Mr. 
Turneaure  made  the  trip  to  Belvidere  in  three  weeks.  Later,  in  1848,  he  bought 
160  acres  near  Van  Brocklyn  at  $1.50  per  acre. 

William  Baker,  the  first  resident  of  Freeport,  drove  a  wagon  with  his  fam- 
ily from  Orange  County,  Indiana,  to  Sangamon  County,  Illinois,  in  1823.  In 
1827,  the  Bakers  moved  over  the  Sucker  trail,  via  Peoria  and  Dixon,  through 
Stephenson  County  to  the  lead  regions  in  Jo  Daviess  County.  In  1829  they 
moved  to  Peoria  and  in  1832  they  came  back  over  the  trail  to  the  lead  mines  of 
Wisconsin.  During  Black  Hawk's  War  they  "forted"  in  Fort  Defiance.  After 
the  war,  the  family  spent  two  years  in  Dubuque  and  moved  to  Freeport  De- 
cember 19,  1835.  Two  years  after  his  marriage  to  Miss  Harriett  Price,  in 
Cortland  County,  New  York,  Mr.  Auson  S.  Babcock  and  his  wife  drove  in  a 
one  horse  sleigh  from  New  York  across  Ohio  and  Michigan  to  Chicago,  and  then 
on  to  Stephenson  County,  settling  first  in  Ridott  Township.  They  left  New 
York  February  12,  1859,  and  arrived  here  after  a  four  weeks'  journey. 

Mr.  Charles  Baumgarten  came  to  America  from  Lorraine,  France,  in  1833. 
He  lived  in  Detroit  three  years  and  walked  to  Chicago  in  1835,  coming  to 
Freeport  in  1850.  W.  L.  Beebe  and  wife,  formerly  of  New  York,  drove  from 
Michigan  to  Ogle  County  in  1840,  bringing  with  them  all  their  worldly  posses- 
sions in  a  wagon.  Mr.  Beebe  found  that  he  had  just  $30  when  he  reached  his 


130  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

destination.  They  came  to  Stephenson  County  in  1862.  Benjamin  Goddard 
was  born  in  Graf  ton  County,  New  Hampshire,  1804;  moved  with  parents  to 
Vermont  in  1806;  moved  to  St.  Lawrence  County,  New  York,  in  1825;  drove 
in  wagon  with  his  wife,  family  and  household  effects  from  New  York  to  Steph- 
enson County  in  1835  and  settled  three  miles  from  Freeport.  Thomas  F. 
Goodhue,  born  in  Belfast,  Maine;  educated  in  New  England;  studied  law  at 
Troy,  New  York,  and  after  practicing  law  in  New  York  City  four  years,  came 
to  Freeport  in  1842.  Hon.  A.  T.  Green  came  to  Stephenson  County  from  New 
York  in  October,  1839,  walking  from  Rockford  to  Freeport.  He  stopped  on  a 
hill  and  resting  on  a  stump  counted  in  all,  forty  roofs  in  the  village  of  Free- 
port.  From  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Baden,  came  Fred  Gund,  Sr.,  in  1848.  Cap- 
tain J.  R.  Harding  arrived  here  from  Oxfordshire,  England,  in  1857. 

Mathias  Hettinger,  a  native  of  Keffenach,  Alsace-Lorraine,  came  to  New 
York  with  his  brother  in  1836.  He  worked  at  the  wagon  maker's  trade  in 
New  York  and  at  Canton  and  Portsmouth,  Ohio,  driving  overland  to  Stephen- 
son  County  in  1841  and  started  a  shop  in  Freeport.  John  Hoebel,  a  boy  of 
fourteen,  came  alone  to  America  from  Phenish,  Bavaria,  in  1825.  He  came 
west  and  drove  to  Freeport  in  1842.  Mr.  Hollis  Jewell,  born  in  St.  Albans, 
Vermont,  left  home  with  only  $50  at  the  age  of  18;  learned  the  carpenter's  trade 
in  Albion,  New  York;  in  1835  worked  at  his  trade  in  Cleveland,  Ohio;  in 
1837  he  built  a  viaduct  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Freeport  by  wagon 
in  1840.  Thomas  W.  Johnson  was  born  in  England,  1825.  He  landed  in 
New  Orleans  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  came  up  the  Mississippi  River  to  Galena 
and  walked  from  Galena  to  Freeport  in  1839,  and  became  a  successful  mer- 
chant. F.  E.  Josel,  once  city  engineer  of  Freeport,  came  in  1866  from  Austria, 
where  he  studied  engineering  in  Vienna.  Mr.  Louis  Jungkunz,  Sr.,  came  to 
Freeport  in  1854  from  Bavaria.  In  1856  he  married  Miss  Caroline  Lucke  of 
Prussia. 

Mr.  Dexter  A.  Knowlton  started  west  from  Chautauqua  County,  New  York, 
on  a  peddling  trip  in  1838.  The  next  year  he  made  his  way  into  Stephenson 
County  and  settled  in  Freeport,  opening  up  a  general  store.  Mr.  Jacob  Krohn, 
a  prominent  business  man,  came  to  America  from  Prussia  and  located  in  Free- 
port  in  1855.  D.  Kuehner  came  from  Germany  to  Ohio  in  1851  and  moved  to 
this  county  in  1856.  Daniel  Kunz,  baker,  came  from  Hesse  Darmstadt,  Ger- 
many. Michael  Lawver  drove  from  Pennsylvania  to  Stephenson  County  in  a 
wagon,  arriving  at  Lena  after  a  seven  weeks'  trip,  May  26,  1846.  The  parents 
of  George  and  Henry  Lichtenberger  came  from  Bavaria  to  New  Orleans  in 
1847  and  to  Freeport  the  next  year.  C.  H.  Little  came  from  Massachusetts  in 
1855.  John  Loos  came  to  America  in  1852.  He  was  born  in  the  County  Rhei- 
nich,  Grand  Duchy  of  Luxemburg,  and  his  wife  in  Eblington,  Groshertzogtum 
Boxburg,  Baden.  Rev.  Thomas  F.  Mangan,  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church, 
was  born  in  County  Clare,  Ireland,  and  came  to  Freeport  in  1858.  Pells  Manny 
came  from  Montgomery  County,  New  York,  in  1836,  and  settled  near  Wad- 
dams.  Edmund  Merck  is  a  native  of  Alsace.  Charles  E.  Meyer  came  from 
Hanover,  Germany,  in  1853  and  movec?  to  Freeport  in  1855.  George  Milner 
and  Joseph  Milner  came  to  Freeport  in  1855.  They  were  natives  of  England. 
James  Mitchell  came  to  the  Galena  lead  mines  in  1827,  took  part  in  the  Black 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  131 

Hawk  War  and  settled,  first  in  Rockford  and  then  in  Freeport.  Elias  Perkins, 
of  Derbyshire,  England,  arrived  in  this  county  in  1849  and  began  his  work 
as  brick  mason  and  contractor.  J.  J.  Piers,  a  native  of  Hunterdon  County, 
N.  J.,  arrived  in  Freeport  and  began  his  trade  as  blacksmith.  Hon.  George 
Purinton,  a  native  of  Maine,  a  graduate  of  Bowdoin  College,  a  professor  of 
Baltimore  College,  heard  the  call  of  the  western  prairies  and  opened  up  a  law 
office  in  Freport  in  1840.  A.  V.  Richards  with  his  parents  moved  from  Mor- 
gan County,  Illinois,  to  Wisconsin  in  1847,  later  moved  to  Galena  and  then  to 
this  county.  Henry  Rohkar  came  from  Hanover,  Germany,  1856,  and  entered 
the  baking  business.  C.  H.  Rosenstiel  came  from  Hanover  to  Waddams  Grove, 
1842.  D.  B.  Schulte,  who  came  to  Freeport  in  1854,  was  a  native  of  West  Pla- 
lon,  Prussia.  Charles  Seyfarth,  of  Saxony,  came  to  America  in  1849  and  to 
Stephenson  County,  1852.  The  parents  of  J.  A.  Sheetz  drove  from  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1839.  Mr.  Leonard  Stoskopf  came  here  with  his  parents  from  Canada 
in  1842.  Valentine  Stoskopf  came  from  Strasburg  to  New  Jersey,  then  to 
Canada  and  then  to  Freeport.  D.  H.  Sunderland,  who  came  here  in  1845,  was 
a  native  of  Vermont.  D.  C.  Stover  was  a  native  of  Franklin  County,  Penn- 
sylvania. Geo.  F.  Swarts  came  from  Center  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1841. 
Horace  Tarbox  catne  here  from  New  York  State.  Mr.  Oscar  Taylor  drove  from 
Saratoga,  New  York,  to  Joliet,  Illinois,  in  1838,  settled  in  Rockford  later,  and 
came  to  Freeport  in  1842.  Mr.  William  Walton  of  Birmingham,  England,  be- 
gan business  in  Freeport  in  1858.  John  M.  Walz,  of  Germany,  started  the 
cooper's  trade  here  in  1856. 

Thomas  Wilcoxen  was  born  in  Milledgeville,  Georgia.  The  family  moved 
to  Portsmouth,  Ohio,  where  produce  was  shipped  to  New  Orleans.  With  a 
brother,  on  horseback  he  came  over  the  Indian  trails  to  the  northwest.  In  1837, 
he  settled  near  Cedarville. 

Mr.  Chas.  Berhenke  came  from  Lippe  Detmold,  Germany  in  1853.  Bryan 
Duffy  came  from  Ireland  in  1846  and  located  in  Kent  Township.  James  A.  Hughes 
of  Kent  came  to  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1851  and  to  Kent  in  1853.  Edward 
Hunt  came  to  Winslow  from  Norfolk  County,  Mass.,  in  1838.  Charles  Sheard 
of  Yorkshire,  England,  came  to  New  York  in  1832;  to  Canada  in  1836;  to  Jo 
Daviess  County  in  1849  and  in  1858  to  his  farm  in  Winslow  Township.  James 
Turnbull  came  from  Jedburg,  Scotland,  to  New  York  City  in  1833 ;  in  1834  to 
North  Carolina;  in  1835  back  to  New  York;  in  1837  to  Chicago;  and  in  1838, 
to  Stephenson  County.  James  Coxen  came  from  Desleyshire,  England,  to  Cin- 
cinnati in  1849,  and  to  Waddams  Township  in  1850.  Charles  P.  Guenther 
was  born  in  Frankfort-on-the-Maine ;  came  to  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1836; 
1839  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y. ;  1847,  to  Allegheny  County,  Pa.,  and  in  1853,  to  Stephen- 
son  County.  Alonzo  Lusk,  of  Hartford  County,  Conn.,  came  to  Waddams 
County  in  1840.  William  Shippee  came  from  Bergen  County,  Pa.,  in  1839  and 
to  Waddams  in  1852.  In  1843  Robert  Sisson  came  from  Cambridgeshire,  Eng- 
land, to  Waddams  township. 

Michael  Bastian  came  from  Alsace  in  1858,  to  Florence  Township.  August 
Fronning,  who  came  to  Florence  in  1857,  is  a  native  of  Prussia.  August  Hoefer, 
also  of  Prussia,  came  to  this  county  in  1856.  Henry  Kruse  came  to  Silver  Creek 
Township  from  Ostsfriesland  in  1853.  Dr.  Van  Valseh,  and  a  party,  Henry  S. 


132  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Barber,  Joseph  Green,  C.  Miller,  John  Fisher,  John  Glover,  Nathan  and  Isreal 
Sheet,  left  Union  County,  Pa.,  April  18,  1837.  They  came  via  Pittsburg, 
Wheeling,  followed  the  National  road  through  Janesville  and  Columbus,  Ohio, 
and  through  Richmond  and  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  crossed  the  Wabash  at  Coving- 
ton  and  then  passed  through  Danville,  Peoria,  over  the  Kellog  trail,  through 
Buffalo  Grove,  then  through  Crane's  Grove  and  Freeport,  to  Cedarville  and 
Rock  Grove.  The  party  was  seven  weeks  on  the  road.  In  1839,  Henry  S.  Barber 
brought  out  fourteen  teams  from  Pennsylvania.  George  J.  Bentley,  father  of 
C.  N.  Bentley,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  moved  to  New  York  in  1829  and  came 
to  Shannon,  this  county,  in  1853.  He  moved  to  Winslow  and  made  a  trip  to 
Des  Moines,  Iowa,  returning  with  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  one  horse.  Mr.  E.  Bentley 
of  Eleroy  came  from  Somerset  County,  England,  to  America  in  May,  1824,  and 
worked  on  farms  and  in  factories  in  various  parts  of  the  east,  finally  locating  in 
Harlem  Township.  Henry  Burkhard,  a  farmer  in  Harlem  Township,  was  born 
in  Baden,  Germany,  and  came  to  America  at  the  age  of  ten.  He  went  on  vari- 
ous trips  to  Minnesota,  Kansas,  Missouri  and  Tennessee,  but  at  last  settled  in 
Stephenson  County.  Mr.  Henry  Hill  is  a  native  of  Mecklenburg-Schwerin, 
Germany.  Martin  Lawless,  Damascus,  was  born  seven  miles  from  the  City  of 
Dublin,  Ireland,  in  1822.  He  came  to  New  York  in  1848  and  worked  his  way 
west,  arriving  in  Freeport  in  1853  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Harlem  in  1865. 

Mr.  Joseph  McCool,  a  native  of  Virginia  and  father  of  O.  P.  McCool,  came 
to  Stephenson  County  in  1840.  The  family  came  by  boat  from  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
and  located  first  at  Kiethsbury  and  then  at  Lancaster  and  later  in  Harlem.  John 
Martin  came  to  Harlem  from  England.  In  1849  with  his  family  he  drove  in  a 
wagon  from  the  east,  through  Chicago,  to  this  county.  Smith  W.  Pickard,  born 
in  New  York  in  1795,  served  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  came  to  Stephenson 
County  in  1838  with  his  son  Jonas  L.  Pickard. 

John  H.  Stout,  whose  grandfather  came  from  Holland,  was  born  in  New 
Jersey  and  came  to  this  county  in  1846.  Frederick  Watson  left  Nottinghamshire, 
England,  at  the  age  of  thirteen  and  worked  his  way  west  to  this  county  in  1845. 

Sometimes  people  came  to  Stephenson  County  in  large  groups.  In  1843,  a 
party  of  about  sixty  started  from  Union  County,  Pa.  In  this  party  were  Samuel 
Barber's  family  of  five ;  John  Barber's  family  of  ten ;  James  W.  Barber's  family 
of  ten ;  John  Van  Dyke  and  sons  family  of  eleven ;  Samuel  Wright's  family  of 
five ;  Jacob  Gables  family  of  six ;  Robert  Badger's  family  of  seven,  William  and 
John  Wright.  They  drove  through  Mercer  County,  Pa.,  crossed  the  Allegheny 
River  at  Franklin,  through  Warren  and  Cleveland,  Ohio,  through  Adrian  and 
Janesville,  Michigan,  through  South  Bend,  Indiana,  Chicago  and  Rock  ford  to 
Freeport,  arriving  here  after  an  arduous  journey  of  five  and  a  half  weeks. 
The  party  had  divided  at  Rockford,  one  division  coming  on  to  Freeport,  July  4, 
1843.  They  stopped  at  the  Main  Hotel  which  then  stood  on  the  site  of  the  old 
Pop  Factory,  now  the  out-door  grounds  on  Walnut  Street. 

Frederick  Wagner  came  from  Sondershausen,  Germany,  in  1862,  locating 
on  a  farm  in  Kent  in  1871.  Charles  Waterman  of  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y., 
came  west  and  with  his  brother  laid  out  Sycamore,  111.,  in  1838.  He  was  a 
prominent  leader  in  doing  away  with  the  "Driscolls,"  the  notorious  band  of 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  133 

horsethieves  of  that  day.  In  1840,  he  came  to  Freeport  and  in  1844  to  Loran 
Township. 

Robert  Baker  left  Yorkshire,  England,  in  1830  and  located  in  Canada.  In 
1860,  he  moved  to  Jefferson  Township,  Stephenson  County.  Peter  Kerch,  born 
in  Wurtemburg,  Germany,  came  to  New  York  in  1846;  to  Pittsburg  in  1848 
and  to  Jefferson  Township  in  1855.  Simon  Tollmeier,  Simon  Schester,  Jacob 
Offenhiser  and  John  Koch,  all  of  Germany,  settled  in  Jefferson  Township. 

George  D.  Babbitt  is  a  typical  representative  of  the  westward  migration. 
He  was  born  in  Goshen,  Hampshire  County,  Massachusetts,  1799;  in  1802,  the 
family  moved  to  Otsego  County,  New  York;  to  Susquehanna  County  in  1820, 
where  he  learned  the  trimmers  trade;  to  Pike,  Allegheny  County  in  1825,  where 
he  was  married  and  had  five  children ;  to  Centerville,  five  years ;  to  Niagara 
County;  to  Canada;  to  Branch  County,  Michigan;  to  Ogle  County,  Illinois;  to 
Sugar  River,  Winnebago  County,  Illinois ;  and  settled  at  last  in  Erin  Township 
in  1854.  Daniel  Gilman  moved  from  Center  County,  Pennsylvania,  to  Eleroy  in 
1840. 

From  Old  Virginia  came  Aaron  Griggsby.  He  moved  first  into  Kentucky 
and  then  to  Indiana.  Then  he  moved  on  into  Edgar  County,  Illinois,  in  1829;  to 
Iroquois  County  in  1835 ;  and  to  Stephenson  County  in  1836.  John  Manlove,  of 
Montgomery  County,  England,  came  to  Canada  in  1841 ;  to  Chicago  in  1845 
and  then  on  to  Stephenson  County,  buying  a  farm  of  Thomas  Hotchkiss,  a 
leader  of  a  band  of  horsethieves.  Dr.  E.  H.  Plasch  left  Germany  because  of 
revolutionary  troubles  in  1845  an<i  after  teaching  and  practicing  medicine  in 
Jo  Daviess  County,  settled  in  Eleroy. 

B.  P.  Bellknap,  born  in  Vermont  in  1811,  came  west  in  1839,  walking  from 
Milwaukee  to  Monroe,  Wisconsin,  and  to  Gratiot.    In  1841,  he  settled  in  Oneco 
Township,  where  he  taught  the  first  school  in  that  township.     Michael  Bolender 
came   from   Union   County,    Pennsylvania,   to   Orangeville   in    1840,   with   John 
Kleckner,  Michael  Gift,  and  George  Mowry.     The  Clarnos  of  Oneco  Township 
came  from  France  to  Virginia,  from  Virginia  to  Ohio,  then  to  Tazewell  County, 
Illinois,  and  to  Stephenson  County  in  1838.    Jacob  Fye  drove  from  Center  County, 
Pennsylvania,  to  Oneco  Township  in  1839.    Lewis  Gibler  was  born  in  Shenandoah 
County,  Virginia,  moved  to  Ohio  in  1802,  came  west  and  worked  in  the  mines 
and  settled  in  Oneco  Township  in  1839.     Emanuel  Musser  came   from  Center 
County,   Pennsylvania,  to  Oneco  Township  in    1857.     William  Raymond  came 
from  Canada  in  1843.    Daniel  Sandoe  came  from  Dauphin  County,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1847.     L.  D.  Van  Metre  came  from  Jo  Daviess  County  to  Oneco  Township 
in  1836.     Wm.  Wagenhalls,  of  Wurtemburg,  Germany,  came  to  America  in  1836 
and  to  Orangeville  in  1847.    Ifa  Winchell  of  Erie  County,  New  York,  settled  in 
Oneco  in  1843. 

C.  T.  Barnes,  born  in  Prussia,  followed  the  seas  as  a  sailor  four  years  and 
settled  in  West  Point  Township  in  1852.  Mr.  R.  Baysinger  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, came  to  Edgar  County,  Illinois,  in  1833  and  to  Stephenson  County,  Illi- 
nois, in  1846,  settling  in  West  Point.     Jacob  Burbridge,  born  in  Butler  County, 
Pennsylvania,  lived  a  while  in  Kentucky,  coming  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1829 
and   to   Stephenson    County   in    1837.     William   Corning,   born    in   Rockingham 
County,  New  Hampshire;  moved  to  Lowell,  Massachusetts,  1836;  to  Jo  Daviess 


134  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

County  in  1842;  to  West  Point  Township  in  1848.  Thomas  Davis  came  from 
Sussex,  England,  in  1844;  Frederick  Damert  from  Prussia;  George  W.  Delgate 
from  Maine;  Samuel  Dodds  from  Logansport,  Indiana;  Anthony  Doll  from 
Canada;  B.  Doll  from  Baden;  A.  F.  Foil  from  Bedfordshire,  England;  J.  D. 
Fowler  from  Rutland  County,  Vermont,  in  1838,  coming  by  way  of  canal  and 
lake,  being  21  days  on  the  way;  D.  W.  Frisby  from  New  York  City;  John  Har- 
rington from  Ireland  in  1846 ;  Joseph  Hicks  from  Ashtabula  County,  New  York, 
in  1840;  Hon.  Andrew  Hinds  from  New  York;  Adam  Krape  from  Center 
County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1846;  H.  Loomis  from  Litchfield  County,  Connecticut, 
in  1840;  W.  W.  Lowis  from  Lincolnshire,  England;  John  Masters  from  Mary- 
land in  1857;  Dr.  W.  P.  Naramore,  Seneca  County,  New  York;  John  Reeder 
from  Frankfort-on-the-Maine,  1856;  Captain  John  Schermerhorn  from  Fulton- 
ville,  New  York;  A.  H.  Stahl  from  Perry  County,  Pennsylvania,  to  Ogle  County 
in  1859  and  to  Lena  in  1863;  Jo  Daviess,  Waddams  from  Galena;  Charles  Walz 
from  Kaiserslantern,  Germany;  and  William  Yeager  from  Germany. 

Edward  Barker  came  from  Franklin  County,  Vermont,  to  Rock  Grove  Town- 
ship in  1842.  Samuel  Chambers  and  Thomas  Chambers  rode  through  on  horse- 
back from  Union  County,  Pennsylvania,  to  Jo  Daviess  County  in  1835  and  set- 
tled in  Rock  Grove  in  1836.  C.  J.  Cooper,  born  in  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania, 
moved  to  Clark  County,  Illinois,  came  through  Stephenson  County  as  a  soldier 
during  Black  Hawk's  War  in  1832,  and  lived  in  Crawford  County  till  he  moved 
to  Rock  Grove  in  1844.  W.  L.  Cooper  came  from  Delaware  by  way  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Crawford  County,  Illinois.  Jacob  Fisher  came  here  from;  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1839  and  entered  a  claim.  Ole  O.  Gardner,  born  ninety  miles  from 
Christiana,  Norway,  in  1815,  came  to  New  York  in  1842,  then  to  Wisconsin  and 
to  Rock  Grove  Township  in  1848;  C.  T.  Kleckner,  from  Northampton  County, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1840;  Henry  Kloepping  from  Prussia  in  1852;  George  Maurer 
from  Pennsylvania  in  1840;  Edward  Pratt,  stage  driver  for  Fink  and  Walker, 
from  New  York;  Lewis  and  L.  W.  Schradermaeier  from  Lippe-Detmold,  Ger- 
mony,  in  1852;  Col.  Geo.  Walker,  made  the  wagon  trip  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Rock  Grove  with  his  family,  in  five  weeks  in  1849,  and  Geo.  Zimmerman  came 
from  Union  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1849. 

J.  B.  Angle  came  from  Franklin  County,  Pennsylvania,  to  buck  Eye  Town- 
ship, in  1844,  settling  first  on  Richland  Creek.  John  Bender  came  from  Baden, 
Germany,  and  John  Boals  from  Donegal  County,  Ireland ;  John  Heser  from  Ba- 
varia ;  Robert  Jones  from  Kent  County  England ;  Ensebius  Schadle  from  Wurtem- 
burg,  Germany,  and  William  Stewart,  Andrew  and  John  Wilson  from  Donegal 
county,  Ireland.  Josiah  Clingman  and  family  came  to  Illinois  in  1835,  settling  in 
Peoria  and  La  Salle  Counties  and  moving  to  Stephenson  near  Cedarville  in  1837. 
Rev.  Geo.  J.  Donmeyer,  a  graduate  of  Pennsylvania  College,  drove  through  to  Ste- 
phenson County,  enduring  all  the  hardships  incident  to  pioneer  travel  and 
preached  his  first  sermon  May  12,  1850,  in  a  school  house,  three  miles  North 
of  Lena.  The  father  of  James  Folgate,  with  a  family  of  ten  children,  made 
the  trip  from  Pennsylvania  to  Stephenson  County  and  settled  in  Buck  Eye 
Township  in  1841.  Jacob  Jones  came  from  Maryland,  Daniel  Kostenbader  from 
Pennsylvania  by  flat  boat  down  the  Ohio  and  up  the  Mississippi  to  Savannah, 
then  on  foot  to  Cedarville,  and  John  and  Thomas  Pollock  from  Ohio.  George 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  135 

Trotter,  born  in  Bourbon  County,  Kentucky,  came  to  Sangamon  County,  Illinois, 
in  1826,  passed  back  and  forth  through  Stephenson  County,  during  Black  Hawk's 
War  and  took  a  claim  in  Buck  Eye  Township,  in  1836. 

In  1843,  Thomas  and  Robert  Bell  rode  on  horseback  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Stephenson  County,  settling  in  Lancaster  Township.  Corad  Dambman  came 
from  Hesse  Darmstadt,  Germany,  without  a  dollar  and  in  a  few  years  owned 
over  250  acres  in  Lancaster.  I.  N.  Mallory  of  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  settled 
in  Lancaster  in  1836,  and  William  Smith  of  Canton,  Ohio,  in  1835. 

A.  O.  Anderson  left  his  native  home  in  Norway  and  settled  in  Rock  Run 
Township  in  1839.  Michael  Blinn  came  from  Bavaria  in  1854.  Uriah  Boyden 
came  from  New  York  in  1839.  Frederick  Buticofer,  a  carriage  maker,  came 
from  Switzerland  in  1854  to  Rock  Run  Township.  Louis  Germain  is  a  native 
of  France;  Martin  Gillen  and  John  Glynn  from  Ireland;  C.  B.  Johnson  from 
Norway ;  Charles  Haas  and  John  M.  Kaufman  from  Germany ;  Charles  J 
Lilliquist  came  from  Sweden  and  Halleck  and  Thueston  Kundson  from  Norway. 
S.  B.  Leach  was  a  native  of  Maine  and  John  Long  of  New  York.  Alexander 
Niblo  of  Glasgow  was  an  early  settler  in  Rock  Run  Township.  S.  Olsen  came 
to  Rock  Run  from  Norway  in  1842.  Jacob  Orth  came  from  Hesse  Darmstadt. 
John  Weber  came  from  France  in  1844.  A  large  number  of  settlers  in  Rock 
Run  came  from  Pennsylvania. 

One  of  the  early  settlers  of  Dakota  Township  was  W.  R.  Auman,  who  came 
here  from  Pennsylvania  in  1839.  Jacob  Dubs  and  family  came  to  Dakota  in  1852. 
His  wife  died  on  the  journey  from  Europe.  Martin  S.  Lapp  came  from  Canada 
in  1842.  William  McElhiney  came  from  Pennsylvania,  with  his  parents  in  1829, 
settling  first  in  Edgar  County,  111.  In  1837,  the  family  moved  into  Stephenson 
County.  Robert  F.  Mitchel,  of  Center  County,  Pennsylvania,  came  into  the 
county  in  1842.  In  1844,  John  Nelson  and  his  wife,  Mary  Nelson,  emigrated  to 
Dakota  Township  from  the  north  part  of  Ireland  to  Dakota  Township.  Mr.  B. 
Schmeltzer,  of  Lycoming  County,  Pennsylvania,  made  a  year's  trip  through  Illi- 
nois and  Iowa  in  1850  and  settled  in  Dakota  Township  in  1866.  Colonel  Geo. 
Walker  made  the  journey  from  Center  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  wagons  in  1849, 
being  five  weeks  on  the  road.  Charles  Wilson  from  Ireland  and  John  Wirth 
from  Wittenburg,  Germany,  came  to  Dakota  in  1852. 

The  parents  of  G.  S.  Babcock  came  to  Ridott  Township  in  1836.  Michael 
Bardell  came  from  Alsace  to  America  in  1841  and  in  1845  to  Ridott  Township. 
Mrs.  Bardell  was  a  native  of  Reubier,  Germany.  Ulrich  Boomgarten  came  from 
Hanover,  Germany,  in  1850.  Henry  Borchers  came  from  Hanover,  in  1852. 
Seth  Cable  came  from  Ohio  in  1844,  and  Asa  Carey  from  New  York 
in  1852.  Christian  Clay  came  from  Stark  County,  Ohio,  in  1839.  Bearnd 
Groeneveld  came  from  Hanover  in  1852.  Philo  Hammond,  born  in  Vermont, 
went  to  New  York,  then  to  Chicago  and  settled  in  Silver  Creek  in  1837  and  to 
Ridott  in  1848.  John  Heeren,  born  in  Aswaisraland,  Germany,  and  settled  in 
Ridott  in  1849.  Peter  Hermann,  born  in  Baden  Baden  in  1836  and  came  to 
America,  settling  in  Ridott  in  1852. 

Mr.  Thomas  Hunt  came  from  Nottingham,  England,  in  1842.  He  settled 
in  Silver  Creek  and  later  in  Ridott  Township.  Jacob  Molter  came  from  Baden 
in  1850;  John  Rademaker  from  Germany  in  1855;  Henry  Scheffner  and  John 


136  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Scheffner  from  Baden  in  1852.  In  the  same  year  Charles  Rohkar  came  over 
from  Hanover;  Michael  Van  losterloo  came  from  Hanover  in  1849;  H.  P. 
Waters  settled  at  the  mouth  of  Yellow  Creek  in  1836.  He  came  from  New 
York.  David  Wilter  came  from  Maryland  in  1853.  W.  G.  Woodruff,  of 
Berkshire  County,  Massachusetts,  went  to  Connecticut,  to  New  York,  to  Car- 
roll County,  Illinois,  to  Rockford,  and  finally  settled  in  Ridott  Township. 

Mr.   Fred   Bohlender,  in    1844,   came  overland   from   Union   County,    Penn- 
sylvania.    It  was  a  journey  of  six  weeks,  with  four  horses,  two  wagons  and 
buggy  with  provisions  and  cooking  utensils  for  camping  by  the  wayside.     They 
brought  with  them  their  household   furniture.     The   family  of  Alpheus  God- 
dard  drove  through  this  county  from  the  Green  Mountain  State.     They  were 
six  weeks  on  the  journey,  enlivened  by  many  interesting  incidents.    John  Baum- 
gartner  and  wife  and  four  children  drove  in  a  one  horse  wagon  from  Columbia 
County,  Pennsylvania,  to  northern  Illinois,  often  through  a  country  unmarked 
by  wagon  tracks.     They  sold  some  of  the  bedding  on  the  way  to  raise  funds 
for  immediate  use.     He  gave  the  horse  as  a  first  payment  on  a  tract  of  land 
in  Loran  Township.     Martin  Doll,  wife  and  six  children,   with  three  horses, 
a  yoke  of  oxen  and  two  wagons,  drove  to  this  county  from  Canada.     They 
brought  household  goods  and  provisions  for  camping  by  the  wayside,  sleeping 
in  the  wagons.    They  were  seven  weeks  on  the  way  and  arrived  in  Stephenson 
County  with  a  cash  capital  of  50  cents.    Isaac  Dively  and  family  came  by  way 
of  Ohio,  Mississippi  and  Fever  Rivers  in   1837.     From  Galena  they  came  in 
wagons  to  the  Pecatonica,  where  he  built  a  cabin,  the  first  in  that  section  to  have 
the  luxury  of  a  floor  of  sawed  lumber.     Wm.  Dively,  his  son,  hauled  oats  and 
barley  to  Galena  and  returned  with  lumber.     Samuel  and  John  A.  Wright  came 
overland  from  Pennsylvania  to  Buckeye  Township  in  1843.     Fourteen  teams 
with  several  families  came  out  together.     Thomas  Jonas,  was  born  in  Paris, 
France,  in   1801.     He  came  to  America  and  learned  the  blacksmith  trade  in 
Buffalo.     In  1839,  with  wife  and  four  children,  he  came  to  Milwaukee  by  way 
of  the  Great  Lakes  and  hired  two  teams  to  haul  his  family  to  Freeport.     He 
settled  in  Waddams  Township.     Levi  Robey,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  at  the 
age  of  four,  came  from  Maryland  over  the  Appalachian  Mountains  on  pack 
horses  with  his  father's  family.     They  settled  on  the  Sciota  River,  Ohio.   They 
came  on  west  to  Brewster's  Ferry  in  1834.     At  Dixon,  the  Indians  freightened 
the  oxen  and  one  broke  away  from  the  wagon.     He  settled  on  a  claim  in  Wad- 
dams  Township,   Section   I,  in   1835,   February   14.     While  in  Ohio,   he  taught 
school  and  peddled  clocks.     His  father  located  near  Cedarville  after  running 
Brewster's  Ferry  for  two  years. 

Frederick  Gassmann,  wife  and  child  left  North  Germany  in  1843.  They 
crossed  the  Atlantic  in  a  small  sailing  vessel  in  eighteen  weeks,  and  landed 
at  Baltimore.  They  then  went  to 'Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  and  from  there 
by  boat  down  the  Ohio  and  up  the  Mississippi  to  St.  Louis.  At  St.  Louis,  in 
company  with  Charles,  John,  Henry,  Christian  and  Frederick  Rosenstiel,  they 
started  overland  to  Freeport.  They  hired  a  team  to  bring  them  through  for 
$40,  but  when  half  way  the  driver  struck  and  demanded  $40  more  which,  ow- 
ing to  the  conditions,  they  had  to  pay. 


A  TYPICAL  LOO  CABIN 


LIBRABY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  tLUNOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  137 

Silas  Gage  came  from  Pennsylvania.  He  came  down  the  Allegheny  and  the 
Ohio  on  a  raft  and  by  steamer  on  to  Galena.  He  walked  finally  into  the  county 
and  settled  at  Winslow  in  1836. 

Ezra  B.  Gillett  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  was  an  early  settler  of  the  county. 
In  1827,  at  the  age  of  21,  he  came  to  the  lead  mine  regions.  He  was  success- 
ful, but  took  the  cholera  which  was  epidemic  in  the  lead  mine  country  in  1832. 
When  he  had  recovered,  he  traded  his  mine  for  flour  and  sold  the  flour,  and 
bought  a  pony  on  which  he  intended  to  start  to  his  home  in  New  York.  Black 
Hawk  War  was  on,  and  he  felt  that  he  had  little  chance  to  get  through.  He 
placed  his  money  in  the  bottom  of  his  powder  horn,  and  with  an  old  'musket 
across  his  saddle,  he  started  on  his  pony  across  the  country  to  his  home.  He 
arrived  safe,  and  having  married,  returned  to  Stephenson  County  to  take  a 
claim  in  1834.  His  first  stop  was  at  Reitzell's  now  Buena  Vista,  where  he  built 
a  mill  on  Richland  Creek.  He  then  built  a  mill  at  Bowertown,  now  Orange- 
ville,  and  in  1837  built  a  board  cabin  on  his  claim  in  Section  20. 

Mr.  John  Rotzler,  at  the  age  of  eleven,  came  with  his  parents  in  1852,  and 
landed  in  Savannah,  Georgia.  Not  liking  the  climate,  the  family  came  to  Free- 
port  in  1854,  by  boat  from  Savannah  to  Albany,  New  York,  and  by  railroad  to 
Freeport.  The  Rotzlers  came  from  the  same  part  of  Germany  as  the  Wagners. 
Mr.  John  Rotzler,  Sr.,  met  Mr.  William  Wagner,  who  had  returned  for  his 
family,  and  it  was  Mr.  Wagner's  praise  of  America  that  led  the  Rotzlers  to 
come  out  in  1852. 

In  the  fall  of  1839,  George  S.  Cadwell,  Alfred  Cadwell  and  Z.  U.  Harding 
came  to  Oneco  from  Orange  County,  New  York.  They  walked  from  Detroit, 
Michigan,  through  Chicago  and  Freeport.  After  taking  a  claim  in  Section  32, 
they  walked  to  Milwaukee  and  took  a  boat  for  New  York.  In  1841,  George  S. 
Cadwell  married  and  came  west  to  settle  on  his  claim. 

In  a  measure  the  above  sketches  give  an  idea  of  the  racial  elements  of  the 
people  of  Stephenson  County,  and  afford  some  conception  of  the  courage  neces- 
sary for  men  and  women  to  brave  the  hardships  of  pioneer  travel. 

FRONTIER  CONDITIONS. 

THE   LOG    CABIN INDIANS — POISONOUS    SNAKES FISH    AND    GAME MURDER. 

THE   LOG    CABIN. 

It  was  the  day  of  the  log  cabin.  The  carpenter's  tools  were  usually  no  more 
than  an  ax  and  auger.  Some  may  have  possessed  an  adz  and  a  fro,  for  hewing 
the  logs  and  riving  and  splitting  the  clapboards.  The  earliest  cabins  were  built 
of  rough  unhewn  logs.  The  cracks  were  filled  with  clay  mud.  The  roof  was 
covered  with  thatch  or  clapboards  held  in  place  by  poles  laid  on  top.  Nails  were 
unknown.  The  floor  was  laid  with  puncheons  (split  logs)  or  with  bark.  Augers 
bored  holes  into  the  log  walls  and  into  these  pins  were  driven.  On  the  pins, 
bark  or  split  logs  ewre  placed  and  these  served  as  shelves  for  kitchen  utensils, 
clothing,  bedding,  etc.  Bunks  were  often  constructed  in  the  same  way.  Home- 
made bedsteads,  and  chairs  were  common.  The  settlers  were  skilled  in  prepar- 


138  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ing  elm  and  hickory  bark  which  they  wove  into  chair  seats.  In  the  same  way 
they  made  their  baskets,  and  muzzles  for  horses  to  prevent  them  from  eating 
the  corn  while  plowing.  The  fireplace  was  occassionally  made  by  laying  slabs 
of  rock.  Chimneys  were  often  built  by  using  sticks  instead  of  bricks.  Clay 
filled  the  chinks  and  held  the  sticks  together.  The  inside  of  the  chimney  was 
then  daubed  with  clay.  Fireplaces  were  made  unusually  large  and  in  winter 
a  great  roaring  fire  was  a  necessary  and  cheerful  part  of  the  pioneer  life.  A 
door  made  of  puncheons,  hung  on  wooden,  home-made  hinges,  until  replaced 
by  a  door  of  sawed  lumber.  Windows  were  small.  At  first  there  was  but 
one  window,  sometimes  none,  and  that  one  admitted  light  through  greased 
paper.  Glass  was  a  luxury  that  came  later.  Blocks  of  wood  set  against  the 
wall  were  used  for  chairs,  and  a  slab  or  two  of  these  made  a  settee.  Tables 
were  made  of  slabs  supported  by  pegs,  driven  into  auger  holes. 

These  first  homes  were  one  room  homes.  There  was  often  to  be  found  a 
loft,  where  things  were  stored  and  where  members  of  the  family  slept.  Snow 
and  rain  could  not  be  kept  out  and  many  a  morning  when  the  pioneer  and 
his  family  awoke,  they  found  their  bed  clothing  covered  with  snow.  The 
cabin  was  usually  about  12  or  14  feet  long  and  10  or  12  feet  wide  and  about 
7  feet  high.  In  the  earliest  cabins,  cooking  was  done  on  the  fireplace.  The 
cooking  utensils  consisted  of  heavy  iron  tea-kettle  and  skillet,  a  coffee  pot  and 
maybe  a  boiling  or  stew  pot.  These  with  contents  were  placed  over  red  coals 
of  the  fireplace,  supported  by  pieces  of  stone  or  andirons  and  occasionally  a 
crane  would  be  found  swinging  a  steaming  pot  over  the  fire.  Simple  and 
plain?  Ah,  yes,  but  what  savory  meals  were  thus  prepared  and  set  on  the 
rude  table !  Food  for  strong  men  and  women  who  had  the  world's  work  to 
do.  Venison,  pork,  squirrel  or  wild  turkey,  potatoes  baked  in  the  ashes,  corn 
pones,  and  coffee,  We  breakfast  food  eaters  must  envy  them. 

The  one  room  home  presents  a  beautiful  picture.  Here,  porch,  parlor,  sit- 
ting room,  library,  bed  room  and  kitchen  were  crowded  into  one.  It  is  all  seen 
at  a  glance.  The  rough-hewed  logs,  clap-board  roof,  the  plain  furniture,  bed, 
cooking  utensils,  provisions,  pieces  of  half  dried  venison  and  pork,  and  seed, 
corn  hanging  from  the  loft ;  the  beds,  ax  and  rifle  and  powder-horn ;  the  mother 
knitting  or  darning;  the  father  mending  chairs  or  repairing  his  flintlock  and 
about  them  children,  usually  six  or  more,  and  all  lighted  up  by  the  roaring 
blaze  of  the  great  fireplace,  throwing  upon  the  sometimes  beautiful  white- 
washed walls  a  warmth  of  color  and  good  cheer  that  make  homelife  devoted 
and  happy.  Life  then,  as  now,  had  its  lights  as  well  as  its  shadows. 

At  first,  provisions  were  scarce.  Markets  were  40  and  50  miles  away  at 
best  and  money  was  scarce.  A  patient  industry  cleared  away  a  little  patch 
about  the  house  and  planted  it  in  grain  and  garden.  The  hoe  was  much  in  use. 
The  farmer  made  his  own  plow  and  drag;  in  fact,  all  his  farming  implements. 
Grain  was  threshed  out  with  flails,  or  clubs,  or  tramped  out  by  horses.  The 
grain  was  cut  with  sickles,  scythes  and  cradles.  There  were  no  mills  in  the 
county,  and  have  the  grain  ground  into  flour  and  meal  meant  a  long,  tiresome 
and  dangerous  journey  over  unbroken  roads  to  Gratiot,  Dixon  or  Galena  or 
Peoria.  At  times  this  was  out  of  the  question  and  the  settlers  prepared  meals 
in  most  rude  and  primitive  ways,  to  meet  with  immediate  necessities.  One 


Brown's  Mill   in  Early  D;iys 


Scioto   Mills 


Enleyanna  Mills,  Rock  Run 


\ 

ESS 


Brown's  Mill  at  present 


LIBRARY 
.  OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF  IUJNOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEFHENSON  COUNTY  139 

method  was  to  cut  down  a  large  oak  tree  and  build  a  fire  on  the  center  of  the 
stump  to  burn  out  the  heart  of  the  wood.  A  hole  was  then  chopped  into  the 
top  of  the  stump,  making  a  simple  mortar,  which  would  hold  about  a  peck  of 
grain.  An  ax  or  an  iron  wedge  was  used  as  a  pestle  to  crush  the  corn.  Occa- 
sionally a  "sweep"  similar  to  the  old  well  sweep  would  be  prepared  and  the 
iron  wedge  fastened  in  the  end  of  the  rod  made  a  simple  crusher.  The  coarse 
broken  grain  was  sifted  in  wire  or  deer-skin  sieves,  the  chaff  was  blown  out, 
and  a  coarse  meal  was  prepared  which  made  the  famous  corn  pommes  that 
were  baked  in  the  ashes.  Another  method  was  to  scrape  the  corn  on  "grit- 
ters,"  which  were  pieces  of  tin  with  holes  punched  in  it.  Scraping  the  corn 
over  the  rough  edges  produced  a  coarse  meal  which  was  baked  in  "dodgers" 
or  "pones." 

The  farmer  made  his  coat  and  pants  and  shirt  from  the  skins  of  deer  shot 
in  the  vicinity  and  tanned  at  home.  Coon  and  fox  furnished  ample  material 
for  his  caps.  Tea  and  coffee  often  ran  low  in  supply  and  peas,  wheat  and 
barley  were  used  as  substitutes.  There  were  periods  when  game  was  scarce 
and  a  bare  existence  was  all  that  was  to  be  had.  Often  the  hunter  would 
be  out  all  day  and  return  empty  handed.  There  are  reports  that  in  times  when 
meat  was  scarce,  men  were  glad  to  get  pork  enough  to  grease  a  griddle.  One 
man  made  a  hearty  meal  on  meat  rinds  that  had  done  service  in  this  way. 
The  same  man  said  he  had  worked  hard  for  weeks  at  a  time  on  no  other 
food  than  corn  meal  mixed  with  water. 

Mr.  William  Waddam's  first  farm  in  this  county  really  consisted  of  four 
acres,  located  in  the  timbers,  which  he  cleared  with  the  ax,  fenced,  and  planted 
in  corn  and  potatoes  without  the  assistance  of  teams.  Some  built  stables  and 
out  houses  for  hogs,  cattle  and  horses,  from  the  tough  prairie  sod.  Wild 
prairie  grass  afforded  an  abundance  of  hay. 

"GOING  TO  MILL." 

"Going  to  Mill"  was  a  hard  task  before  1838.  It  was  a  long  trip  to  Peoria 
or  Galena.  Travel  by  ox  teams  was  extremely  slow,  and  there  were  no  roads, 
bridges  and  but  few  ferries.  Such  travel  was  dangerous  in  rainy  seasons  and 
in  early  spring.  Many  a  pioneer  found  his  way  blocked  by  a  raging  river  and 
was  compelled  to  change  his  course.  For  wagon  and  team  to  get  mired  in  a 
swamp  was  a  frequent  and  sad  experience.  After  a  disheartening  journey,  the 
traveler  found  that  he  had  to  get  in  line  and  take  his  "turn."  "Going  to  Mill" 
was  especially  trying  because  the  father  never  could  be  sure  that  all  was  well 
with  his  family  left  at  home,  in  a  wild  western  region  with  Indians  lurking  about 
and  desperadoes  plentiful  enough.  It  was  a  day  of  great  rejoicing  when  mills 
were  established  in  the  county.  History  and  tradition  threads  many  an  inter- 
esting story  about  the  ruins  of  the  old  water  mills  of  Stephenson  County.  They 
served  their  purpose.  They  made  the  county  attractive  to  immigrants  and  has- 
tened the  closer  settlement  of  the  county.  The  county  owes  much  to  those 
pioneer  mill-builders,  Kirkpatrick,  Turner,  Van  Valzah,  Wilcoxen  and  Reitzell. 

William  E.  Ilgen  who  came  to  the  county  in  1842  said  that  when  the  mills 
at  Cedarville  were  inaccessible  the  corn  was  dried  in  a  stove  and  ground  in  a 


140  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

coffee  mill.     In  this  tedious  way  meal  was  prepared.     Reuben   Tower  ground 
twenty  bushels  of  buckwheat  in  a  coffee  mill  one  winter. 


RAISINGS. 

The  barn  or  house  "raisings"  were  as  much  a  social  affair  as  a  matter  of  in- 
dustry. When  a  citizen  had  his  logs  and  timbers  ready  and  on  the  ground,  he 
sent  out  word  to  the  neighbors  that  he  would  "raise"  his  building  on  a  certain 
day.  The  preparation  meant  hard  work.  The  owner  had  "homesteaded"  or 
had  bought  a  "claim"  and  maybe  with  his  family  lived  in  a  shanty  while  getting 
out  the  logs.  There  was  zest  in  the  work  of  the  settler  as  from  morning  till 
night  he  swung  the  ax,  felling  trees  in  the  grove.  He  was  building  a  home. 
The  trees  were  chopped  into  logs  and  sometimes  the  only  other  work  was  notch- 
ing the  ends.  Later,  men  used  both  axe  and  adz  and  hewed  the  logs  on  all 
sides.  This  additional  labor  made  a  closer,  warmer  and  more  beautiful  house. 

Early  on  the  day  of  the  "raising"  the  settlers  for  miles  around  drove  in  to 
lend  a  hand  and  enjoy  the  day.  The  women  and  children  came  also,  and  for 
them  it  was  a  kind  of  a  holiday.  The  men  set  lustily  to  work,  laying  the  heavy 
foundation  logs,  placing  the  puncheon  floor  and  cutting  the  logs  for  window 
and  door.  The  older  men  prepared  the  clay  or  mud  and  with  sticks  and  mud 
they  daubed  full  the  cracks  between  the  logs.  Others,  with  sticks  and  clay,  and 
rock  sometimes,  began  the  building  of  the  great  fireplace. 

At  the  noon  hour  all  hands  stopped  to  enjoy  the  feast,  an  informal  banquet. 
The  women  and  girls  had  work  to  do  and  did  it  with  as  much  spirit  and  joy  as 
the  men  put  into  theirs,  and  none  can  say  that  the  work  of  one  was  more  impor- 
tant than  the  other.  The  men  sat  down  to  a  heavily  laden  table,  under  the  shade 
of  some  friendly  tree  and  their  delight  was  equaled  only  by  the  conscious  pleas- 
ure of  the  women  who  had  prepared  the  dinner.  And  such  a  dinner !  Cabbage, 
potatoes,  beans,  corn  in  the  ear,  corn  pommes  from  the  Dutch  oven,  wheat 
bread,  and  meat — prairie  chicken,  turkey,  venison,  fresh  pork  or  beef  and  always 
coffee,  genuine  coffee.  (There  was  no  necessity  for  pure  food  laws.)  It  was 
a  social  hour,  eating,  visiting,  joking,  story-telling,  reports  of  letters  from  the 
east,  and  getting  acquainted  with  new  settlers.  How  the  women  and  the  girls 
passed  around  everything  time  and  again  and  urged  and  insisted  that  the  men 
and  boys  eat  and  eat  and  eat.  It  goes  without  saying  that  under  such  conditions 
the  men  ate  heartily,  partly  because  of  the  demands  of  the  frontier  appetite  and 
in  part  because  a  wincing,  skimpy  eater  would  lose  friends  among  the  ladies.  A 
frequent  figure  at  these  raisings  was  the  circuit  rider,  who  was  treated  as  a 
guest  of  honor. 

After  dinner  the  men  brought  forth  their  pipes  and  smoked  the  home-grown 
tobacco  to  their  hearts'  content.  They  talked,  told  yarns,  wrestled  and  had  a 
good  time.  Then,  while  the  women  ate  their  dinners  and  "did  the  dishes"  the 
men  set  to  work  again,  completing  the  house,  roof,  door  and  all.  The  plain 
household  furniture  was  moved  in  and  a  happy  family,  happier  likely  than  their 
descendants  in  modern  palaces,  took  possession  of  a  new,  clean  western  home. 


Orangeville  ilill 


Hess'  Mill 


Addams'  Mill,  Cedarville 


Mill  near   Fnnvell's  Bridge 


UBRMW 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSE  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  141 

QUILTINGS  AND  CORN    HUSKINGS. 

A  feature  of  early  socal  life  was  the  corn  husking  and  quilting  party  com- 
bined. For  days  before  the  word  was  passed  around  that  a  certain  citizen  was 
to  have  a  big  corn  husking  and  quilting  party.  It  was  not  an  exclusive  affair 
and  all  looked  forward  with  eager  anxiety  to  having  a  "big  time."  If  sleighing 
was  good,  so  much  the  merrier.  The  home  "chores"  were  early  done,  and  at 
nightfall  the  great  sled  loads  with  happy  and  large  families  drove  over  the 
winding  trail  to  the  appointed  place.  Some  of  the  young  people  went  in  sleighs 
conveniently  built  for  two.  Host  and  hostess  met  all  comers  with  a  joyous  "how 
do  you  do?"  The  teams  were  cared  for  and  when  the  merry  crowd  had  gath- 
ered and  unrestrained  greetings  were  passed  around,  the  program  of  the  evening 
began.  The  women  with  needles  and  thread  attacked  the  quilts  cheerfully  and 
found  that  quilting  and  conversation  went  well  together.  The  men  found  at 
the  barn  a  great  heap  of  snapped  corn  ready  for  the  huskers.  Lanterns  and 
candles  lighted  up  the  scene.  Some  of  the  women  joined  the  huskers  and  were 
good  "hands."  Girls  also  found  the  husking  party  more  interesting  than  the 
quilting  and,  just  naturally,  a  young  man  and  young  lady  would  be  found  husk- 
ing together,  both  pleased  in  the  extreme.  Little  children  played  in  the  great  pile 
of  husks,  the  merry  laughter  of  the  little  ones  adding  music  to  the  joyous  occa- 
sion. To  find  a  red  ear  of  corn  was  sure  to  bring  a  shout  from  the  busker,  for 
•  it  seemed  to  mean. an  extra  drink  of  cider  or — whatever  else  was  in  stock.  Husk- 
ing races  added  excitement  to  the  general  course  of  events. 

At  10.30  the  barn  floor  was  cleared  of  husks.  The  women  joined  the  men  at 
the  barn  and  pumpkin  pie  and  apples,  sweet  milk,  coffee  and  cider  were  served. 
When  the  lunch  was  over,  all  were  happier  than  before.  The  old  fiddler  had 
already  started  to  tune  up,  and  began  to  saw  away  as  only  the  old  time  fiddler 
can,  on  the  familiar  quadrilles  and  hornpipes  of  the  day.  After  more  or  less 
"natural  selections"  of  partners,  based  on  attachments  formed  at  the  huskings, 
or  of  longer  standing,  the  young  people  and  the  older  people  all  together  joined 
in  the  "grand  promenade,"  and  danced  merrily  away  till  the  approach  of  the 
morning  hours.  Many  a  woman  of  fifty  was  a  good  dancer  in  those  days  and  a 
feature  now,  all  but  lost,  sadly  lost,  was  the  dancing  of  old  and  young  together. 
Of  necessity,  the  social  spirit  was  strongly  pervaded  by  a  spirit  of  co-operation. 
Sociability  was  free  and  natural — spontaneous  as  the  great  democratic  life  the 
people  lived.  Social  distinctions,  narrow-minded  exclusiveness,  deadening  forms 
studied  with  mathematical  precision,  artificial  social  relations,  were  foreign  to 
the  pioneers,  being  reserved  for  the  cold,  spiritless  manufactured  society  of  a 
later  day. 

CUTTING   GRAIN. 

Small  crops  were  a  necessity,  not  only  because  of  the  small  clearing,  but  also 
because  of  the  primitive  means  of  harvesting.  For  several  years  the  scythe  and 
the  cradle  were  the  only  means  of  cutting  the  wheat.  The  first  cradle  was  a 
straight-handled  affair,  called  the  "Turkey-wing."  When  the  "Grapevine"  cra- 
dle was  first  introduced  men  who  were  accustomed  to  the  "Turkey-wing"  thought 
they  could  not  use  the  "innovation." 


142  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Captain  W.  J.  Reitzell,  who  settled  Buena  Vista  June,  1840,  says  that  two 
acres  a  day  was  good  cradling.  Some  men  cradled  two  and  one-half  to  three 
and  one-half.  One  dollar  a  day  paid  for  cradling.  Occasionally  the  life  of 
the  community  was  enlivened  by  a  race  between  two  or  more  "champion"  cra- 
dlers.  After  the  cradle  came  the  mower,  which  was  a  great  improvement  be- 
cause horse  power  was  used.  Then  the  "drop"  was  added  to  the  mower  and 
the  machine  cut  the  wheat  and  by  foot  power  the  driver  dropped  it  in  bunches. 
It  kept  three  or  four  men  busy,  usually  four,  binding  the  business  with  the  straw 
and  throwing  the  bundles  out  of  the  way  of  the  machine  on  the  next  round. 
To  take  his  turn  and  keep  out  of  the  way  of  the  machine  was  one  of  the  tests 
of  manhood,  strength  and  endurance,  and  when  a  boy  could  take  his  place  and 
do  his  part  along  with  the  man,  he  was  graduated  into  a  man's  work  and  felt 
the  importance  of  the  occasion.  Besides  a  driver  and  four  binders,  two  men 
were  required  to  shock  the  grain.  Six  to  ten  acres  a  day  was  good  work. 

After  the  "drop"  came  the  table  rake.  This  machine  had  a  platform  on 
which  the  grain  fell,  and  a  revolving  rake  swept  the  bunches  to  one  side  out  of 
the  way  of  the  machine  on  the  next  round.  The  next  step  was  the  Marsh  Har- 
vester, with  an  elevated  platform  upon  which  the  grain  was  placed  by  an  end- 
less canvas.  Two  men  stood  by  the  platform  and  bound  the  grain  with  straw 
as  it  came  up  to  them.  This  was  supposed  to  be  the  height  of  man's  invention, 
but  it  was  not  long  till  a  greater  invention  followed.  This  was  the  self- 
binder.  As  soon  as  the  Marsh  Harvester  was  set  to  work,  inventors'  minds  be- 
came busy  with  the  idea  of  bringing  the  bundles  of  grain  by  machinery.  This 
was  the  most  complicated  step  of  all.  Machinery  had  to  gather  up  the  straw, 
metal  arms  had  to  squeeze  it  into  a  tight  bundle  and  a  threaded  needle  had  to 
reach  around  the  bundle  and  tie  it  tight  with  wire  or  twine,  making  a  firm  knot. 
It  was  several  years  before  the  knotter  was  perfected,  but  it  did  the  work  after 
a  while  better  than  it  was  done  by  human  hands.  It  was  only  a  few  more  years 
till  a  "muncher"  was  added  to  the  machine.  With  this  contrivance  the  driver 
could  drop  several  bundles  at  the  same  spot,  and  the  labor  of  setting  the  bundles 
up  in  shocks  was  greatly  lessened.  Now  with  the  self-binder  three  men  can 
cut  and  shock  ten  to  fifteen  acres  a  day  and  do  it  better  than  seven  or  eight 
men  with  the  old  drop  machine.  In  some  communities,  laborers  were  antago- 
nistic to  the  binder.  They  felt  that  soon  there  would  not  be  a  demand  for  labor 
and  what  would  they  do  for  a  living?  In  places  men  set  out  as  a  kind  of  "night 
riders"  and  burned  the  machines  in  the  field.  Time  has  proved  that  invention 
and  machinery  has  increased  the  demand  for  labor  till  it  is  more  difficult  now 
than  ever  before  to  get  enough  men  to  do  the  work. 

Captain  Reitzell  says  that  most  farm  hands  worked  for  $8.00  a  month.  Some 
of  the  best  got  $10.00.  Hired  girls  got  SQC  a  week.  Now  farm  hands  get  $25.00 
and  $40.00  a  month,  and  often  keep  a  horse  and  buggy  and  get  Saturday  after- 
noons off.  Hired  girls  get  $3.00  to  $5.00  a  week.  Even  at  these  prices  it  is 
difficult  to  get  men  and  girls  to  work  on  the  farm. 

THRESHING    GRAIN. 

From  the  time  that  the  early  settlers  threshed  grain  with  a  flail  to  the 
traction  engine  and  modern  thresher  is  a  long  road  of  history,  but  it  has  all  been 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  143 

seen  in  Stephenson  County  from  1833  to  1910.  The  flail  was  a  simple  thresh- 
ing machine.  It  consisted  usually  of  a  stick  about  like  a  pitch  fork  handle, 
with  a  rope  about  a  yard  long  to  the  end  of  which  were  attached  two  slats 
about  the  same  length.  Seizing  the  handle,  a  man  would  swing  it  through 
the  air  bringing  it  down  on  the  straws,  the  slats  striking  with  great  force,  shat- 
tering out  the  grain.  Sometimes  a  limb  of  a  tree  with  branches  on  it  was  used. 
Frequently  horses  were  used  to  tramp  it  out,  walking  over  the  piled  up  straw. 
The  straw  was  then  lifted  away,  the  grain  and  chaff  was  gathered  up  and 
"winded,"  separating  the  grain  from  the  chaff.  Like  most  primitive  agricul- 
tural processes  these  were  slow  and  tedious  methods.  However,  in  one  sea- 
son, W.  L.  Beebe  threshed  2,200  bushel  with  a  flail.  Later  screens  were  used 
to  separate  grain  and  chaff.  Then  the  old  "fanning"  was  invented.  The  old 
horse-power  thresher  invaded  the  county  in  1839.  The  cylinder  for  beating 
out  the  grain  was  the  essential  element.  At  first  the  "teeth"  were  made  of 
wood,  which  were  soon  replaced  by  metal.  The  grain  dropped  through  screens 
and  the  straw  was  carried  on,  while  a  fan  blew  out  the  chaff/  When  the  first 
rude  thresher  on  wheels  threshed  William  Waddam's  grain  in  1839,  it  aroused 
considerable  criticism  and  was  looked  upon  by  some  with  suspicion.  The  pow^r 
was  furnished  by  horses  driven  around  a  cylinder,  which  gained  speed  by 
means  of  cog  wheels.  The  cog  wheel  turned  an  iron  rod  which  turned  the 
cylinder  and  other  machinery  of  the  separator  by  means  of  another  cog  wheel. 
These  simple  outfits,  while  made  almost  entirely  in  a  small  shop,  contained  the 
essential  elements  of  the  modern  threshing  outfit.  The  traction  steam  and  gaso- 
line engine  has  taken  the  place  of  the  horse  power;  a  belt  replaces  the  rod 
cylinder  and  screens  have  been  perfected ;  a  "blower"  removes  the  straw  instead 
of  the  endless  canvas,  and  the  grain  is  weighed  into  sacks  or  wagons.  Until 
about  1890  two  men  stood  on  the  platform  and  cut  the  bands  with  pocket 
knives  and  the  bundles  were  thrown  from  the  wagon  to  the  table.  Another 
man  stood  between  them  and  "fed"  the  machine,  reaching  to  right  and  left 
and  shoveling  the  wheat  or  barley  into  the  cylinder.  It  was  hard  work,  dusty 
and  dangerous.  He  had  a  chance  to  get  cut  with  the  knives  of  band  cutters, 
to  get  an  arm  torn  out  in  the  cylinder,  or  to  get  killed  by  flying  cylinder  teeth 
broken  by  a  rock  caught  up  in  a  bundle.  About  1890  the  band  cutters  and  feed- 
ers were  replaced  by  machinery. 

Stacking  the  straw  was  another  hard  and  dusty  task.  Before  the  day  of 
the  blower,  several  men  were  required  to  stack  the  straw.  The  worst  position 
was  at  the  "tail  end"  of  the  machine.  A  man  had  to  stand  there  under 
an  August  sun  and,  smothered  in  clouds  of  straw  and  chaff  keep  back  the  straw 
with  a  pitchfork.  This  was  a  position  at  which  many  men  "shied"  and  all 
were  glad  when  the  "blower"  or  "cyclone"  thresher  stacked  the  straw  without 
the  use  of  men.  The  traction  engine,  the  self  band  cutters  and  feeders,  the 
automatic  weigher  and  the  cyclone  stacker  have  reduced  the  number  of  men 
employed  by  half. 

Threshing  was  a  hard  proposition  for  the  women.  Thirty  years  ago  it  was 
not  uncommon  for  the  farmer's  wife  to  feed  thirty  or  forty  men  while  thresh- 
ing. The  neighbors  joined  forces,  made  a  schedule  and  went  through  the 
neighborhood  threshing.  The  women  co-operated  in  feeding  the  men. 


144  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

And  such  threshing  dinners  as  they  used  to  get  up.  To  attempt  adequate 
description  would  be  futile.  There  was  a  rivalry  to  some  extent  among  the 
women  to  see  who  would  get  up  the  best  and  most  elaborate  meals.  Quanti- 
ties of  bread  and  pies  were  baked  a  day  or  two  before.  Great  fresh  beef  roasts 
were  procured,  sometimes  mutton,  and  added  to  this  chicken  with  soup  and 
dumplings.  Then  there  were  great  pots  of  string  beans,  roasting-ears,  peas, 
tomatoes,  sliced  in  vinegar,  and  stewed,  baked  sweet  potatoes  and  Irish  pota- 
toes creamed,  mashed  and  baked.  These  substantials  were  heaped  into  great 
bowls,  dishes  or  tureens  and  set  on  a  long  table,  often  under  the  shade  of  a 
tree.  Around  the  substantials  were  glasses  and  dishes  of  jellies,  preserves  and 
honey,  molasses  and  stewed  fruit.  Copius  supplies  of  milk  and  coffee  were 
served,  and  then  came  stacks  of  pies  and  cake  of  all  makes  and  descriptions. 

Withal,  it  was  one  grand  glorious  time.  When  the  whistle  blew  for  din- 
ner, the  men  made  a  grand  stampede  for  that  table.  Faces  and  hands  were 
soused  in  tubs  of  water,  and  without  ceremony  all  hands  "fell  to"  with  ap- 
petites to  be  envied.  The  men  joked  and  laughed  and  ate.  The  farmer's  wife 
with  a  half  dozen  neighbor's  wives  on  her  staff  superintended  the  dinner.  The 
young  girls  of  the  neighborhood,  dressed  in  their  best,  "waited"  on  the  table, 
and  lingered  here  and  there  to  say  a  word  to  some  blushing  boy  who  was 
glad  to  be  present.  Happy  days  for  them  all ! 

It  was  hard,  dirty,  dusty  work  for  men  and  boys,  and  nerve-wracking  labor 
for  the  women,  but  it  was  a  grand  feature  of  country  life,  because  an  entire 
neighborhood  were  working  together  in  a  common  cause.  It  added  unity,  in- 
terest and  joy  to  county  life.  But  it  has  practically  passed  away  and  if  the 
rural  communities  do  not  devise  some  way  of  bringing  the  people  of  neigh- 
borhood and  township  in  a  happy  enthusiastic  unity,  it  shall  have  a  lost  a  re- 
deeming feature  of  country  life. 


MARKETS  AND  PRICES. 


Before  the  railroad  came  into  the  county  there  could  be  no  large  town 
The  absence  of  the  railroad  and  towns  deprived  the  people  of  home  and  foreign 
markets.  Most  of  the  people  were  farmers.  There  were  but  few  professional 
men.  Consequently  the  people  produced  more  than  they  consumed.  There 
was  no  market  for  the  surplus  products  nearer  than  Galena,  Dixon,  Savannah, 
Mineral  Point  and  Chicago. 

Prices  were  extremely  low.  Mr.  Charles  Graves  of  McConnell  says  his 
father  hauled  beef  and  pork  to  Galena  and  sold  it  dressed  at  $1.25  a  hundred. 
Hogs  were  so  cheap  that  on  one  occasion  when  one  jumped  out  of  a  wagon  on 
the  way  to  market  the  owner  told  a  man  driving  on  the  road  he  could  have  it,  as 
he  did  not  have  time  to  bother  with  it.  From  all  points  in  the  county  pork  was 
hauled  to  distant  markets  and  sold  at  $1.25  to  $2.00  a  hundred.  Grain  was 
hauled  to  Savannah,  and  shipped  to  New  Orleans  on  flat  boats.  When  the  cargo 
was  sold  the  boat  was  sold  for  lumber  and  the  owner  began  his  slow  and  tedious 
return  journey.  The  lead  mine  region  markets  soon  became  over-stocked  and 
prices  fell  to  almost  nothing.  Chicago  then  was  a  better  market,  but  over  a 
hundred  miles  through  mire  and  swamp  with  ox  teams  to  market  was  not  likely 


. 


nil 

'i  WOOLEN  HILLS 

111 


FREErORT  WOOLEN    MILLS  IN  1871 


RESIDENCE  OF  C.  AND  C.  J.  RKITZELL,    BUENA   VISTA,    IN    1STI 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  145 

to  be  relished  by  farmers.  Yet  the  early  farmers  did  it.  With  four  or  five 
yoke  of  oxen  hitched  to  a  lumber  wagon,  pastured  by  night  about  the  wayside 
camp,  the  pioneer  farmer  drove  through  dangerous  sloughs  and  over  unbroken 
roads  to  Chicago,  right  glad  to  be  able  to  sell  his  wheat  at  500  a  bushel.  He 
occasionally  made  some  money  by  bringing  out  settlers  from  Chicago  or  hauling 
out  supplies  for  the  merchants.  Usually  he  received  his  pay  from  the  merchants 
in  goods  from  the  store.  Hauling  immigrants,  however,  was  a  delight,  because 
that  usually  gave  the  farmer  some  much  to  be  desired  coin  of  the  realm. 

The  one  thing  that  was  eventually  a  great  aid  to  the  thrifty  settler  was  the 
price  of  land.  Homesteads  could  be  entered  and  claims  partly  or  wholly 
proved  up  could  be  bought  from  $5.00  to  $10.00  an  acre.  Many  men  got  pos- 
session of  good  land  between  1840  and  1850  at  almost  nothing  and  held  to  it, 
till  with  the  advent  of  the  railroad,  the  tide  towards  high  prices  set  in,  and  the 
log  cabin  settler  found  himself  a  wealthy  man.  He  appropriated  the  unearned 
increment,  which  Henry  George  maintained  should  belong  to  society. 

Eggs  were  sold  at  5c  a  dozen.  Often  people  did  not  gather  them  up.  Chick- 
ens had  no  market  and  farmers  gave  them  little  attention,  leaving  them  to  roost 
in  trees  and  take  care  of  themselves.  Hogs  were  sometimes  as  high  as  $2.00  to 
$3.00  per  hundred.  Mr.  Wm.  Waddams  sold  dressed  pork  at  il/2c  a  pound. 
He  hauled  his  produce  to  Galena  or  to  Chicago. 

In  driving  to  market  at  Galena,  Dixon  or  Chicago  the  farmers  would  join 
together  and  go  in  considerable  numbers.  They  took  provisions  and  cooking 
utensils  to  camp  at  night,  sleeping  under  the  wagons  protected  by  blankets.  The 
roads  were  bad  and  in  places  the  men  joined  teams  to  pull  one  another  through 
the  mud  holes. 

When  Mr.  Fred  Bohlender  came  to  this  county  in  1844  he  built  the  usual  log 
house.  Several  years  later  when  he  decided  to  build  a  frame  house,  he  hauled 
the  lumber  from  Chicago,  over  too  miles.  Wm.  Dively  hauled  lumber  from 
Galena.  John  A.  Wright  says  wheat  was  worth  3oc  and  corn  roc  and  i2c,  and 
was  hauled  to  Chicago.  Henry  Wohlford  hauled  his  first  crops  to  Chicago  by 
horse  and  ox  teams.  One  trip  required  eleven  days  and  his  receipts  were  not 
enough  to  pay  expenses.  Zacharia  Gage,  of  Lena,  came  from  England,  and 
landed  in  Middleport,  New  York,  with  $15.00.  He  and  his  wife  both  worked 
for  a  farmer  for  $16.00  per  month.  He  cut  cord  wood  at  310  a  cord  and  har- 
vested for  $1.25  a  day.  Levi  Robey  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  postage 
on  a  letter  cost  25c.  The  worst  of  it  was  that  25c  was  hard  to  find,  specie  being 
a  negligible  quantity  in  a  frontier  community.  Richard  Parriott,  Sr.,  of  Buckeye 
township,  made  many  round  trips  to  Chicago  often  requiring  seven  to  ten  days. 

Anson  A.  Babcock,  who  came  from  New  York  to  Stephenson  County  in  a 
sleigh  in  1839,  carted  three  hundred  bushels  of  wheat  to  Chicago  one  winter  by 
team.  W.  L.  Beebe  hauled  grain  with  his  team  for  SQC  a  day.  Benjamin  God- 
dard  saw  wheat  sold  at  25c  a  bushel.  He  has  told  of  a  man  named  Hill  who 
carted  a  load  of  wheat  to  Chicago  whose  expenses  amounted  to  $9.00  more  than 
he  got  for  his  wheat.  John  Wright  bought  land  at  $1.25  an  acre  in  1843.  ^n 
1839  Lewis  Grigsby  plowed  where  Freeport  now  stands  and  in  1835  rafted 
100,000  ponunds  of  lead  down  the  river  from  Hamilton's  Diggings.  Reuben 
Tower,  of  Massachusetts,  settled  near  Lena  in  1844.  He  ground  twenty  bushels 


146  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

of  buckwheat  in  a  coffee  mill.  Joseph  Kramer  paid  $9.00  an  acre  for  land  in 
Rock  Grove  township  in  1846. 

William  E.  Ilgen,  Dakota  township,  hauled  wheat  to  Chicago  and  sold  it  at 
35c  a  bushel.  Joseph  Lamm,  Silver  Creek  township,  assisted  his  father  to  haul 
to  Chicago.  Their  usual  load  was  about  100  bushels,  driving  five  to  six  yoke 
of  oxen.  Powell  Colby  marketed  hay  at  $1.25  a  ton. 

The  pioneer  surroundings  had  many  redeeming  features.  Wild  flowers  were 
abundant  and  of  great  variety  and  beauty.  There  were  also  hickory  nuts,  but- 
ternuts, black  walnuts,  and  hazel  nuts.  For  fruits  the  people  had  crabapples, 
wild-plums,  thorn  apples,  blackberries,  grapes  and  raspberries.  Game  was  plen- 
tiful. There  was  an  abundance  of  deer,  wolves,  wildcats,  coon,  muskrats,  squir- 
rels, woodchucks,  wild  geese,  ducks,  quail,  loon,  gull,  pigeons,  wild  turkeys  and 
prairie  chickens.  Wild  honey  was  found  in  ample  quantities.  The  streams  were 
well  stocked  with  fish  and  these  were  readily  procured  from  the  Indians.  In 
the  midst  of  such  surroundings  in  addition  to  the  garden  produce  and  corn 
bread  the  pioneer's  table  was  not  likely  to  be  lightly  laden.  However,  it  is  said 
that  many  a  man  went  to  a  hard  day's  work  on  a  breakfast  of  "suckers  fried  in 
water." 

One  of  John  Tureaure's  sons  trapped  $50.00  worth  of  prairie  chickens  and, 
being  musically  inclined,  sent  to  Buffalo  and  got  a  melodion.  John  A.  Wright 
in  his  diary  says  game  was  plentiful  in  early  days  and  often  a  settler  had  only 
to  go  a  few  steps  from  his  door,  level  his  gun  at  deer  or  turkey.  Henry  Wohl- 
ford  found  game  plentiful  and  said  that  the  settlers  were  never  without  the 
luxury  of  fresh,  sweet  meat.  It  is  told  that  while  some  pioneers  were  attending 
church,  pioneer  sportsmen  shot  deer  on  the  site  of  the  courthouse  in  Freeport. 
George  Trotter,  a  settler  in  Buckeye,  1835,  found  game  plentiful.  He  once 
killed  two  deer  with  a  shot.  Herds  of  deer  and  flocks  of  prairie  chickens  were 
found  in  abundance  about  Cedarville  and  the  inhabitants  depended  mainly  on 
the  gun  for  meat. 

In  1836  Silas  Gage  found  deer,  turkey,  bear,  wolves  and  other  wild  game  so 
plentiful  about  Winslow  that  they  were  almost  troublesome.  Mr.  A.  C.  Martin, 
who  has  lived  near  McConnell  since  1854,  says  that  many  a  time  he  has  seen  a 
herd  of  deer  come  out  of  a  grove  opposite  his  father's  house.  Wolves  were 
numerous  and  played  havoc  with  many  a  flock  of  sheep.  Mr.  Charles  Graves, 
the  McConnell  postmaster,  says  game  was  plentiful  in  the  early  days.  The  last 
bear  that  appeared  in  the  community  around  McConnell,  came  from  the  hog- 
back up  the  river  and  went  on  his  way  across  towards  the  Waddams  settle- 
ment. 

POISONOUS   SNAKES. 

Next  to  horsethieves,  poisonous  snakes  caused  as  much  trouble  as  any  other 
one  factor  in  the  new  settlements.  Here  were  the  moccasin,  the  black  rattlesnake, 
racers  and  the  massasauga  or  yellow  rattlesnake.  The  bite  of  poisonous  reptiles 
was  fatal  if  known  remedies  were  not  promptly  applied.  This  was  not  always 
possible  and  many  a  boy  and  man  gave  up  his  life  on  the  frontier  because  of  the 
venomous  sting  of  a  poisonous  reptile.  There  was  some  excitement  and  hus- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  147 

tling  when  a  farmer  picked  up  a  sheaf  of  oats  and  found  a  rattlesnake  m  it. 

With  his  family  and  friends  a  man  in  Rock  Run  one  day  started  fishing.  One 
of  the  lads  suddenly  cried  out  with  great  pain,  thinking  he  had  stubbed  his  toe. 
An  investigation  showed  plainly  that  the  boy  had  been  bitten  by  a  venomous 
snake.  The  father  hurried  the  boy  home  as  fast  as  possible  while  another 
summoned  a  physician,  but  it  was  too  late.  The  poison  spread  through  the  boy's 
system,  and  he  died  before  night. 

Another  incident  related  is  in  regard  to  an  Irishman  near  Rock  City.  He 
was  plowing  in  a  field  and  was  bitten  in  the  calf  of  the  leg  by  a  rattlesnake. 
Being  far  away  from  any  medicinal  remedy,  he  "whipped  out  his  knife  and 
cutting  a  piece  out  of  that  portion  of  his  leg,  continued  his  plowing."  It  was  a 
radical  remedy  but  saved  his  life. 

FRONTIER   LIFE. 

Mr.  Franklin  Reed  of  Pontiac,  Illinois,  wrote  in  1877  as  follows:  "April  29, 
1831,  I  arrived  with  my  father's  family  at  Buffalo  Grove  (Polo,  Illinois).  May 
a  we  had  our  cabin  ready  to  move  into.  It  was  the  typical  log  cabin  cut  out  of 
the  green  trees.  The  floor  was  laid  of  bark  with  the  smooth  side  down.  Large 
flat  stones  were  set  up  against  a  side  of  the  house  in  which  we  could  build  a 
fire  till  we  had  time  to  make  a  chimney. 

About  the  cabin  was  a  wild  wilderness  of  grass-burned  prairie  as  far  as  the  eye 
could  see.  We  made  a  garden  and  broke  14  acres  and  planted  it  in  corn.  The 
Indians  were  lingering  around  their  old  hunting  grounds.  Once  we  fled  by  way 
of  Kellog's  Grove  to  Apple  River  Fort  for  safety.  Game  was  plentiful.  I 
have  seen  twenty  or  thirty  deer  in  a  grove  at  once.  In  the  spring  of  1832  we 
fled  again,  this  time  to  Dixon  on  account  of  the  Black  Hawk  War.  In  1833  we 
we  forted  again. 

Mrs.  Jacob  Burbridge  of  Lena,  a  daughter  of  William  Waddams,  who  was 
the  first  permanent  settler  in  Stephenson  County,  told  the  following  in  regard 
to  frontier  life,  in  1891  at  the  age  of  75:  "I  was  born  in  1816.  My  father  was 
William  Waddams,  the  founder  of  Waddams  Grove.  Our  family  numbered 
13,  but  I  don't  know  as  we  had  any  particular  bad  luck  because  of  that. 
We  moved  to  Indiana  when  I  was  a  year  and  a  half  old.  There  my  father  owned 
a  grist  mill  and  a  distillery.  Those  two  went  together  in  early  days,  for  when 
with  him  some  good  old  rye.  The  people  then  always  believed  in  keeping  it  in 
the  farmer  brought  his  maize  and  wheat  to  be  ground  he  must  needs  take  back 
the  house  in  case  of  sickness,  you  know. 

"Of  course  we  had  to  move  with  the  tide.  I  believe  some  of  the  people 
never  got  tired  of  going  West.  We  settled  next  near  Peoria,  Illinois.  On  our 
journey  west,  we  came  across  an  Indian  camp,  ran  them  all  out  and  scared 
them  to  death.  We  stayed  at  Peoria  a  twelvemonth,  and  then  came  northward. 
I  rode  a  horse  during  the  journey  and  with  my  brother,  who  walked,  drove  the 
family  cow  towards  the  promised  land.  They  claimed  that  milk  and  honey 
flowed  there  and  I  guess  they  were  about  right. 

"I  went  to  school  at  Galena  for  a  time.  There  were  about  fifty  scholars  and 
the  Presbyterian  minister,  a  goodly  sort  of  man,  instructed  us  in  'reading',  ritin' 


148  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

and  'rithmetic'  and  licking.  Being  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  he  thought  it  not 
becoming  for  him  to  do  the  whipping,  so  he  had  someone  do  it  for  him.  It  al- 
ways seemed  to  me  that  he  picked  out  the  biggest,  stoutest,  most  terrible  man  in 
the  settlement.  It  appeared,  too,  that,  being  paid  for  his  work,  he  would  not 
have  it  said  that  he  was  not  worthy  of  his  hire.  I  always  escaped  the  terrible 
ordeal,  but  I  saw  others  go  through  it  and  that  satisfied  me. 

"Father  dug  lead  ore  in  Galena  for  awhile,  and  then  moved  out  of  town  and 
had  a  vegetable  garden  and  kept  bees.  One  night  the  Indians  came  and  stole 
all  our  garden  stuff  and  honey.  Then  we  went  to  Shullsburg,  Wisconsin,  where 
father  worked  in  the  mines.  We  lived  there  two  years.  We  also  lived  at  Apple 
River  and  at  White  Oak  Springs,  keeping  a  hotel  at  the  latter  place.  It  was 
twelve  miles  to  the  nearest  neighbor.  Mother  and  I  were  in  the  fort  when  Sylvia 
and  Rachel  Hall  were  brought  in  from  the  Indian  camp,  during  the  Black  Hawk 
War.  They  had  no  clothes  fit  to  wear  and  we  went  to  work  and  made  them 
some  clothes.  During  the  war  people  crowded  into  the  fort  till  about  all  of  them 
were  sick.  We  stayed  only  one  night,  as  father  said  he  would  just  as  soon  be 
killed  by  the  Indians  as  to  go  there  and  get  sick  and  die.  My  father  had  some 
exciting  encounters  with  the  redskins  previous  to  the  war.  At  one  time  there 
were  three  of  them  in  the  house.  They  became  angry  at  him  and  were  going  to 
strike  him  down.  He  grabbed  up  a  rolling  pin  and  struck  three  of  them  to  the 
floor. 

"My  father  built  the  first  cabin  at  Waddams  Grove.  He  had  seven  hundred 
acres  of  ground  where  he  settled.  Our  neighbors  were  all  Indians  and  we 
learned  to  talk  their  language  as  well  as  our  own.  I  wish  I  could  talk  German  as 
well  as  I  can  Winnebago. 

"One  day  a  party  of  Indians  came  to  our  door-yard  and  demanded  of  father 
that  we  surrender  or  they  would  kill  us.  He  made  reply  that  they  should  come 
on,  and  that  he  would  pay  them  well  in  lead  for  every  step  they  took.  They 
soon  after  filed  off  without  as  much  as  firing  at  us. 

"One  evening  father  called  us  to  the  door.  When  we  looked  out  we  were 
surprised  to  see  everything  as  light  as  day.  The  heavens  were  so  light  you 
could  pick  up  a  pin  from  the  ground.  From  the  east  and  west  there  arose  two 
balls  of  fire  and  slowly  moved  across  the  heavens  towards  each  other.  When 
they  had  come  together  the  sky  darkened  as  before.  This  was  in  the  closing 
days  of  the  war  and  father  said  it  was  a  sign  that  the  war  was  over  and  we 
would  have  peace. 

XI  remember  a  terrible  storm  that  occurred  while  we  lived  in  Galena.  One 
fellow  living  near  us  was  flooded  out  and  came  over  to  our  house.  We  had  no 
bed  for  him  so  he  climbed  up  in  the  cone  of  the  roof  and  slept  on  the  cross 
pieces.  When  morning  dawned,  he  spread  out  his  arms  and  crowed  like  a 
rooster.  This  goes  to  show  that  we  took  things  as  we  found  them  in  those  days. 

"The  keel  boat  that  brought  vegetables  up  to  us  from  St.  Louis  was  attacked 
at  one  time  by  the  redskins  and  all  but  one  man  was  killed.  He  took  up  the  dead 
men's  gun  and  kept  shooting  till  he  routed  the  Indians.  He  reached  our  settle- 
ment in  safety  but  his  hat  and  coat  were  riddled  with  bullets. 

"In  the  early  days  we  found  the  skeletons  of  Indians  scattered  over  the  prai- 
ries. You  see,  they  never  buried  their  dead  in  the  ground,  but  put  them  on  plat- 


Old  French  Hotel  Where  Mac-kny   Building 
Now  Stands 


The  Hunt  Home — an  Old  Stage  Tavern 


Stage  Tavern  at  Eleroy 


Stage  Barn  at  Waddams 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  149 

forms  supported  by  poles,  which  in  the  course  of  time  would  decay,  topple  down 
and  leave  the  bones  bleaching  in  the  sun. 

"The  children  used  to  take  the  skulls  of  Indians,  and  using  the  jaw-bones 
for  runners,  make  sleds  of  them.  In  winter  time  it  was  a  peculiar  sight  to  see 
the  children  spinning  down  the  hillside,  sitting  triumphantly  on  the  skulls  of 
departed  braves." 

Mrs.  Matilda  Boyle,  in  a  letter  read  at  a  meeting  of  the  survivors  of  the  Black 
Hawk  war  says  she  was  born  in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  1802,  and  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  1825.  She  married  Mr.  Boyle  and  settled  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
state.  They  lived  in  a  one  room  log  cabin,  the  only  light  of  which  came  through 
a  greased  paper.  She  often  left  the  bread-dough  unbaked  and  rushed  to  a 
near  by  fort  at  the  alarm  of  marauding  Indians.  "I  once  remember  when 
alone  in  our  cabin  in  1831,  an  armed  Indian  with  hideously  painted  face,  bounded 
in  at  the  open  door.  So  stealthily  had  he  come,  that  the  dog  which  was  asleep 
at  the  door  sill  never  awakened.  The  Indian  warmed  his  hands  at  the  fire, 
stared  around  but  said  nothing.  His  face  was  painted  red,  striped  with  black, 
with  white  about  the  eyes.  We  supposed  he  belonged  to  Black  Hawk's  band." 

LARGE  FAMILIES  OF  THE  PIONEER  TIMES. 

Seventy-seven  years  have  wrought  a  wonderful  change  in  Stephenson 
County.  Conditions  that  surrounded  the  people  of  the  first  generation  afford 
many  sharp  contrasts  with  conditions  as  they  are  today.  One  of  the  character- 
istics of  the  early  day  was  the  large  family.  Small  families  were  the  exception. 
It  was  not  uncommon  before  1860  to  find  families  of  ten  to  fifteen  children. 
From  six  to  eight  was  an  average  family.  Four  children  were  called  a  small 
family. 

There  are  many  reasons,  no  doubt,  that  explains  the  marked  contrast  with 
the  present  tendencies  toward  "race  suicide."  The  early  settlers  who  came 
from  the  older  States  or  from  Europe  were  a  vigorous  lot  of  people.  The 
weaker  element  had  not  the  courage  or  the  initiative  to  face  the  dangers  and 
trials  of  frontier  travel  and  settlement.  The  people  here  lived  largely  the  out- 
door life.  Fortunately  they  lived  in  a  day  in  which  insipid  breakfast  foods,  cold 
storage  eatables,  and  destructive  delicacies  were  unknown.  Their  clothing  was 
as  simple  and  plain  as  their  log  cabin  life.  The  cost  of  rearing  children  was  not 
great.  There  was  an  abundance  of  work  at  hand  and  children  were  a  good 
investment.  Besides,  land  was  plentiful  and  cheap  and  the  chances  for  children 
to  acquire  farms  and  a  competence  were  good.  Industrial/  life  was  developed 
only  along  a  few  lines,  and  the  intricate  and  complicated  specialization  of  today 
was  unknown.  In  fact,  parents  could  look  forward  to  the  rearing  of  large 
families  with  far  less  anxiety  than  in  such  a  social  and  industrial  system  as 
now  prevails.  But  generalization  is  too  easy,  and  too  indefinite.  A  few  in- 
stances of  large  families  of  the  pioneer  times,  with  the  observation  at  hand 
today,  will  enable  the  reader  to  arrive  at  his  own  conclusion.  Whether  the 
old  system  of  large  families  is  a  better  means  of  building  up  a  progressive 
civilization,  as  Mr.  Roosevelt  seems -to  think,  or  whether  a  smaller  family,  with 


150  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

more  attention  paid  to  the  education  and  training  of  the  children,  is  the  panacea, 
each  individual  must  judge  for  himself. 

Mr.  Frederick  Baker,  whose  father  was  the  first  settler  in  Freeport,  had 
eight  children.  Fred  Bauch,  florist,  a  native  of  Prussia,  had  ten  children; 
Charles  Baumgarten's  family  consisted  of  six  children;  W.  L.  Beebe,  eight  chil- 
dren, six  boys  and  two  girls;  Robert  Bell,  five  children;  M.  D.  Chamberlain, 
six  children ;  Powell  Colby,  six  children ;  Albertus  Collman,  six ;  C.  O.  Collman, 
nine ;  John  Erf ert,  seven ;  E.  C.  Fitch,  six ;  D.  Franz,  five  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters; S.  B.  Harris,  seven;  E.  Heller,  six;  C.  M.  Hillebrand,  six;  Jacob  Hime, 
eight ;  C.  M.  Hineline,  nine ;  John  Hoebel,  seven ;  Daniel  Hoover,  seven ;  M. 
Huber,  six ;  I.  Klein,  nine ;  Dexter  A.  Knowlton,  six ;  John  Koehler,  six ;  Jacob 
Krohn,  eight;  D.  Kuehner,  five;  Michael  Lawver,  eleven,  five  sons  and  six 
daughters;  Henry  Lichtenberger,  six;  John  Loos,  eight;  M.  Marvin,  seven; 
James  Mitchell,  seven ;  Jacob  Molter,  seven ;  Edwin  Perkins,  ten ;  Elias  Per- 
kins, five;  J.  J.  Piersol,  seven;  Henry  Rohkar,  eight;  C.  H.  Rosentiel,  five;  D.  B. 
Schulte,  five;  John  Snich,  six;  Charles  P.  Snow,  nine;  J.  H.  Snyder,  six;  J.  H. 
Stover,  six;  Valentine  Stoskoff,  eight;  Oscar  Taylor,  six;  John  M.  Walz,  seven; 
L.  A.  Warner,  five ;  George  Wolf,  six ;  Charles  Berhenke,  Kent,  eleven  chil- 
dren, four  sons  and  seven  daughters ;  Bryan  Duffy,  seven ;  Henry  Faringer, 
six  sons ;  Jacob  Gable,  eleven ;  William  Heyer,  six ;  James  A.  Hughes,  seven ; 
Peter  Kleckner,  nine;  O.  H.  Phillips,  six;  J.  W.  Rush,  seven;  David  Shearer, 
ten,  three  daughters  and  seven  sons. 

In  Winslow  Township,  Henry  Chawgo  had  five  children;  LeGrand  M.  Cox, 
six ;  Silas  Gage,  eleven ;  Barnabus  Hinds,  six ;  George  M.  Kennedy,  seven ;  D.  B 
Packer,  six ;  Jeptha  Pronty,  ten,  seven  sons  and  three  daughters ;  Thomas  Rode- 
baugh,  six;  Charles  Sheard,  eight;  J.  M.  Staver,  six;  Thomas  P.  Steere,  seven; 
Orrin  Vaughn,  eight ;  John  Wales,  seven. 

James  Ault,  of  Waddams  Township,  had  eight  children,  five  boys  and  three 
girls;  W.  K.  Bechtold,  seven;  L.  B.  Churchill,  five;  J.  C.  Conaby,  five;  Trumon 
Cross,  six;  Martin  Fogel,  eight;  Hiram  Fuller,  five;  J.  B.  Gates,  ten;  Hubbard 
Graves,  first  county  sheriff,  eleven  children ;  S.  W.  Grissinger,  seven ;  Charles 
P.  Guenther,  seven ;  W.  H.  Holmes,  five ;  Thomas  Jonas,  ten,  four  sons  and 
six  daughters ;  B.  Kleckner,  eight ;  Alonzo  Lush,  eleven,  six  boys  and  five  girls ; 
John  Price,  six ;  James  Price,  five ;  Levi  Robey,  five ;  Sanford  S.  Sherman,  six ; 
William  Shippee,  thirteen,  six  sons  and  seven  daughters ;  Robert  Sisson,  six 
sons  and  five  daughters;  Andrew  St.  John,  six;  Henry  Wohlford,  ten,  four 
sons  and  six  daughters. 

In  Florence  Township  John  Q.  Adams'  family  consisted  of  eight  children, 
four  boys  and  four  girls;  John  Aspinwall,  seven  children;  Patrick  Barron,  five; 
Michael  Bastian,  five;  Andrew  Black,  seven;  John  Burchhardt,  eight;  August 
Froning,  seven;  George  Hamm,  ten,  fire  boys  and  five  girls;  Jacob  Hoffman, 
seven;  Christopher  Mayer,  eight;  Geo.  A.  Moore,  eleven,  three  girls  and  eight 
boys;  Jacob  Pfeil,  six;  Nathan  Sheetz,  ten;  Conrad  VanBrocklyn,  eight;  Wil- 
helm  Wilhelms,  five. 

In  the  township  of  Silver  Creek,  Michael  Bangasser  had  eight  children, 
four  boys  and  four  girls ;  Christopher  Bennett,  fourteen  children ;  Fred  Brock- 
maier,  six ;  William  Brockhausen,  ten,  five  boys  and  five  girls ;  Henry  C.  Brown, 


HISTORY  OF  STEFHFNSON  COUNTY  151 

eight;  Henry  Dubbert,  ten,  four  sons  and  six  daughters;  Andrew  Fiest,  seven; 
John  Fosha,  eight;  Johann  Fuls,  five;  S.  M.  Grier,  five;  Jacob  Hoebel,  six; 
M.  W.  Hollingsworth,  five;  F.  P.  Koehler,  eleven;  Henry  Kruse,  six;  Joseph 
Lamm,  six ;  J.  S.  Reisinger,  seven ;  Charles  Schoettle,  eight ;  S.  J.  Stebbins, 
seven;  Nicholas  Steffen,  ten,  four  boys  and  six  girls;  George  Stoenzhorn,  five; 
Mene  Vanloh,  six;  William  Young,  six. 

In  Harlem  Township,  Charles  W.  Barber,  six ;  George  J.  Bentley,  eight ; 
E.  Bennett,  five ;  Ludwig  Broend,  six ;  Henry  Burkard,  six ;  Thomas  Ewing, 
six ;  C.  H.  Furry,  six ;  Phillip  Herrbrick,  nine ;  Joseph  Hutmacher,  twelve  chil- 
dren, six  boys  and  six  girls ;  Aaron  Kostenbader,  eight ;  Levi  Law,  six ;  Martin 
Lawless,  six;  Oliver  P.  McCool,  eight;  Joseph  McCool,  nine;  Edward  Mar- 
tin, eleven,  nine  girls  and  two  boys;  John  Martin,  nine;  William  Meads,  seven; 
Thomas  Metz,  five ;  Lewis  Meyers,  seven ;  E.  R.  Mulnix,  six ;  A.  B.  Munn,  six ; 
Joseph  Murdock,  ten;  Frank  Pickard,  six;  R.  C.  Shofield,  seven;  George 
Seyler,  six;  John  Steffen,  five;  John  H.  Stout,  five;  Frederick  Watson,  fifteen, 
six  girls  and  nine  boys ;  Rezin  Wilcoxin,  six. 

In  Loran  Township,  John  Apgar,  eleven  children,  six  girls  and  five  boys; 
Reuben  Babb,  five;  H.  M.  Barnes,  six;  Jacob  Behringer,  eleven;  Ira  S.  Bying- 
ton,  seven;  John  C.  Ditzer,  six;  Mathias  J.  Ditzler,  eleven;  Ira  Kinman,  twelve; 
Charles  Kloepping,  five ;  D.  C.  Lamm,  ten ;  William  Lahre,  nine ;  Jacob  S. 
Studebaker,  fourteen,  seven  boys  and  seven  girls;  Levi  Thomas,  eleven. 

Isaac  Bogenrief,  of  Jefferson  Township,  had  nine  children,  six  sons  and 
three  daughters;  Samuel  Hayes,  six;  Peter  Kerch,  six;  John  Koch,  six;  G.  D. 
Babbit,  five;  Charles  Boeke,  five;  Francis  Boeke,  six;  Conrad  Fautzmeier,  ten; 
Conrad  Fye,  ten;  Valentine  Gilman,  seven;  Charles  Grossman,  five;  H.  S. 
Jones,  six ;  Herman  Klass,  six ;  Card  Terica,  five ;  Ludwig  Niemeier,  five ;  Dr. 
E.  H.  Plasch,  eight;  August  Raders,  eleven;  John  M.  Rees,  seven;  Henry 
Rosenstiel,  seven ;  Frank  R.  Tower,  nine ;  John  Winters  had  a  family  of  seven 
children  and  his  father  a  family  of  fourteen. 

D.  L.  Bear,  Oneco  Township,  had  six  children ;  Willoughby  Bear,  six ;  B.  P. 
Belknap,  eight ;  Franklin  Bolender,  five ;  Aaron  Bower,  five ;  John  Bower,  eight ; 
W.  H.  Clarno,  nine;  J.  C.  Dorn,  eight;  George  Erb,  twelve;  David  Fye,  eight; 
Jacob  Fye,  nine ;  Lewis  Gibler,  thirteen  children ;  Charles  Lestikow,  five ;  Daniel 
Moore,  nine;  E.  T.  Moore,  six;  Emanuel  Musser,  five;  Hiram  Shons,  six;  E.  S. 
Wagner,  five;  Ira  Winchell,  eight;  Daniel  Woodring,  twelve  children. 

Jacob  Acker,  of  West  Point  Township,  nine  children;  H.  W.  Allen,  six; 
C.  T.  Barnes,  seven ;  Allen  Boyer,  eleven ;  Jacob  Burbridge,  eleven ;  William. 
Corning,  five;  Daniel  Davis,  seven;  Thomas  Davis,  thirteen;  Samuel  J.  Dodds, 
five ;  J.  T.  H.  Dobler,  eight ;  Anthony  Doll,  six ;  A.  M.  Durkie,  five ;  J.  D.  Fow- 
ler, eight ;  Thomas  S.  French,  eight ;  W.  W.  Hall,  five ;  John  Herrington,  eleven ; 
Andrew  Hinds,  eleven,  six  sons  and  five  daughters ;  G.  L.  Howard,  six ;  Martin 
Howard,  five ;  George  Hoyman,  six ;  J.  T.  Leaman,  ten ;  Jacob  Leckington,  ten ; 
J.  C.  Lohr,  five ;  John  McCullough,  seven ;  John  Mahon,  seven ;  John  Metz,  five ; 
J.  H.  Ozburn,  five ;  John  Reeder,  eight ;  William  A.  Rice,  seven ;  Spencer  Ris- 
ing, six;  J.  M.  Schermerhorn,  five;  A.  H.  Stahl,  ten;  A.  Weaver,  five;  Moses 
Weaver,  seven;  Miles  White,  six. 


152  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

N.  J.  Barrimore,  of  Rock  Grove  Township,  had  nine  children ;  Hugh  Benne- 
hoff,  seven ;  H.  H.  Bolender,  eleven ;  Samuel  Chambers,  eight ;  C.  J.  Cooper, 
eight;  W.  L.  Cooper,  seven;  Jacob  Fisher,  ten;  H.  O.  Frankeberger,  twelve; 
Solomon  Fisher,  eight ;  Ole  O.  Gardner,  eight ;  Lemuel  Goodrich,  nine ;  George 
Hassenger,  ten ;  Solomon  Hoy,  nine ;  Harvey  Kiester,  six ;  Levi  Kiester,  six ; 
Dr.  D.  H.  Kleckner,  six;  L.  L.  Marsh,  seven;  George  Maurer,  five;  Frederich 
Pothast,  six;  Edward  Pratt,  six;  Calvin  Preston,  nine;  David  Zimmerman, 
eight;  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  five. 

James  H.  Adams,  of  Buckeye  Township,  had  ten  children ;  J.  B.  Angle,  six ; 
John  F.  Bender,  eight ;  John  Boals,  twelve ;  Frederick  Bolender,  six ;  Dr.  Chas. 
Brundage,  seven;  J.  B.  Clingman,  eleven;  Josiah  Gingtnan,  ten;  Rev.  George 
J.  Donmeyer,  nine ;  John  Epley,  five ;  Jacob  Folgate,  five ;  John  Fox,  six ;  Daniel 
Grimm,  seven ;  William  D.  Hartman,  six ;  John  Hartzell,  six ;  William  Herman, 
five;  Solomon  Hixson,  six;  William  Hoff,  five;  Thomas  Hutchinson,  nine; 
Joseph  F.  Jackson,  seven ;  Jacob  Jones,  nine ;  Robert  Jones,  seven ;  Daniel  Keck, 
six;  William  K.  Kryder,  seven;  Edwin  Lied,  seven;  John  Pollock,  eight; 
Thomas  Pollock,  ten;  William  Ritzman,  twenty-two;  Ensebius  Schadle,  five; 
William  Stewart,  five;  George  Trotter,  eleven;  Phillip  Windecker,  nine;  Jerit 
Wohlford,  six. 

In  Lancaster  Township,  Rudolph  K.  Brubaker's  family  consisted  of  nine 
children,  seven  boys  and  two  girls;  Conrad  Dambman,  five;  Samuel  Daughen- 
baugh,  ten ;  Tobias  Engle,  eleven ;  D.  G.  Fager,  eight ;  Levi  Fahs,  nine ;  William 
Glasser,  eight;  George  W.  Lattig,  seventeen,  five  sons  and  twelve  daughters; 
J.  T.  McKibbin,  eight ;  I.  N.  Mallory,  eleven ;  Reuben  Meyers,  six ;  Jacob  P. 
Mitchel,  six;  William  B.  Mitchell,  eight;  Joseph  Myers,  five;  Jacob  W.  Rut- 
ter,  eleven;  R.  F.  Rezner,  seven;  William  W.  Smith,  four;  Benjamin  Snyder, 
thirteen;  C.  Yarger,  five  sons  and  five  daughters. 

Joseph  Afflerbaugh  of  Rock  Run  Township,  a  blacksmith,  had  twelve  chil- 
dren, six  sons  and  six  daughters;  A.  O.  Anderson,  eight;  D.  Bellman,  eleven; 
Joseph  Binker,  seven ;  Michael  Blimm,  thirteen ;  David  Cable,  twelve,  five  daugh- 
ters and  seven  sons;  Jacob  Cable,  eight;  H.  D.  Cole,  nine;  John  S.  Daughen- 
baugh,  six;  Christ  Feeney,  nine;  S.  R.  Foster,  five;  Louis  Germain,  nine;  Mar- 
tin Gillen,  nine ;  John  Glynn,  eight  children ;  Aaron  Gold,  ten ;  J.  H.  Graham, 
eleven;  John  Hoag,  nine;  C.  B.  Johnson,  six;  John  F.  Kaufman,  six;  Jacob. 
Keehan,  five;  Halleck  Kundson,  seven;  Thurston  Kundson,  nine;  M.  W.  Kurtz, 
seven;  J.  Lanek,  eighteen;  S.  B.  Leach,  nine;  Henry  Maeir,  eleven;  Alexander 
Niblo,  ten ;  S.  Olsen,  seventeen ;  Jacob  Orth,  six ;  Henry  Schleiter,  nine ;  Samuel 
Strong,  eight;  John  Weber,  eleven;  Joseph  H.  Weir,  eight;  Michael  Wolf, 
twelve;  Peter  Wolf,  twelve;  Luther  Angle,  of  Dakota  township,  had  nine  chil- 
dren; John  Brown,  eleven;  William  E.  Ilgen,  fifteen;  John  Kryder,  nine;  Mar- 
tin S.  Lapp,  ten ;  Robert  Nelson,  ten ;  Samuel  Otto,  five ;  John  S.  Smith,  eight ; 
James  A.  Templeton,  ten;  George  Walker,  eight;  O.  D.  Weaver,  eight;  John 
Wirth,  eight ;  Solomon  Wise,  seven. 

Daniel  Brick,  in  the  township  of  Ridott,  had  a  family  of  twelve  children, 
six  boys  and  six  girls ;  Ulrich  Boomgarten,  eight ;  Michael  Bardell,  seven ;  Asa 
Carey,  seven;  Christian  Clay,  eleven;  H.  H.  De  Groot,  eleven;  L.  S.  Freeman, 
six;  Philo  Hammond,  five;  John  Heeren,  nine;  Thomas  Hunt,  twelve;  Neil 


mSTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  153 

Johnson,  six;  Wesley  John,  six;  Jacob  Molter,  six;  A.  J.  Niles,  eight;  Henry 
Scheffner,  eight;  Michael  Von  Osterloo,  ten,  four  daughters  and  six  sons; 
H.  P.  Waters,  eight;  Edward  Weik,  six;  David  J.  Witter,  five;  Samuel  Mover, 
seventeen. 

LARGE    FAMILIES. 

The  above  meagre  sketch  of  a  few  of  the  large  families  of  pioneer  times  is 
ample  evidence  that  there  were  then  no  strong  tendencies  towards  "race  suicide." 
That  there  has  been  a  remarkable  change  since  the  early  days  is  also  very  evi- 
dent. In  1862  the  number  of  children  of  school  age  enumerated  in  the  county 
was  10,609;  m  l%72>  11,229;  m  1882,  10,483;  in  1890,  9,867;  in  1910,  9,039. 
There  were  thirty  less  enumerated  in  Freeport  in  1910  than  in  1906.  A  large 
increase  in  the  population  of  both  Freeport  and  Stephenson  County  is  accom- 
panied by  a  decline  in  the  number  of  children  of  school  age.  This  chapter  sets 
forth  some  facts  that  afford  food  for  speculation. 

INDIANS— THE  WHITE  MAN'S  BURDEN. 

The  annihilation  of  Black  Hawk's  army,  August  2,  1832,  was  the  end  of 
serious  Indian  troubles.  When  the  first  white  settlers  came  into  the  county  in 
1833,  1834  and  1835,  a  few  bands  of  disorganized  Indians  still  roamed  about. 
They  were  remnants  of  the  Winnebagoes  and  the  fight  had  all  been  taken  out 
of  them.  Small  hunting  parties  roamed  about  and  occasionally  annoyed  the 
settlers  by  carrying  off  the  garden  truck  or  by  rifling  an  unguarded  house. 
Petty  thefts  and  trespassing  were  the  more  common  misdemeanors  of  the  red 
men. 

A  small  party  at  one  time  drove  away  an  entire  drove  of  hogs  belonging  to 
William  Waddams.  Another  squad  entered  the  bachelor  cabin  of  Robert  Jones 
and  Levi  Lucas  near  Cedarville  and  among  other  things  carried  away  razors, 
game,  wild  honey  and  tobacco.  The  owners  returned  as  the  redskins  were 
sneaking  away  from  the  cabin.  The  men  followed  the  Indian's  trail  and  over- 
took him  in  the  act  of  shooting  a  wild  turkey.  Jones  rushed  upon  him,  seized 
his  gun  and  threatened  instant  death  unless  he  immediately  restored  the  stolen 
property.  After  some  demurring  and  pleas  in  confession  and  avoidance,  the 
Indian  offered  to  restore  the  articles  if  the  men  would  go  with  him  to  his  wig- 
wam. Consenting  to  do  this,  they  were  led  through  the)  wilderness  and  were 
brought  suddenly  into  the  presence  of  about  thirty  braves  who,  with  their  wo- 
men at  once  realized  their  danger,  but  put  up  a  bold  front,  entered  the  circle  of 
savages  and  sat  down.  There  followed  a  prolonged  parley  without  anger,  after 
which  the  Indian  who  had  stolen  the  property  disappeared  in  the  wilderness. 
Not  long  after  he  returned  with  the  tobacco,  but  assured  the  men  that  the  razors 
and  provisions  were  in  the  possession  of  a  band  of  Winnebagoes  on  Yellow 
Creek.  The  old  Indian  then  told  his  people  how  Jones  and  Lucas  had  assaulted 
him  in  the  forest,  how  they  had  taken  his  rifle  away  and  had  prevented  him 
from  shooting  a  wild  turkey.  There  were  vigorous  grunts  of  displeasure  from 
the  circle  of  braves  and  they  became  loud  and  threatening.  But  Jones  was  a 
diplomat.  He  was  not  prepared  to  fight  thirty  armed  Indians.  He  became 
suddenly  generous  and  courteous.  He  succeeded  in  calming  the  enraged  redskins 


154  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

by  dividing  his  tobacco  among  the  braves  and  restored  tranquility  by  "tickling 
the  Indian  maidens  under  the  chin  and  indulging  in  other  harmless  pleasantries 
with  them,"  Jones  afterwards  said  his  gallantry  was  severely  taxed  in  making 
love  to  the  greasy  beauties  of  the  Winnebagoes,  but  he  was  willing  to  make  the 
sacrifice  rather  than  to  take  a  chance  of  losing  his  scalp. 

Jones  and  Lucas  spent  the  night  at  the  home  of  Benjamin  Goddard,  south  of 
Cedarville.  The  next  morning  they  and  Mr.  Goddard  went  to  the  claim  of  Wil- 
liam Baker  and  aided  the  latter  in  raising  his  house.  While  at  work  here,  a 
party  of  Yellow  Creek  Indians  came  up,  to  hang  around  and  get  same  of  the 
"fire  water"  usually  an  article  to  be  found  at  "raisings"  in  these  days.  Jones 
at  once  accosted  the  Indians  and  demanded  the  return  of  his  stolen  property,  and 
threatened  death  if  his  demands  were  not  complied  with.  This  argument  was 
convincing  and  the  Indians  pointed  to  the  sky,  indicating  that  at  noon  they 
would  turn  over  the  stolen  goods.  Promptly  at  twelve,  the  band  returned  and 
gave  the  razors  to  the  rightful  owners. 

Indians  were  still  around  the  county  and  subjected  the  settlers  to  many  petty 
annoyances.  On  a  blustering  winter  day  five  redskins  came  to  the  cabin  of  F. 
D.  Bulkley  and  sought  shelter.  "Wigwams  all  gone;  Indian  got  no  wigwam," 
they  said,  as  they  pointed  to  the  naked  poles  that  marked  the  site  of  the  old 
Winnebago  village.  They  were  permitted  to  dry  their  clothes  about  the  fireside 
of  the  paleface  and  as  a  mark  of  gratitude  offered  Mr.  Bulkley  some  whiskey. 
In  the  absence  of  a  funnel  they  had  an,  Indian  boy  transfer  it  from  a  large  jug 
to  a  small  one  by  means  of  his  mouth. 

A  Mr.  Kent,  the  first  settler  at  Rockford,  had  experience  with  Indians.  Re- 
turning from  a  visit  to  his  brother  at  Galena,  he  had  secured  a  canoe  and,  laden 
with  potatoes ;  paddled  down  the  Pecatonica  to  Baker's  cabin,  now  Freeport.  Here 
he  tied  up  his  canoe  and  went  ashore.  When  he  returned  to  his  canoe  he  found 
it  surrounded  by  a  mob  of  squaws  and  young  Indians,  who  were  busy  as  squir- 
rels carrying  away  his  potatoes.  What  remained  he  took  with  him  to  Rockford 
and  planted  some  of  them,  raising  a  good  crop.  More  hard  luck  was  in  store 
for  Mr.  Kent  and  his  potatoes,  for  one  night  the  Indians  came  to  his  clearing 
and  dug  up  and  carried  away  all  of  his  potatoes. 

On  one  occasion  Indians  entered  the  cabin  of  a  "Widow"  Brown  and  carried 
away  her  stock  of  provisions.  A  party  of  "Freeporters,"  William  Baker,  M. 
Brown,  Jake  Goodheart  and  "Wild  Gunner"  Murphy  set  out  after  the  thieving 
redskins  with  William  Baker,  who  had  acquired  a  certain  mastery  of  the  Winne- 
bago tongue,  as  interpreter.  The  party  came  up  .with  the  Indians  in  camp  in 
Rock  Run  Township.  The  Indians  were  intoxicated  and  their  fury  frightened 
away  the  first  one  of  the  pursuers  who  came  upon  them  suddenly  and  alone. 
Baker  and  the  remainder  of  the  party  then  came  up.  The  Indians  asked  Baker 
why  the  white  man  ran  away.  Baker's  diplomacy  again  saved  the  day  as  he 
replied  that  the  man  was  running  to  bring  up  a  party  of  one  hundred  whites 
not  far  away.  He  made  a  bold  stand  and  told  the  Indians  that  if  they  did  not 
turn  over  the  widow's  property  at  once,  the  entire  party  of  Indians  would  be 
killed  and  scalped.  After  a  parley,  the  matter  was  adjusted.  The  Indians  agreed 
to  restore  what  had  not  been  consumed  of  Mrs.  Brown's  stores,  and  gave  Baker 
a  horse  to  guide  them  out  of  the  community  and  away  from  the  "hundred  volun- 


HISTORY  Ol-  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  155 

teers"  who  were  bent  on  destruction  of  the  Indians.  Fred  Baker  was  also  paid 
four  coon  skins  for  his  services  as  interpreter — one  instance  of  the  practical  value 
of  the  study  of  a  foreign  language. 

Mr.  Charles  Graves,  the  venerable  postmaster  at  McConnell,  remembers  the 
wigwams  left  along  the  Pecatonica  by  the  Winnebagoes.  He  and  other  children 
used  them  as  playhouses.  They  played  Indian  just  as  children  do  today  who 
read  Indian  stories.  The  early  children  had  the  advantage  of  seeing  real  Indians, 
war  paints  and  feathers  and  heard  stories  told  at  first  hand.  The  wigwams  were 
ideal  "playhouses,"  and  the  children  added  a  touch  of  realism  by  painting  their 
faces  and  dressing  in  Indian  fashion.  They  divided  into  squads,  Indians  in  one 
and  whites  in  the  other,  and  fought  sham  battles  in  which  warwhoop  and 
hatchet  were  put  into  play. 

Chief  Winneshiek,  or  "Coming  Thunder,"  had  his  village  on  the  Pecatonica, 
at  the  foot  of  Stephenson  Street,  Freeport,  where  the  Illinois  Central  Station 
now  stands.  Here  were  the  wigwams  of  his  braves  and  squaws.  Here  about 
their  campfires  they  held  their  pow-wows  and  war  dances.  While  not  a  trouble- 
some band,  yet  they  looked  with  distrust  upon  the  steady  approach  of  the  white 
settlements.  In  what  is  now  Taylor's  Park,  the  squaws  in  a  rude  way  cultiavted 
the  cornfields  with  clam  shells.  The  first  settlers  saw  the  peculiar  burial  methods 
of  the  Winnebagoes.  Four  strong  poles  were  planted  in  the  ground  on  which 
a  platform  was  constructed.  The  body  of  a  dead  Indian  with  his  bow  and  ar- 
rows and  trinkets  was  placed  upon  the  platform,  with  such  savage  rites  as  were 
customary  among  the  Winnebagoes.  When  the  first  settlers  built  their  cabins 
in  Freeport  these  burial  grounds  still  held  many  of  the  skeletons  of  departed 
red  men,  whose  spirits  had  gone  to  the  happy  hunting  grounds  and  whose  bodies 
had  been  destroyed  by  exposure  to  the  elements. 

While  the  Indians  were  not  exceedingly  troublesome  during  the  earlier  pi- 
oneer days,  yet  their  presence,  their  strange  manners  and  dress  and  withal  the 
everpresent  uncertainty  of  their  attitude,  added  a  certain  touch  of  daring  and" 
romance  that  always  accompanies  dangerous  situations  to  the  life  of  the  first 
settlers.  People  from  the  east  who  knew  the  Indian  only  from  books  could 
not  fail  to  be  impressed  by  the  presence  of  real  red  men.  It  was  no  place  for 
"mollycoddles."  Girls  and  women  were  trained  in  the  use  of  the  rifle,  the  un- 
failing arbiter  of  early  disputes.  Neither  were  these  girls  and  women  ignorant. 
Many  of  them  had  been  educated  in  eastern  academies  and  colleges  and  had 
come  from  homes  of  plenty  and  culture  and  refinement.  They  were  a  brave  and 
noble  band  of  women,  inspired  by  the  spirit  of  the  great  west,  enlivened  by  ro- 
mance of  danger  and  made  strong  by  the  hardships  and  privations  of  the  fron- 
tier. 

A  MURDER— TRADITION  OR  FACT. 

Whatever  the  truth  may  be,  tradition  has  persistently  maintained  a  story 
of  a  murder  at  Kellog's  Grove  during  the  summer  of  1833.  It  seems  that  two 
young  men  of  Virginia  had  heard  glowing  reports  of  the  wealth  of  the  lead 
mine  district  about  Galena.  They  decided  to  leave  the  Old  Dominion  to  seek 
their  fortunes  in  the  great  West.  A  "Prairie  Schooner"  was  fitted  out  in 


156  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

elaborate  style,  fully  equipped  to  make  the  long  journey  over  the  Virginia  hills, 
across  Kentucky,  over  the  Ohio,  and  finally  to  Peoria  when  they  struck  the 
Kellog  Trail  for  Galena.  After  a  long  and  tiresome  journey  with  an  ox  team, 
the  young  planters  encamped  for  the  night  in  the  cabins  at  Kellog's  Grove. 
Tired  from  the  hard  trip  they  ate  supper,  secured  the  oxen  for  the  night  and 
retired  to  enjoy  the  sound  sleep  that  comes  to  him  who  has  journeyed  long  in 
the  open  air. 

When  the  young  adventurers  awoke  in  the  morning,  they  found  that  their 
oxen  had  broken  loose  and  had  wandered  away  from  the  camp.  It  was 
mutually  agreed  that  one  was  to  prepare  the  breakfast  while  the  other  was  to 
find  the  missing  oxen  and  return  them  to  camp. 

Evidently  the  long  journey  from  Virginia  had  for  come  reason  made  the 
men  quarrelsome.  After  several  hours,  the  one  who  had  gone  in  search  of  the 
oxen  returned  with  them  to  camp.  The  other  had,  however,  made  no  headway 
in  the  task  of  the  preparation  of  the  breakfast.  The  delay  led  to  a  quarrel  and 
finally  the  blows.  During  the  fight,  one  of  the  men  seized  an  ox  yoke  or  some 
other  weapon  and  struck  his  antagonist  over  the  head  causing  almost  instant 
death. 

But  the  victor  quickly  realized  the  awfulness  of  his  crime.  They  had  started 
out  from  the  old  home  in  full  harmony  and  high  spirits.  Fortunes  and  a  bright 
future  awaited  them,  gaining  which,  they  no  doubt  hoped  to  return  prosperous 
and  happy  to  the  homes  they  had  left  behind.  But  now  one  lay  dead  at  the 
hands  of  the  other.  The  survivor  at  once  felt  the  sting  of  the  conscience  stricken 
murderer.  To  get  away  from  the  scene  of  this  crime  he  punged  at  once  into 
the  trackless  forests.  But  he  found  that  even  in  the  wilds  of  a  western  wilder- 
ness, he  could  not  lose  the  consciousness  of  guilt.  It  haunted  him  at  every 
turn,  till  driven  to  desperation,  he  returned  to  the  scene  of  his  crime  and  looked 
with  horrified  soul  upon  the  dead  body  of  his  comrade.  Joy  had  gone  from  his 
life  and  hope  fled,  as  with  heavy  heart  he  made  a  grave  in  the  hillside  and  laid 
away  as  best  he  could  the  remains  of  his  victim. 

In  about  a  week  the  dejected  traveler  arrived  at  Apple  River  and  sadly 
told  the  settlers  the  above  story.  The  settlers  placed  no  restraint  upon  the  man 
but  not  long  after,  haunted  still  by  a  remorseless  conscience,  he  again  plunged 
into  the  wilds  in  a  vain  attempt  to  find  relief. 

He  was  heard  from  no  more  by  the  settlers  of  Apple  River.  Years  later, 
in  the  woods  of  Jo  Daviess  County  there  was  found  the  skeleton  of  a  human 
being  whose  identity  could  not  be  fixed.  However,  it  may  be,  the  Apple  River 
settlers  believed  this  to  be  the  body  of  the  conscience  stricken  Virginian,  who, 
they  believed,  finding  he  could  not  gain  peace  of  mind  in  life,  sought  relief  in 
death  at  his  own  hands. 

THE   PRAIRIE   PIRATES. 

Stephenson  County  did  not  suffer  as  much  as  the  surrounding  counties  from 
the  Prairie  Pirates,  or  the  "Banditta  of  the  Prairies."  This  was  because  the 
settlement  was  held  back  till  the  close  of  the  War  with  Black  Hawk,  after 
which  it  was  rapidly  settled  up.  Yet  many  a  fine  horse  was  swiftly  ridden 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  157 

out  of  the  county  to  the  secret  headquarters  of  the  gang  of  thieves  that  preyed 
upon  the  unorganized  community.  No  less  dreaded  than  the  Indians  were  these 
Pirates,  whose  organizations  spread  out  all  over  the  frontier  settlements  of 
Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois.  They  worked  in  no  fear  of  the  law.  They  were 
the  overflow  of  the  criminal  class  of  the  East  which,  driven  from  the  older 
settlements  by  organized  law,  hovered  over  the  sparsely  settled  new  communi- 
ties, to  live  without  working,  by  stealing  from  their  more  industrious  neighbors. 

Stables  were  doubly  locked  and  good  horses  were  not  to  be  left  unguarded, 
unless  a  faithful  watch  dog  slept  in  the  barn.  Most  men  never  thought  of  going 
to  the  stable  or  to  the  wood  pile  after  night  without  his  gun.  A  man  often 
slept  with  the  horses  with  his  trusty  rifle  at  his  side. 

The  leaders  about  Rock  River  were  John  Driscoll,  John  Brodie,  Samuel  Ai- 
kens  and  their  sons.  They  had  a  secret  society  and  had  stations  scattered  about 
the  country.  Signals  and  pass-words  perfected  the  organization  of  plunderers 
which  operated  from  Wisconsin  to  Texas,  preying  on  the  means  of  honest 
toilers. 

John  Driscoll  came  from  Ohio  in  1835  and  settled  on  Killbuck  Creek  in  Ogle 
County.  It  is  said  that  he  came  from  the  Columbus  Penitentiary.  In  physique, 
courage  and  intellect  he  was  a  remarkable  man.  He  was  upwards  of  six  feet 
and  weighed  200  pounds.  Part  of  his  nose  had  been  bitten  off  in  a  fight  with  a 
human  ghoul.  His  hair  was  iron  gray  and  coarse.  He  did  many  acts  of  kind- 
ness, once  finishing  the  crop  of  a  woman  whose  husband  had  died.  The  Dris- 
colls  were  sly,  secretive,  cunning  and  revengeful. 

John  Brodie  settled  in  Dement  township,  Ogle  County,  at  Brodie's  Grove. 
He  was  a  small  man,  with  a  low  forehead,  stiff  black  hair  and  deep  set  eyes, — a 
typical  prairie  pirate.  His  sons  were  dare-devils  both  despised  and  feared. 

The  Log  Tavern  at  Inlet  Grove,  Lee  County,  was  the  distributing  point  for 
counterfeiters,  and  a  directing  point  from  which  the  movements  of  stolen  horses 
were  controlled  as  they  passed  from  station  to  station.  The  "Pirates"  when  ap- 
prehended always  got  bail  and  were  always  able  to  prove  an  alibi. 

The  Ogle  County  Regulators  organized  in  a  school  house  determined  to  fight 
the  pirates.  They  numbered  from  15  to  several  hundred  and  determined  to 
do  what  they  law  could  not  do.  They  called  on  John  Hurd,  a  horse  thief,  at 
night,  ordered  him  to  strip,  tied  his  hands  behind  his  back  and  gave  him  thirty- 
six  lashes  with  a  rawhide.  He  stood  the  ordeal  without  flinching.  When  the 
flogging  ceased,  he  said,  "Now,  to  prove  that  I  am  an  honest  man,  I  will  join 
your  company." 

A  former  Baptist  preacher  had  stolen  four  horses  between  Freeport  and 
Rockford.  He  was  "tried"  by  the  Regulators,  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  re- 
ceive 50  lashes  on  the  bare  back.  The  trial  was  held  at  his  house,  and  he  was 
stripped  for  the  ordeal,  when  his  daughter,  a  prepossessing  girl  of  16,  rushed 
to  his  side  and  plead  with  the  Regulators  to  spare  her  father.  With  much  mur- 
muring, the  majority  decided  to  let  the  preacher  off  on  his  promise  to  flee  the 
country.  Several  hours  later,  a  part  of  the  band  returned,  tied  the  reverend  horse- 
thief  to  a  Burroak  tree  and  gave  him  ninety-six  lashes  on  the  bare  back. 

Driscoll's  meanness  ran  deep.  At  one  time,  having  decided  to  burn  an  enemy's 
barn,  he  determined  at  the  same  time  to  square  off  an  old  account  with  his  own 


158  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

son.  He  secretly  took  his  son's  horse  from  his  stable,  rode  to  the  barn  and  set 
fire  to  it,  riding  the  horse  back  and  tieing  it  in  his  son's  barn.  The  young  man 
was  sent  to  the  penitentiary. 

When  Driscoll's  son  murdered  Campbell,  a  leader  of  the  Regulators,  the 
frontier  was  thoroughly  aroused.  One  hundred  and  eleven  stern  men  tried  the 
Driscolls  and  sentenced  them  to  die  like  dogs.  The  notorious  thieves  made  only 
one  request,  and  that  was  to  be  shot,  and  not  to  be  hanged.  They  were  given  one 
hour  to  prepare  for  death.  Some  of  the  Regulators  begged  that  the  Driscolls  be 
turned  over  to  the  courts,  but  hot  speeches,  recounting  the  losses  sustained  by  the 
surrounding  counties  and  casting  doubt  on  the  proposition  of  leaving  the  fate  of 
the  men  to  the  courts,  prevailed.  Death  squads,  fifty-five  and  fifty-six,  were  de- 
tailed to  shoot  the  men.  Old  John  Driscoll  was  the  first  to  kneel  and  fifty-six 
bullets  riddled  his  body.  A  tradition  is  handed  down  that  William  Driscoll's  hair 
turned  almost  white  as  fifty-five  rifles  ended  the  life  of  a  man  who  had  confessed 
to  seven  murders.  Aikens  died  from  sickness  while  hiding  day  and  night  from 
the  "Regulators." 

One  leader  of  the  horse  thieves  who  operated  in  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  and 
through  Carroll,  Jo  Daviess  and  Stephenson  Counties,  was  a  special  terror  to 
horse  owners.  After  stealing  a  fine  animal,  he  would  knock  some  of  his  teeth 
out,  paint  him  a  different  color  and  in  this  way  make  sure  his  escape.  He  had 
a  secret  hiding  place,  where  he  kept  his  stolen  horses  till  the  hunt  subsided  when 
he  would  take  them  into  market.  This  leader,  whose  name  was  Warren,  was 
finally  rounded  up  by  the  Regulators  and  hanged.  His  wife  took  the  event  calmly 
saying  that  that  was  the  third  husband  of  hers  that  had  been  hung. 

Charles  Graves,  the  present  postmaster  at  McConnell,  remembers  several  in- 
cidents of  pioneer  life  that  occurred  while  his  father  was  the  first  Sheriff  of 
Stephenson  County.  A  report  came  to  him  one  day  that  some  horses  had  been 
stolen.  Sheriff  Graves  followed  their  trail  all  day.  Finally  he  came  upon  them 
in  camp  and  captured  them.  About  dark  that  evening  he  returned  with  them 
in  a  wagon.  They  were  not  hand-cuffed.  It  was  then  too  late  to  take  them  to 
Freeport,  and  Mr.  Graves  said  to  the  men,  after  supper  had  been  prepared  by 
Mrs.  Graves,  "Boys,  I  don't  know  what  to  do  with  you  fellows  but  shut  you  up 
in  my  root  house,"  "Allright,"  said  the  men,  and  supplying  them  with  bedding  Mr. 
Graves  locked  them  up  in  the  temporary  jail.  Next  morning  they  were  still 
there,  and  the  Sheriff  took  them  in  a  wagon  to  Freeport  where  they  were  placed 
in  the  old  log  jail.  The  old  log  bastile  in  Freeport  was  not  very  secure  and 
they  soon  escaped. 

An  old  history  of  Stephenson  County,  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  A.  C. 
Martin,  of  McConnell,  tells  a  good  story  of  the  horsethief  pest  and  how  relentless 
the  pioneer  was  in  dealing  with  it.  A  farmer  awoke  one  morning  to  find  one 
of  his  horses  stolen.  He  immediately  mounted  another  horse  and  armed  with 
his  rifle  set  out  on  the  trail.  When  he  had  about  lost  hope  and  was  riding  along 
the  river,  he  suddenly  saw  a  horseman  riding  along  the  opposite  bank  of  the 
stream.  He  saw  at  once  that  it  was  his  horse  and  without  ceremony  or  chal- 
lenge he  leveled  his  rifle  at  the  thief  and  fired,  the  rogue  tumbling  off  the  stolen 
mount  dead.  The  horse  ridden  by  the  owner  in  pursuit  neighed,  and  the  stolen 
horse,  recognizing  his  mate,  plunged  into  the  river  and  swam  across  to  its  owner. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  159 

It  was  necessary  to  take  up  the  pursuit  of  a  stolen  horse  at  once,  because  if  they 
ever  crossed  the  Mississippi  there  was  no  chance  for  recovery.  Besides,  there 
was  such  a  perfect  organization  among  the  thieves  that  concealment  in  caves  and 
other  out  of  the  way  places  would  soon  put  the  stolen,  animals  beyond  the  reach 
of-  the  owner. 

Horse  stealing  was  a  profitable  "business."  Escape  was  not  difficult  and 
the  property  could  usually  be  converted  into  cash.  But  if  caught,  the  thieves 
were  summarily  dealt  with.  The  trials  were  brief  and  the  criminals  were  either 
sent  to  Alton  or  driven  out  of  the  county  with  death  as  a  reward  if  they  returned. 
At  times,  the  Block  House  which  stood  where  the  First  Ward  School  now  is 
was  filled  with  rioters  and  horse  thieves. 

Horse  thieves  were  particularly  active  in  1838  to  40.  The  gang  of  thieves 
was  so  well  organized  that  it  was  difficult  to  catch1  or  to  recapture  the  stolen 
animals.  An  early  experience  of  Conrad  Van  Brocklin  in  Florence  Township 
gives  an  idea  of  the  excitement  and  dangers  connected  with  the  operation  of  the 
band  01  thieves.  During  an  afternoon,  he  suddenly  saw  thieves  making  away 
with  two  of  his  blooded  horses.  Assisted  by  Mason  Dimmick,  he  gave  pursuit. 
The  thieves  had  a  good  start  and  the  chase  was  desperate.  The  thieves  had 
no  bridles  and  were  getting  away  with  the  booty  easily  when  they  suddenly  came 
upon  a  stream  of  water.  One  of  the  horses  had  a  dread  of  crossing  water  and 
could  not  be  forced  to  enter  it  by  the  thieves.  While  the  pirates  were  making 
heroic  afforts  to  get  the  horse  across,  Van  Brocklin  and  Dimmick  came  up  sud- 
denly and  the  men  ran  into  a  nearby  swamp.  The  horses  were  regained  but  the 
thieves  escaped. 

About  the  same  time,  thieves  secured  the  horses  of  Samuel  Smith  in  Lan- 
caster township  and  piloted  them  safely  across  the  Mississippi  and  sold  them. 
Mutual  Aid  Societies,  Regulators  and  Vigilance  Committees  were  the  most  ef- 
fective means  of  fighting  the  horse  thieves  in  the  earlier  years.  Later,  vigorous 
prosecution  by  such  fearless  men  as  States  Attorney  Thomas  J.  Turner,  broke  up 
the  operations  of  the  band.  Thomas  Hotchkiss,  Erin  Township,  was  connected 
with  the  band.  He  sold  his  farm  to  John  Manlove  in  1845. 

PRAIRIE    PIRATES. 

Charles  Waterman  who  came  to  Freeport  in  1840,  later  settled  in  Loran 
Township,  where  he  built  a  mill  and  a  distillery.  He  first  lived  in  De  Kalb 
County  and  aided  in  putting  an  end  to  the  "Driscolls."  Bill  Driscoll  had  sworn 
to  kill  Waterman.  Later  Waterman  overtook  Driscoll  on  the  road  on  horse- 
back, both  being  heavily  armed.  Waterman  watched  the  notorious  bandit  and 
was  prepared  to  shoot  at  any  instant  if  attacked.  While  they  were  riding-  along, 
a  body  of  settlers  came  up  and  captured  Driscoll. 

PIONEER  ADVERTISING,   NEWS,   AND   BUSINESS. 

The  following  advertisements,  news  items  and  business  statements  give  an 
idea  of  business  and  advertising  of  the  period  1847  to  1855 : 


160  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

A  copy  of  the  Prairie  Democrat,  Vol.  I,  No.  10,  Jan.  26,  1848,  is  the  earliest 
copy  of  this  paper  extant.  No  files  were  preserved  and  this  copy  and  a  few 
later  ones  are  highly  valued.  Below  the  title  line  was  printed  the  paper's 
motto,  "Be  Sure  You're  Right— Then  Go— Ahead."  The  first  item  in  the 
paper  was  a  suggestion,  in  rhyme,  to  subscribers  to  pay  up.  The  last  para- 
graph follows : 

"Your  other  bills  you  promptly  pay, 

Wherever  you  do  go,  sir — 

The  butcher  for  his  meat  is  paid, 

For  sundries  is  the  grocer, 

The  tailor  and  the  shoemaker 

The  hatter  and  the  vinter, 

All  get  their  pay, — then  why  neglect 

To  settle  with  the  printer." 

The  poem  was  introduced  by  the  editor  with  the  pertinent  remark,  "A  hint 
to  the  wise  is  sufficient." 

Almost  all  the  front  page  was  given  over  to  a  continued  story,  entitled, 
"The  Three  Festivals."  About  four  columns  of  the  second  page  contained  a 
letter  by  Hon.  Lewis  Cass,  explaining  his  sentiments  in  regard  to  the  Wilmot 
Proviso. 

The  paper  has  an  editorial  on  Thomas  J.  Turner,  the  member  of  Con- 
gress from  this  district,  speaking  of  him  as  "One  who  was  the  artificer  of  his 
own  fortune.  Who  is  equally  at  home  in  Congress  or  at  the  plow."  A  letter 
from  Washington  praises  Mr.  Turner  and  says  the  best  speech  of  the  session 
was  made  by  Mr.  Lincoln,  who  heretofore  had  been  perfectly  mute  and  took 
Congress  by  surprise.  An  editorial  lashes  the  whigs  for  being  "in  eternal  hostility 
to  slavery  and  willing  to  nominate  a  man  (General  Zachary  Taylor)  who 
owns  the  flesh  and  blood  of  hundreds  of  human  beings !  Beautiful  Consist- 
ency !"  "Henry  Clay  and  Tom  Cornin,"  an  editorial  says,  "are  in  fact  the 
greatest  of  all  Mexican  heroes."  Page  4  with  the  exception  of  one  column  "The 
Farmer's  Column,"  is  devoted  to  advertising.  In  the  Farmer's  column  is  an 
article  on  "Rotation  of  Crops,"  recommending  the  following  order:  Corn,  oats, 
barley  or  both  with  three  parts  of  clover  to  one  of  timothy;  third  and  fourth 
years ;  mow  and  pasture ;  fourth  year  wheat,  then  corn  again. 

The  paper  contained  a  notice  of  the  meeting  of  the  literary  association 
which  met  at  the  Red  Schoolhouse  every  Tuesday  evening.  The  subject  for  de- 
bate was,  "Resolved:  That  war  is  justifiable."  The  disputants  were  T.  F.  Good- 
hue,  M.  P.  Sweet,  C.  A.  Clark  and  others.  There  was  also  to  be  a  lecture  by 
Dr.  Hazlit  on  Phreno-Magnetism. 

The  editor  inserted  the  following  ad:  "Wanted  immediately  at  the  office  of 
the  Prairie  Democrat,  wood,  5,000  subscribers,  grain,  butter,  lard,  potatoes, 
eggs,  flour,  honey,  cash,  etc. 

The  winter  of  1847-8  is  described  as  follows:  "This  is  a  curious  winter. 
To  see  a  prairie  on  fire  every  night,  the  dust  flying  in  the  streets,  the  boys  on 
the  common  playing  ball  and  clear  beautiful  days  and  nights,  with  a  smoky  at- 
mosphere resembling  the  most  exquisite  Indian  summer,  is  not  what  we  have 
been  accustomed  to." 


O.  II.  W 


George  Purinton 


P.   Manny 


.Tared  Sheet/. 


John  II.  Adda  ins 


M.  Hettlnger  A.  A.  Krape  Horatio  C.  Burchard 

PROMINENT   CITIZENS  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


LIBRARY 
OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  161 


PIONEER    ADVERTISING   AND    BUSINESS. 

The  advertising  pages  of  the  early  paper  are  as  interesting  and  significant 
as  the  news  and  editorial  columns.  There  was  little  display  advertising.  Most 
of  the  ads  were  written  full,  with  much  rhyme  and  humor. 

Mr.  O.  H.  Wright  advertised :  Wanted,  in  exchange  for  goods,  100,000  feet 
of  lumber,  10,000  bushels  oats  and  corn,  20,000  bushels  wheat,  hides,  furs  and 
skins.  He  also  advised  delinquents  to  pay  up  at  once  if  they  wished  to  save  the 
"costs."  Leonard,  the  jeweler,  next  door  south  of  O.  H.  Wright's  store,  had 
a  half  column  ad  with  four  paragraphs  of  "poetry"  of  which  the  following  is 
a  sample. 

"Yet  for  my  bounty  and  your  sake, 
Good  bank  notes  in  pay  I'll  take, 
So  bring  your  clocks  and  watches  too, 
And  I'll  make  them  run,  as  well  as  you." 

Jacob  Smith  wanted  35,000  barrel  staves  at  once,  $6  per  thousand  for  pork 
barrel  staves  and  $4  per  thousand  for  flour  barrel  staves.  D.  A.  Knowlton's 
ad  states  that  no  great  battle  or  poetry  is  necessary  to  inform  the  citizens  of 
Stephenson  County  that  his  store  is  filled  with  dry  goods,  groceries,  crockery, 
hardware,  etc.  O.  H.  Wright  lists  groceries,  hardware,  crockery,  queensware, 
foreign  and  domestic  dry  goods,  hats,  caps,  boots  and  shoes,  ready-made  coats, 
drugs,  medicines,  paints,  oils,  iron,  steel,  etc.,  and  all  kinds  of  produce  wanted. 
He  thanks  the  public  for  trade  for  the  past  eleven  years. 

J.  M.  Baker  advertised  the  ''Eagle  Saloon"  opposite  courthouse.  Besides 
all  kinds  of  wines,  liquors  and  tobacco,  he  offered  for  sale  fresh  oysters,  sar- 
dines and  "various  articles  in  the  grocery  line."  Mr.  L.  W.  Guiteau,  then 
school  commissioner,  advertised  a  sale  of  school  lands. 

The  following  tailors  advertised :  Smith  and  Johnson,  one  door  east  of 
Knowlton's  old  store;  M.  L.  Shook,  northeast  of  postoffice;  Geo.  W.  New- 
comer, opposite  Jackson's  grocery ;  John  F.  Baker,  first  door  northwest  of  O. 
Taylor's  store;  S.  Sweeley,  over  Knowlton's  new  store. 

Mr.  Knowlton  advertised  tea,  warranted  good,  at  75  cents  a  pound,  and 
tea,  warranted  not  good,  at  12^/2  cents.  He  offered  65  cents  for  good  winter 
wheat  and  60  cents  for  spring  wheat.  He  states  that  good  men  owe  him  over 
$15,000,  and  if  they  do  not  pay  up  he  will  leave  the  accounts  with  Major  Howe 
for  collection.  E.  H.  Hyde  advertised  to  sell  sugar  at  9  to  12^/2  pounds  for  $i. 

Mr.  Oscar  Taylor's  ad  of  patent  medicines  is  interesting  as  an  ad  and  as 
history.  It  is  as  follows: 

t 

PATENT     MEDICINES. 

Allen's  Balsam  of  Hoarhound,  for  consumption  and  liver  complaints ;  Nerve 
and  Bone  Liniment,  and  Indian  Vegetable  Elixir,  for  rheumatic  affections,  Dr. 
Lin's  Strengthening  Plaster  and  Comstock  &  Co.'s  Liquid  Extract  of  Sarsa- 
parilla;  Oldridge's  Balm  of  Columbia,  a  restorative  of  the  hair;  Hay's  Lini- 
ment ;  Expectorant  Syrup ;  Dr.  Spohn's  Headache  Remedy,  either  nervous  or 


162  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

bilious;  Kline's  Tooth  Drops;  Dr.  McNair's  Accoustic  Oil  for  Deafness;  Long- 
ley's  Great  Western  Indian  Panacea,  the  best  family  cathartic,  and  the  best 
remedy  for  asthma,  dyspepsia,  liver  complaints,  and  all  bilious  obstructions 
which  the  combination  of  medicine  affords.  Bed  Bug  Bane;  Indian  Hair  Dye, 
warranted  to  color  the  hair  brown  or  black  without  injury  to  it  or  coloring  the 
skin;  Kolnstock's  Vermifuge  for  worms;  stove  varnish;  cough  lozenges;  Thomp- 
son's Eyewater;  Mother's  Relief,  which  richly  deserves  its  name;  Mack  Ken- 
zie's  Tonic  Febrifuge,  the  best  remedy  for  fever  and  ague  extant.  Oil  of 
Tannan,  unequaled  as  a  preserver  and  restorer  of  leather;  Liquid  Opodeldoc; 
Elmore's,  Wright's  &  Soule's  Pills;  together  with  divers  other  articles  in  that 
line  can  be  found  genuine,  and  at  the  lowest  prices,  at  the  "Stephenson  County 
Cash  Store,"  corner  of  Exchange  and  Galena  streets.  Freeport,  January,  '47. 

OSCAR   TAYLOR. 

The  following  ad  for  Barrett's  store  will  give  a  good  idea  of  the  strenuous 
business  of  the  times  and  also  the  nature  of  the  early  store,  which  was,  in 
fact,  a  "department  store:" 

A  HASTY   PLATE  OF   SOUP 

Highway    robbery,    murder,    treason,    codfish,    Loco    Foco 
matches,  and  4  cent  Calico ! ! 


GOODS ! ! ! 

Of  fine  and  noble  selections — 
All  colors,  kinds  and  complexions — 
Cheap  as  the  cheapest  at  that, 
Are  being  sold  now-a-days — at 

BARRETT'S  : 

Going  off  hourly,  in  boxes  and  sacks, 
The  richest,  finest  and  best  of  nic-nacks 
The  clerks  are  busy  early  and  late — 
Using  the  yard  stick  as  well  as  the  slate. 

HAIL    COLUMBIA  !  ! 

Groceries — of  all  kinds;  (such  as) 
Gimps,  and  window  blinds. 
Teas,  sugars,  and  cassimeres; 
Oils,  candies,  and  cashmeres ; 
Indigo,  trace  chains,  and  nails; 
Fulled  cloths,  satinetts  and  pails. 
Raisins,  ribbons  and  rice; 
Molasses,  gimlets  and  spice. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  163 

NUTMEGS  AND  RAT  TRAPS. 

Tin-ware,  and  baby's  socks; 
Eggs,  boots  and  brass  clocks; 
Ginger,  candles  and  cradles; 
Glauber  salts,  tobacco  and  ladles. 
Lanterns,  real  estate  and  glues  ; 
Lead,  shot,  spices  and  shoes. 
Tweedles,  brooms  and  madder  red; 
Basins,  log  chains,  red  and  black  lead. 

NOTIONS  AND  FIXINS  ! 

Razors,  perfumery  and  glass; 
Hand  saws,  white  satin — first  class! 
Paints,  saw-files  and  silk; 
Butter  and  cheese  made  of  skim-milk! 

LADY'S  BONNETS  AND  DYE-STUFFS. 

Mill  saws,  K.  jeans,  and  spades; 
Calicoes,  caps  and  sun  shades — 
Garden  seeds,  shovels  and  forks ; 
Last  year's  almanacs  and  corks ; 
Hard  times,  cotton  yarn  and  files ; 
Silk  and  woolen  goods — all  styles. 
French  goods,  "tunnels,"  buttons ; 
Knives,  forks — for  steak  or  mutton ! 

CINNAMON    AND    CROCKERY.' 

Mulls,  muslins,  laces  and  tar, 
Cheap — as  cheapest  and  cheaper  by  far 
Clay  pipes,  whips,  shovels  and  tongs; 
Bonnet  strings — ballads  and  songs. 
Lamp  oil,  lamp-black  and  black  lead; 
Fiddle  strings,  marbles,  greyish  and  red 
Bleached,  unbleached  shirting  and  sheetings 
Songs  for  whig  and  democrat  meetings. 

JEW'S   HARPS,    SCISSORS   AND   SCHOOL   BOOKS ! 

Bed  cords,  ticking,  powder  and  shot, 
Kettles,  hair  oil,  combs  and  pots; 
Flannels,  tin  ware,  and  lady's  fans 
Hair  combs,  loaf  sugar  and  moll-cans 
Mittens,  griddles — black  and  blue  ink; 
And  other  things  of  which  I  can't  think 
Promissory  notes,  and  duns  quite  stale 
Warranted  now  due — or  no  sale. 


164  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

For  all,  or  any  of  the  above  articles,  and  thousands  of  others, 
just  call  at  the  cheapest  store  in  Freeport — directly  opposite  the 
Stephenson  County  Hotel — don't  forget  the  place,  but  keep  con- 
stantly in  your  mind  that  interesting  word — cheap. 

Freeport,  January  15,  1848. 

A.  A.  Pollock,  barber  at  I  Stoneman's  inn,  says  his  prices  are :  Shaving  6*4 
cents,  hair-cutting  12^  cents,  and  adds  "These  prices  will  be  kept  up  till  some 
barber  comes  along  who  will  do  the  business  for  nothing."  In  one  of  his  ads 
O.  Taylor  says:  "We  have  been  told  that  opposition  is  the  life  of  business, 
therefore,  I  will  pay  65  cents  for  winter  wheat  and  60  cents  for  spring  wheat, 
in  goods  at  lower  prices  than  any  other  store  in  Freeport.  F.  A.  Stricky  had 
a  big  ad  for  his  Pennsylvania  store.  Mr.  D.  A.  Knowlton  in  his  ad  offered 
great  bargains,  as  he  had  decided  to  dispose  of  his  entire  stock.  His  explana- 
tion follows: 

GREAT  BARGAINS!  ! 

Having  spent  the  last  eight  years  in  hard  toil  and  taxed  my  mind 
day  and  night  with  the  cares  of  business,  until  I  have  impaired 
my  health  and  broken  my  constitution,  and  having  been  blessed  by 
Divine  Providence  with  a  reasonable  compensation  for  my  labors, 
and  now  feeling  a  desire  of  changing  my  business,  so  as  to  place 
myself  more  at  ease,  knowing  that  all  I  can  get  in  this  world  is 
what  I  can  eat,  drink  and  wear.  I  would  now  say  to  the  citizens 
of  Stephenson  County  and  the  public  in  general  that  I  have  re- 
solved to  dispose  of  my  entire  STOCK  OF  GOODS.  Therefore 
I  will  pay  65  cents  for  good  Winter  Wheat  and  60  cents  for  good 
Spring  Wheat,  in  exchange  for  goods;  and  I  will  pay  the  highest 
price  of  Oats,  Corn,  Hides,  Furs,  Butter,  Cheese,  Beeswax,  Ginseng 
and  most  kinds  of  Country  Produce  in  exchange  for  goods.  There- 
fore, all  persons  wishing  to  buy  goods  will  find  it  much  to  their 
advantage  to  call  at  D.  A.  KNOWLTON'S  well  known  WHOLE- 
SALE &  RETAIL  STORE,  as  Great  Bargains  will  be  offered 
there  and  goods  will  be  sold  a  little  cheaper  than  the  cheapest. 
Also,  that  I  will  now  sell  my  Entire  Stock  of  Goods  to  any  Mer- 
chant wishing  to  locate  in  Freeport,  at  a  Great  Bargain  and  Rent 
my  Store,  for  a  year  or  a  term  of  years.  D.  A.  KNOWLTON. 

An  ad  with  some  evidence  of  literary  genius  is  the  following  by  Abel  Smith 
of   Winslow : 

WONDERFUL   DEATH    BY    CONSUMPTION. 

After  consuming  thousands,  Mr.  Credit  has  laid  down  and  died, 
at  the  "Rough  &  Ready  Store,"  in  Winslow.  Call  on  Abel  Smith 
and  he  will  preach  his  funeral  sermon  over  a  lot  of  choice  YANKEE 
NOTIONS,  and  a  fine  lot  of  Groceries,  and  a  smart  sprinkling 
of  DRY-GOODS,  together  with  White  fish,  paints,  tin-ware,  boots 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  165 

and  shoes,  thoroughly  made,  to  order.  Bring  out  your  produce  ,and 
I  will  do  your  work  cheaper,  or  sell  you  a  pile  of  goods  cheap. 

,,r    ,  ABEL  SMITH. 

Wmslow,  January  i. 

L.  W.  Guiteau  advertised  his  new  store  and  stock  at  the  southeast  corner 

of  the  Public  Square. 

One  of  the  unique  and  significant  ads  of  1847  was  that  of  J.  Howe,  the 

hotel  man.     It  follows : 

A  few  travellers  can  be  quietly  entertained  at  Howe's  Cottage — 
with  poor  fare,  at  high  prices  if  they  come  sober  and  remain  so. 
N.  B.  I  want  it  should  be  distinctly  understood,  of  all  the  living 
beings,  a  drunkard,  to  me  is  the  most  detestable !  I  can  bear  with  i 
snakes,  toads,  hedge-hogs  and  skunks ;  because  they  are  as  they  were 
created  ;  but  an  intelligent  human  being  that  will  make  a  brute  of  him 
or  herself,  by  intoxicating  drink — or  those  who  furnish  it  to  a  fel- 
low being,  until  he  or  she  is  intoxicated,  and  then  turn  them  into 
the  streets  to  the  exposure  of  the  frost,  and  gaping  multitude — I 
say  to  such,  I  have  no  shelter.  J.  HOWE. 

Freeport,  December,  1847. 

F.  A.  Strocky's  notice  to  delinquents  is  a  type  of  the  method  of  asking  cred- 
itors to  pay  up : 

NOTICE. — All  persons  indebted  to  me  buy  note,  book  account,  or 
otherwise,  are  respectfully  requested  to  call  and  liquidate  their  in- 
debtedness, on  or  before  the  loth  of  January  next,  or  I  shall  be 
compelled  to  assist  them  by  legal  process.  Gentlemen,  I  wish  to  pay 
my  debts  at  maturity,  and  only  ask  you  to  do  the  same — That's 
all!  F.  A.  STROCKY. 

Freeport,  December  27,  1847. 

E.  H.  Hyde's  half  column  ad  is  similar  to  that  of  Barrett's  in  the  long  list 
of  articles  to  be  found  in  his  store. 

ITEMS. 

The  Journal,  December  6,  1848,  said,  "No  more  bandits  to  be  sent  from 
our  country  to  revolutionize  other  countries  and  annex  them  to  our  country." 

1848,  December  13,  J.  G.  Bedee  had  taken  charge  of  the  Stephenson  County 
Hotel.  A  large  addition  had  been  made  and  fitted  up  in  good  style. 

Ad :  "Winneshiek  House,  corner  Stephenson  and  Chicago  streets,  M.  M. 
Woodin." 

County  finances  April  4,  1849: 

Appropriation    and   expenses $2,727.76 

Revenue   for    1848 2,256.75 

Fines  and  licenses 328.25 

Rent  of  court  house 25-6s 

County    indebtedness 1,527.05 

1848,  J.  A.  Grain  and  James  Schofield  were  appointed  West  Point  cadets 
from  the  6th  district. 


166  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

January  24,  1849,  J-  H.  and  P.  Manny  advertised  the  Manny  Harvester  in 
the  Freeport  Journal.  The  shop  was  then  conducted  at  Waddams  Grove.  "The 
machine  will  cut  a  level  swath  at  any  height  the  man  at  the  wheel  may  desire. 
He  adjusts  the  machine  to  suit  the  height  of  the  grain.  The  grain  is  conveyed 
by  the  machine  directly  to  the  wagon  from  the  knives  as  it  is  cut,  or  it  will  leave 
the  grain  in  the  — ? —  to  be  bound  by  hand.  Two  horses  will  draw  the  ma- 
chine. Fifteen  acres  can  be  cut  in  a  day,  the  machine  cutting  five  feet.  It  will 
pass  over  stumps  not  over  two  feet  high.  The  price  of  a  machine  is  $250." 

Threshing  cost  5  cents  a  bushel  in  1848. 

The  following  ad  explains  itself :  "Cash  paid  for  hauling  wheat  to  Chicago. 
60  teams  wanted  immediately,  for  which  the  highest  price  will  be  paid.  D.  A. 
Knowlton." 

"Last  Call.  All  persons  indebted  to  Emmert  &  Strohm  must  pay  up  im- 
mediately, or  "Fred"  or  the  constable  will  be  after  an  introduction." 

In  1852,  the  circuit  court  indicted  William  Peoples  and  W.  M.  Denton  for 
passing  counterfeit  money  and  they  were  sentenced  to  years  imprisonment.  Later 
they  were  granted  a  new  trial. 

Norton's  Book  Store  established  a  circulating  library  in  1852. 

A  large  addition  to  Stephenson  County  Hotel  completed,  August,  1849. 

A  public  dinner  was  served  to  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner,  at  the  Eagle  Hotel, 
April  19,  1849.  All  were  invited.  Music  was  furnished  by  the  Freeport  Brass 
Band.  S.  D.  Carpenter,  editor  of  the  Democrat  was  orator  of  the  day.  Mr. 
Turner  responded  with  an  able  speech.  It  was  a  non-partisan  affair.  The  com- 
mittee on  arrangements  were:  A.  T.  Green,  Charles  Beth,  D.  A.  Knowlton,  F. 
A.  Strocky,  M.  M.  Woodin  and  Nelson  Martin.  Mr.  E.  Torrey  was  president 
of  the  day.  Eleven  regular  toasts  were  given,  after  the  dinner  at  the  Eagle 
Hotel  and  seven  volunteer  toasts  followed. 

The  day  was  in  honor  of  Mr.  Turner  as  the  district's  congressman,  1846- 
1848. 

The  Journal,  May  23,  1849:  "Whig  Postmaster  at  Freeport!  It  gives  us 
great  pleasure  to  announce  the  appointment  of  that  staunch  and  reliable  whig, 
George  Reitzell,  to  the  office  of  postmaster  in  this  village." 

In  the  Journal,  November  30,  1848,  S.  D.  Knight  calls  attention  to  his  store 
by  the  following  head-lines : 

"Revolution  in  Freeport, 
Vive  La  Republique." 

Emmert  &  Strohm's  ad  in  1848,  December  13,  appealed  to  young  ladies  with 
tendencies  toward  matrimony.  It  said :  "O,  Ladies !  Call  at  Emmert  &  Strohm's 
and  examine  those  beautiful  toilet  articles.  Purchase  some  of  those  perfumes 
that  tickle  so  finely  the  noses  of  the  sterner  sex.  Heed  this  advice  if  you  are 
after  a  beau,  and  if  you  have  caught  one,  heed  that  you  may  keep  him." 

The  "Sons  of  Temperance"  held  a  public  meeting  in  the  Presbyterian  church, 
December  15,  1848.  Mr.  James  Turner  and  Mr.  C.  A.  Clark  addressed  the 
meetings. 

The  third  issue  of  the  Freeport  Journal,  November  30,  1848,  made  a  strong 
appeal  for  the  establishment  of  factories.  It  argued  that  a  county  and  a  city 
could  not  be  built  up  without  factories. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  167 

The  Journal  of  1852,  September  25,  goes  hard  after  Thompson  Campbell. 
It  appears  that  Campbell  had  pledged  700  abolitionists  that  he  was  in  favor  of 
prohibiting  slavery  in  the  territories,  abolishing  slavery  in  the  District  of  Col- 
umbia, opposed  to  admission  of  Slave  States  to  be  made  out  of  Texas  or  other 
territory,  favors  the  repeal  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  and  urges  all  constitutional 
means  to  restrict  the  slave  trade. 

Speaking  of  the  old  cemetery  the  Journal  said,  June  3,  1850:  "A  great  por- 
tion of  the  grounds  are  unprotected.  Not  a  single  tree  is  there  to  spread  its  quiet 
shades  around.  There  is  no  fence  (except  in  a  few  cases)  to  shield  the  dust  of 
departed  friends  from  being  trampled  and  torn  by  the  beasts  of  the  field." 
The  edition  then  urged  the  building  of  an  iron  fence  at  a  cost  of  $200.00. 

Mr.  Pells  Manny  advertised  his  new  self-raker,  drop  reaper  and  clipper 
February,  1850.  The  drop  became  the  usual  reaper  till  the  binder  was  per- 
fected many  years  later. 

Dr.  J.  V.  H.  Judd  located  permanetly  in  Freeport  in  1850. 

Journal,  April  29,  1850 :  "Wanted,  a  quantity  of  wood  at  this  office  to  apply 
on  account." 

MORE    ADVERTISING    IN    1850. 

Great  excitement  at  the  post  office ; 
New  goods  and  new  prices ! ! 

In  this  way  John  Black  called  attention  to  the  "largest  and  best  stock  of 
goods  ever  offered  to  the  citizens  of  the  county."  He  stood  ready  to  prove  that 
goods  were  selling  cheaper  than  the  high  tariff  prices  of  previous  years. 

Folloch,  the  barber,  advertised  in  1850,  "That  ladies  could  have  their  heads 
shampooed  at  home  if  they  wished  and  that  gentlemen  who  were  being  shaved 
by  the  month  or  quarter  would  be  furnished  with  a  lather  box  and  brush  ex- 
clusively for  their  own  use." 

January  10,  1851,  D.  A.  Knowlton  advertised  that  he  would  receive  "Span- 
ish quarters"  at  25  cents  in  trade  or  on  debts.  He  scored  merchants  who 
were  allowing  only  20  cents  for  them. 

John  L.  Burgers,  a  son  of  W.  L.  Burgers  of  Rock  Run,  was  bitten  by  a 
poisonous  snake,  June  15,  1850.  The  poison  spread  rapidly  through  his  sys- 
tem and  he  died  in  eleven  hours. 

Godey's  Lady's  Book  was  the  "Ladies  Home  Journal"  of  1850. 

Raymond  Co.'s  extenstive  menagerie,  being  the  largest  and  rarest  collec- 
tion of  wild  beasts,  birds  and  reptiles,  will  exhibit  at  Freeport,  Saturday,  July 
13,  1850.  Admission  25  cents. 

Journal,  August  23,  1850:  "Our  town  has  been  honored  the  past  week  by 
a  'traveling  theatre  company,'  with  its  usual  attendants,  viz. :  rowdyism  and 
intemperance.  It  will  be  well  for  good  citizens  of  neighboring  towns  not  to  be 
taken  in  by  the  boastful  pretensions  of  the  'Robinson  Family.' " 

In  1850,  Rev.  Parker  for  the  Presbyterian  and  Rev.  DeVore  for  the  Metho- 
dists held  big  revival  meetings  in  Freeport. 

The  Messrs.  Stowell  of  Waddams  Grove,  invented  and  manufactured  a  sod 
fence  machine.  They  claimed  it  would  be  possible  to  build  a  mile  of  fence  per 
day.  The  machine  was  drawn  by  oxen  and  cut  the  sod  in  strips  and  laid  it  up 


168  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

in  a  durable  fence.    Four  men  and  five  yoke  of  oxen  were  required  to  operate 
the  machine. 

ADVERTISING 1852. 

The  advertisers  in  1852  continued  the  style  of  1847.  Block  &  Lowenthal, 
corner  of  Stephenson  and  Adams  streets,  called  attention  to  their  goods  as 
follows : 

Look  Out,  Clear  the  Track, 

Freeport  Railroad 

Clothing   Depot. 

Block  &  Lowenthal — Just  Arrived,  etc. 

J.  S.  Emmert  &  Co.  attracted  attention  by:  "Spirit  Rappings!  call  and  ex- 
amine and  if  you  are  not  pleased  with  the  elephant,  we  will  charge  you  nothing 
for  the  sight." 

Excelsior!  in  big  type  announces  G.  G.  Norton's  book  store  bargains.  Stib- 
gen  &  Engle  have  a  big  ad  for  the  Stephenson  County  Hardware  Co.  A  pic- 
ture of  a  loaded  freight  train  calls  attention  to  D.  A.  Knowlton's  new  and  up- 
to-date  stock  of  goods. 

"Kossuth  in  Freeport" — In  order  to  procure  his  arrival  you  must  call  at 
the  third  house  below  the  Winneshiek,  for  the  woodwork  of  wagons  and  car- 
riages, by  R.  Moorland. 

S.  Sutherland  has  a  big  ad  for  his  "new  merchant  and  grist  mill,"  on  Rich- 
land  Creek  near  Wilcoxen's  Mill.  "The  mill  will  be  known  as  Sciota  Mill, 
Pennsylvanians,  this  is  the  mill  for  you!  We  will  only  toll  a  tenth;  Buckeyes, 
Yankees,  or  the  hardy  sons  of  Ireland's  Isle,  you  shall  be  used  alike  and  have 
your  turn.  Jackson  Bower,  an  experienced  miller,  will  receive  your  grist  in 
English  or  Dutch.  We  want  our  mill  enrolled  in  the  memory  of  the  dear 
people  of  the  county  who  care  for  the  body  as  well  as  the  soul." 

"Smith  O'Brien  Escaped!  and  the  Freeport  Cabinet  Warerooms  refitted!  is 
the  head  of  a  long  ad  by  Snyder  &  Wade,  below  the  Winneshiek. 

The  "Jenny  Lind"  livery  stable,  run  by  Chas.  Butler  and  Daniel  Powell,  made 
a  bid  for  business  but  added  poetically: 

Don't  ride  till  you're  able 
When  you  ride  be  sure  to  pay, 
Credit  won't  buy  oats  or  hay ! 

There  were  numerous  ads  for  hair  dyes,  snuff  and  "segars." 

INTERESTING  ITEMS— 1850-2. 

Mr.  Crouse  of  Ohio  took  charge  of  the  Winneshiek  House  in  July,   1852. 

Barna  T.  Stowell,  Esq.,  of  Waddams  Grove,  invented  a  self-loading  and 
dumping  cart,  which  he  exhibited,  July  19,  1852.  The  machine  worked  ad- 
mirably and  fulfilled  the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  the  inventor. 

Spalding  and  Roger's  North  America  Circus  showed  in  Freeport,  August 
24,  1852. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  169 

The  Journal  of  June  10,  1850,  says,  "Last  year  (1849)  tne  population  of 
Freeport  was  1,020.  This  year  a  census  has  been  taken  and  shows  an  increase 
of  480,  making  the  population  1,500.  Sixty  new  dwelling  houses  have  been 
begun  this  spring." 

The  Journal's  circulation  in  1851  was  323  and  that  of  the  Prairie  Demo- 
crat was  348,  both  weeklies. 

In  July,  1851,  both  the  Democrat  and  the  Journal  had  long  discussions  on 
the  short  dress  and  "bloomer  costume"  that  were  then  trying  to  become  the 
vogue. 

The  Freeport  Temperance  Society  was  organized  at  the  Baptist  church, 
July  ii,  1851. 

In  1851,  a  movement  was  under  way  to  build  a  plank  road  from  Freeport 
to  Monroe,  Wisconsin.  That  would  bring  the  trade  of  southern  Wisconsin 
to  Freeport  and  then  to  Chicago,  via  the  coming  railroad. 

Brewster  &  Wheeler's  nursery  had  150,000  trees  in  1851. 

In  J.  H.  Manny's  ad  for  his  reapers  and  mowers,  September  12,  1851,  were 
the  endorsements  of  almost  100  citizens  of  Stephenson  County. 

Journal,  October  3,  1851:  "Psychology. — A  fellow  calling  himself  Dr.  Den^ 
nis,  has  been  endeavoring  to  lecture  to  some  of  our  citizens  for  several  evenings 
on  this  humbug  Science." 

A.  H.  Wise  advertised  the  "Kossuth  Hack"  from  Freeport  to  the  railroad 
in  1852. 

March  19,  1852,  there  was  held  in  Freeport  an  Irish  patriot  mass  meeting. 
The  meeting  was  held  in  the  courthouse  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  demon- 
stration in  behalf  of  Smith  O'Brien,  John  Mitchel  and  other  Irish  exiles  and 
prisoners.  Thomas  Egan  was  chairman  and  Phillip  Hogan,  vice  president;  and 
Edward  Burke,  secretary.  A  committee  on  resolutions  was  appointed  and  H. 
Bright  addressed  the  meeting. 

In  June,  1852,  Mease  &  Ely  opened  a  new  steam  flouring  mill  in  Freeport. 

A  terrific  storm  passed  through  Oneco  Township  in  June,  1852,  blowing 
down  John  Sheckard's  barn,  tore  up  trees,  scattered  grain  and  killed  hogs, 
sheep  and  calves. 

ADVERTISING. 

J.  S.  Emmert  endeavored  to  do  a  little  advertising  by  telegraphy,  the  line 
being  expected  from  Rockford  any  day  in  1851.  His  ad  was  headed: 

BY  TELEGRAPH. 

The  news  came  by  telegraph  this  morning.  The  man  who 
catches  lightning  from  the  wires,  was  dazzled  by  its  brightness. 
When  he  recovered  his  vision,  he  saw  "in  characters  of  living  light" 
that  the  customers  of  J.  S.  Emmert  will  do  well,  etc. 

^  October  22,  1851,  George  W.  Oyler  advertised  his  Tontine,  eating  saloon, 
nearly  opposite  to  the  Winneshiek  House.  He  served  oysters,  pig  feet,  veni- 
son, tripe,  beefsteak,  quail,  ducks,  fish,  etc.,  "in  short,  everything  calculated 


170  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

to  make  a  person  laugh  and  grow  fat."    He  adds  this :  P.  S.  "Buckwheat  cakes 
at  all  hours.    Persons  attending  court,  call  and  try  my  fixin's." 
Emmert  &  Burrell  ran  a  soda  fountain  in  1854-5. 

A  Mr.  Walker  who  quarreled  with  his  wife  and  step-son  suicided  April, 
1855,  by  jumping  into  the  Pecatonica  River. 

W.  C.  Clark  took  charge  of  the  Clark  House  June,  1855.  It  was  the  old 
Stephenson  House  remodeled. 

Journal,  1855,  June  7:  "Freeport  receives  and  sells  more  merchandise  than 
Rockford  and  does  a  better  railroad  business  than  Rockford."  Our  love  for 
Rockford  began  early. 

Shipments  from  Freeport  in  1855  were: 

Wheat  shipped bu.      347,012 

Pork   shipped Ib.  3,206,808 

Potatoes  shipped  bu.        34,000 

Corn  shipped   bu.      378,758 

Oats  shipped    bu.      113,029 

Rye  shipped  bu.      181,323 

Butter  shipped    Ib.       90,000 

Wool  shipped   Ib.        16,900 

The  Freeport  Union  Chorus  Society  gave  a  concert  at  Plymouth  Hall  De- 
cember 31,  1855. 

Hugh  Jones  was  found  frozen  to  death  in  Silver  Creek  Township,  January 
2,  1856.     He  was  intoxicated  and  lost  his  way  while  returning  from  Freeport. 
The  following  were  elected  supervisors,  April,  1854: 

Harlem    William  Buckley. 

West  Point M.  Lawyer. 

Silver  Creek  M.  Hettinger. 

Lancaster   V.  Hemmenway. 

Buckeye  F.  Bolender. 

Loran G.  W.  Andrews. 

Florence L.  Lee. 

Rock  Grove John  Voght. 

Waddams  Levi  Robey. 

Rock  Run J.  A.  Davis. 

Oneco    Andrew  Hines. 

Ridott G.  A.  Farwell. 

Erin   Wm.  Goddard. 

Winslow P.  Sweeley. 

Freeport A.  W.  Rice. 

In  1854  the  following  erected  new  buildings  in  Freeport:  Judge  Farwell,  Mar- 
tin &  Karcher,  Mitchell  &  Putnam  and  E.  H.  Hyde.  The  building  of  the  last 
named  gentleman  included  a  public  hall. 

In  February,  1855,  a  deep  snow  fell.  The  Journal  says  that  only  four  mails 
were  received  from  the  east  in  two  weeks. 

The  assessed  valuation  of  property  in  Freeport  in  1853  was: 

Real  estate $1,789,904 

Personal  property 982,096 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  171 

Rymal  &  Wilmot  employed  about  25  men  in  1854,  manufacturing  plows. 
The  annual  output  was  1,000  plows. 

Horace  Mann  gave  two  lectures  in  Freeport  under  the  auspices  of  the  Liter- 
ary Institute,  March  21,  1854. 

In  1855,  N.  W.  Edwards,  the  first  superintendent  of  schools,  made  a  tour  of 
inspection  of  schools  in  Stephenson  County. 

The  Journal,  September  2,  1852,  gives  great  praise  to  the  Teacher's  Insti- 
tute held  at  the  Union  school. 

The  Journal,  1855,  October  25,  announces  the  law  partnership  formed  by 
T.  J.  Turner  and  H.  C.  Burchard,  "the  late  popular  principal  of  the  Union 
school."  The  Journal  paid  Mr.  Burchard  a  high  compliment  and  prophesied 
his  success  at  the  bar. 

ADVERTISING. 

Emmert  &  Bastress  employed  literary  genius  in  placing  before  the  public 
their  new  cleaning  preparation  in  October,  1859,  as  follows: 
"Awake  snakes  and  come  to  judgment, 
Glad  tidings  of  great  joy !" 

Bring  on  your  dirty  clothes  and  have  the  filthy  scum  of  human  impurities 
rinsed  and  soaked  out  of  them  with  one  half  the  usual  labor.  Old  worn-out 
superannuated  washer-woman :  Ye  wives  of  dirty  husbands !  Yes,  even  those 
beautiful  and  simpering  creatures  whose  pretty  fingers  are  altogether  unac- 
customed to  the  drudgery  of  cleansing  dirty  clothes.  Wake  up  and  rejoice  in 
the  hour  of  your  deliverance  from  servile  drudgery.  Emmert  &  Bastress  have 
on  hand  and  for  sale  what  they  call  "Renovating  Mixture,"  etc.,  etc. 
December  5,  1849,  Journal  ad : 

"The  Hewes  of  Buena  Vista ! ! 
Adam  Franz  and  Old  Jack  1 ! ! 
Have  entered  into  a  copartnership  to  do 
Blacksmithing  business  on  Galena  street." 

In  the  October  loth  issue  of  the  Journal,  1849,  the  following  ad  was  in- 
serted : 

TEACHER  WANTED. 

A  person  well  qualified  to  teach  in  the  common  school  will  find  employment 
for  the  coming  winter  by  applying  soon.  Inquire  of  Jared  Sheetz,  James  Hart 
or  George  Miller.  Directors  of  District  No.  2,  five  miles  west  of  Freeport. 

In  October,  1849,  J-  H.  Schlott  and  Jacob  Stibgen  began  the  manufacture  of 
the  J.  C.  Miller  &  Co.  grain  drills  at  Freeport.  The  drill  was  a  two  horse  simple 
affair  and  sowed  five  rows. 

Crane  &  Co.'s  circus  exhibited  in  town  last  Tuesday,  said  the  Journal,  August 
8,  1849. 

Journal,  August  15,  1849:  "Somebody  has  sheared  the  mane  and  tail  of  Mr. 
Jones'  horse,  whereas.  Friend  Carpenter  comes  down  on  the  whigs  like  thou- 
sand brick.  If  true  it  is  contemptible,  but  not  half  as  contemptible  as  trying  to 
make  a  neighborhood  quarrel  out  of  politics." 


172  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


PIONEER  EDUCATION. 

With  the  pioneers  of  northern  Illinois,  the  establishment  of  schools  was  a 
natural  process.  A  large  number  of  the  settlers  of  Stephenson  County  from 
1833  to  1835,  were  from  New  England,  New  York  and  Pennsylvania.  Many 
of  them  were  graduates  of  academies  and  seminaries  of  the  east.  They  came 
west  because  of  the  greater  opportunities.  Cheap  land  meant  to  them  large 
farms  and  a  competence.  But  they  brought  with  them  the  wilds  of  Stephenson 
County,  that  which  could  not  be  lost,  the  culture  and  inspiration  of  those  east- 
ern schools.  No  sooner  were  the  log  cabin  homes  built  and  a  small  clearing 
made,  than  these  people  set  to  work  with  willing  hands,  to  build  the  log-  school 
house.  It  was  by  studied  plan  or  new  thought  that  public  schools  sprang  up  in 
the  county — it  was  the  natural  spontaneous  activity  of  a  people  who  themselves 
had  had  the  advantages  of  an  education.  Like  the  church,  the  school  was  brought 
here  and  established  by  the  settlers. 

Many  of  the  settlers  came  from  Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  North  Carolina. 
Some  for  a  time  had  remained  in  Southern  Indiana  and  Illinois.  These  set- 
tlers, while  they  had  not  been  so  familiar  with  the  free  public  school  idea,  yet 
had  had  the  benefit  of  the  system  of  private  instruction  prevailing  in  the  South. 
So  they,  too,  were  in  favor  of  education.  All  over  the  county  were  a  number 
of  strong  families  from  Old  England,  and  large  colonies  of  German  people  from 
the  Fatherland.  These  people  in  different  ways  modified  the  educational  spirit 
sentiment  of  the  county. 

With  such  a  population  from  New  England,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  and 
the  South,  from  Old  England  and  Germany,  education  could  not  fail  to  make 
progress. 

The  sparsely  settled  country,  panics  and  the  "Internal  Improvement"  blunder 
that  almost  bankrupted  the  state  and  made  necessary  heavy  taxes,  hindered  edu- 
cational progress.  In  1844,  the  legislature  made  a  start  in  the  right  direction  and 
passed  additional  legislation  in  1847,  1849  and  1851.  In  1855,  an  educational 
measure  was  passed  that  comprised  all  the  essential  features  of  former  measures 
and  included  new  features  among  which  was  "the  sovereign  rights  of  the  state 
to  levy  and  collect  a  sufficient  tax  from  real  estate  and  personal  property  to  be 
expended  in  providing  its  youth  a  common  school  education." 

In  a  state  that  squandered  millions  on  wildcat  internal  improvements,  there 
was  strong  opposition  to  this  measure  for  public  taxation  for  schools.  A  vig- 
orous attempt  was  made  to  have  the  law  repealed,  but  all  attempts  failed.  These 
state  laws  marked  the  beginning  of  the  end  of  the  "subscription  school."  A 
voluntary  subscription  school  was  not  broad  enough  in  its  foundation  for  the 
basis  of  a  school  system  of  a  great  state.  Such  a  system  taxed  the  well  to  do,  if 
they  had  children,  heavier  than  the  present  scheme,  and  made  education  pro- 
hibitive to  the  children  of  the  poor.  Besides,  in  a  school  maintained  by  volun- 
tary subscription  month  by  month,  the  very  existence  of  the  school  often  de- 
pended on  the  "catering"  of  the  teacher  to  the  whims  and  prejudices  and  jeal- 
ousies of  the  subscribers  who  withdrew  support  if  the  school  was  not  run  to 
suit  them.  This  happened  occasionally  and  school  stopped  in  the  middle  of  the 


FIRST  STONE  SCIIOOLHOUSE,  LENA 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  173 

term.  The  whole  scheme  was  a  mere  makeshift,  the  best  that  could  be  done 
for  the  time,  and  passed  into  history  with  first  rude  shacks  built  in  the  wilds  of 
early  Illinois.  It  was  not  a  system  at  all. 

Today  it  is  generally  recognized  as  the  duty  of  the  state  to  provide  free 
public  schools  for  its  children.  Most  men  even  concede  that  such  a  system  is  an 
economic  necessity — that  it  is  cheaper  in  the  end  to  tax  all  the  people  for  the  edu- 
cation of  all  the  state's  children,  than  it  is  to  support  them  in  ignorance  and 
crime.  A  century  ago,  the  old  idea  that  education  was  a  private  rather  than 
a  public  interest,  was  breaking  down.  The  ordinance  of  1787,  voiced  the  idea  of 
public  education  when  it  said :  "Religion,  morality  and  knowledge  being  nec- 
essary to  good  government  and  the  happiness  of  mankind,  schools  and  the 
means  of  education  shall  forever  be  encouraged."  Besides,  as  the  state  is  the 
agency  through  which  all  the  people  act,  the  state  is  the  best  means  fog  es- 
tablishing a  state-wide  educational  system. 

In  1785,  the  Congress  of  the  Confederation  passed  an  ordinance  establishing 
for  the  northwest  territory,  the  present  system  of  land  surveys,  laying  off  the 
county  in  townships  six  miles  square.  This  ordinance  also  decreed  that  the  i6th 
section,  or  1 736  of  each  township,  should  be  set  apart  for  maintaining  public 
schools  in  that  township.  In  1818,  when  Illinois  became  a  state,  congress  gave 
these  lands  to  the  new  state  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  education.  At  the  same 
time,  1818,  congress  also  promised  3%  of  the  net  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  all 
public  lands  in  Illinois  after  January  i,  1819,  to  be  appropriated  by  the  leg- 
islature for  the  encouragement  of  learning.  So,  indeed,  the  beginning  of  the 
great  public  school  system  of  Illinois  is  to  be  found  in  the  foresight  and  in  the 
generous  provision  of  the  congress  of  the  United  States. 

The  state  was  slow  to  take  advantage  of  its  opportunities.  In  1825,  a  law 
was  passed  by  the  state  legislature  providing  for  a  system  of  free  schools  which 
might  be  supported  partly  by  public  taxation.  This  law  was  ahead  of  public 
sentiment  and  was  soon  repealed.  Persistent  agitation  was  necessary  to  arouse 
the  people  and  bring  public  sentiment  up  to  the  point  of  maintaining  a  system 
of  public  schools  by  general  taxation.  Among  the  pioneers  of  this  period  were 
Newton  Bateman  and  Professor  W.  J.  Turner  of  Illinois  College.  Provision  was 
made  for  school  township  and  school  district  officials.  The  office  of  county 
superintendent  of  schools  was  created  and  the  secretary  of  the  state  was  made 
ex-officio  state  superintendent  of  schools.  In  1854,  the  office  of  state  superin- 
tendent was  created  separate  from  that  of  secretary  of  state.  Finally,  in  1855, 
37  years  after  Illinois  became  a  state,  a  general  school  law  was  adopted  which 
became  the  foundation  of  the  present  school  system  of  the  state.  The  new  law 
provided  for  free  schools  by  local  taxation  and  aided  by  the  state  school  funds. 
This  act  made  it  possible  for  districts  to  proceed  to  build  and  maintain  schools. 
In  1870,  a  step  farther  was  taken  in  the  new  state  constitution,  which  required 
the  legislature  to  "provide  a  thorough  and  efficient  system  of  public  schools 
whereby  the  children  of  this  state  may  receive  a  good  common  school  education. 
The  constitution  requires  a  school  system  "whereby  all  the  children  of  the 
state  may  receive  a  good  common  school  education."  The  school  board  in 
each  district  must  keep  a  sufficient  number  of  free  schools  to  accommodate  all 


174  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

the  children  of  the  district  and  "secure  to  all  such  children  the  right  and  oppor- 
tunities to  an  equal  education  in  such  schools." 

The  first  school  in  Stephenson  County  was  taught  by  Jane  Goodhue  in  Ran- 
somville,  a  mile  or  so  below  Winslow,  in  1834.  In  1836,  Thomas  Grain,  at 
Grain's  Grove,  employed  Charles  Walker  to  teach  his  children.  Walker  was 
to  give  them  the  plain  3  R's,  the  limited  rudiments  of  an  education.  Walker 
received  $25.00  a  month,  and  was  not  a  reliable  character.  He  remained  several 
months  teaching  the  children  and  later  developed  penchant  for  stealing  horses. 
He  kept  this  up  till  1838,  when  he  was  caught  and  sent  to  the  state  prison  at 
Alton.  In  the  summer  of  1837,  William  Ensign  conducted  a  school  at  the  resi- 
dence of  James  Timms  at  Kellog's  Grove.  During  the  same  year,  Nelson  Mar- 
tin, brother  of  Dr.  Chancellor  Martin,  opened  a  school  in  the  old  log  store 
building  on  the  Pecatonica  River,  Freeport,  not  far  from  the  foot  of  Galena 
street.  This  school  building  was  a  small  log  cabin,  14  x  10,  seven  foot  to  the 
eaves,  puncheon  floor  and  one  window.  As  the  storg  goes,  the  cabin  was  hauled 
up  town  in  1839  and  located  on  Galena  street. 

Mr.  Martin's  reputation  as  a  disciplinarian  has  come  down  to  us  in  a  tradi- 
tional way.  He  was  exacting  and  had  forbidden  skating  on  the  Pecatonica, 
the  penalty  being  a  flogging.  A  student,  John  Thatcher,  forgot  and  was  caught 
in  the  act  of  violating  the  Professor's  commandment.  Mr.  Martin  gave  young 
Thatcher  the  extreme  penalty,  and  the  boy  received  such  a  flogging,  that  the 
students  all  quit  school  except  the  children  of  two  families,  Davis  and  Hunt. 
As  it  was  a  subscription  school,  the  teacher's  income  was  thus  largely  cut  off  and 
in  a  short  time  the  school  stopped.  Among  the  students  of  this  school  were 
Frederick,  John,  Elmus  and  Thomas  Baker ;  John,  Ellen  and  Elizabeth  Thatcher ; 
Chloe,  Ann,  Rebecca,  Jane,  O.  P.  and  W.  W.  Smith;  A.  C,  Eliza,  Sara  and 
Hamilton  Hunt;  Polly  Strockey;  Enos  and  Salome  Fowler;  Michael  Reed  and 
Levi,  William  and  Olive  Davis.  In  the  winter  of  1838-9,  a  Mr.  Everett  reopened 
the  school.  Besides  the  students  who  had  started  under  Dr.  Martin  there  were 
Rivers  Fowler,  W.  H.  and  H.  W.  Hollenbeck,  A.  P.  Goddard  and  others.  The 
winter  of  1839-40,  Frederick  Buckley  taught  the  school.  The  next  school  was 
opened  by  a  Miss  Wright,  in  a  frame  building  at  the  corner  of  Galena  and  Chi- 
cago streets,  the  present  site  of  Moogk's  drug  store.  Rothilda  Buck  and  Lucinda 
and  Marilla  Williams  also  taught  in  this  house.  For  a  time  William  Buckley 
taught  a  school  in  Knowlton's  addition. 

By  1843,  tne  increase  in  population  made  a  demand  for  a  large  and  better 
school  house.  There  was,  as  yet,  no  taxation  for  school  purposes  and  a  build- 
ing was  built  by  popular  subscription.  It  was  a  frame  structure,  painted  red 
and  cost  about  $300.  It  was  located  on  Van  Buren  street,  a  short  distance  north 
from  the  court  house. 

This  one  story,  one  room  building  18  x  30,  was  Freeport's  school  house  till 
1850  when  the  Union  school  was  built  on  the  present  site  of  the  High  school. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  following  from  the  "Illustrated  Freeport,  by  the  Journal,  1896,  should 
be  preserved  in  the  history  of  education  in  Freeport: 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  175 


"In  April,  1843,  a  s^e  f°r  a  school  house  on  the  north  end  of  the  lot  on  Van 
Buren  street,  next  north  of  the  present  postoffice,  was  purchased  of,  and  deeded 
by  Philip  Fowler  to  the  township  trustees  of  schools.  Upon  this  ground  was 
erected  the  same  year 

THE  LITTLE  RED  SCHOOL  HOUSE, 

a  picture  of  which,  as  it  appeared  in  1850,  and  of  the  teachen  in  charge  and 
fifty-five  of  the  scholars  attending,  appears  on  the  following  page.  It  was 
reproduced  from  a  daguerreotype  Mr.  John  A.  Clark,  then  clerk  of  the  circuit 
court,  paid  $5.00  to  have  taken,  and  which  he  presented  to  the  teacher,  Miss 
Louisa  Burchard.  This  was  the  only  school  house  owned  by  the  Freeport  school 
district  until  the  erection  upon  the  site  of  the  present  high  school'  building  of  a 
large  two-story  brick  school  house  calld  the  Union  school  building.  Having 
purchased  this  new  site  and  levied  taxes  to  build  the  Union  school  house,  the  di- 
rectors of  the  district  proceeded  to  organize  the  Freeport  schools  upon  the  graded 
system.  They  rented  the  basements  of  two  of  the  churches  and  created  three 
departments  —  a  higher,  intermediate  and  primary.  Mr.  A.  B.  Campbell,  who 
had  previously  taught  a  private  school  in  Freeport,  was  employed  as  principal 
and  given  the  general  supervision  of  all  the  departments.  The  schools  were 
opened  April  12,  1850.  His  assistants  in  the  higher  departments  with  him  at 
first  were  Miss  Emily  Jackson,  who  married  John  K.  Brewster,  and  later  Miss 
Mary  Burchard,  sister  of  the  Hon.  H.  C.  Burchard;  in  the  intermediate,  a  Mr. 
Lutz  and  Miss  Delia  Hyde  ;  in  the  primary,  Miss  Louisa  Burchard,  now  Mrs.  H. 
D.  Converse,  who  lives  at  Maryville,  Missouri.  The  primary  department  was 
located  in  "the  little  red  school  house." 

It  must  be  difficult  to  distinguish,  and  after  a  lapse  of  forty-five  years,  name 
each  pupil  in  the  group,  but  Mrs.  Converse  recognizes  nearly  all,  and  among 
them  point  out  several,  now  men  and  women  grown,  who  are  well  known  to  our 
citizens.  In  front  of  the  window,  the  second  boy  from  the  farther  end  of  the 
row  on  her  right,  stands  Dexter  A.  Knowlton,  Esq.,  barefooted,  shoes  and 
stockings  in  his  hands.  The  middle  boy  of  the  three  sitting  in  the  front  row  is 
Steuben  Stoneman.  On  his  left,  third  boy  from  the  end,  is  John  Black,  in  the 
rear  of  whom  is  Urias  Mayer,  now  deceased.  In  the  same  second  row,  next  to 
Mayer,  and  on  his  left,  a  dark-haired  boy  with  broadf  forehead,  is  the  Hon. 
Michael  Stoskopf,  and  on  the  right  stands  Charles  Green,  who  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Freeport  bar,  and  died  two  years  ago.  In  the  rear,  between  Green 
and  Mayer,  is  Fred  Norton,  afterwards  a  lieutenant  in  the  United  States  navy. 
In  the  same  row,  to  the  left  of  Stoskopf,  the  boy  with  the  white  shirt  front  and 
turn  down  collar  is  Peter  Lerch,  now  living  in  Chicago,  and  the  large  boy  stand- 
ing on  the  steps  between  him  and  the  teacher  is  John  Rice,  a  nephew  of  Asahel 
W.  Rice,  then  living  in  Freeport,  now  in  Iowa.  The  boy  standing  in  the  front  row, 
with  the  belt  about  his  waist,  was  George  Carter,  a  brother  of  Mrs.  E.  L. 
Cronkrite.  Of  the  four  small  boys  sitting  on  the  steps,  the  first  next  to  him 
is  Charles  Smith  ;  the  second,  Chancellor  Martin,  who  became  a  West  Point 
graduate,  a  lieutenant  in  the  United  States  army  and  now  lives  in  New  York 
City;  the  third  is  the  Rev.  David  Burrell,  the  eloquent  pastor  of  one  of  the 


176  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

leading  churches  of  the  metropolis;  the  fourth  is  Charles  Sweet,  a  brother  of 
Mrs.  J.  A.  Grain ;  not  long  afterwards  he  was  drowned  in  the  Pecatonica  River. 

Among  the  girls  on  the  extreme  left  is  Julia  Sweet.  The  third  from  her, 
dressed  in  White,  is  Ellen  Clark,  a  daughter  of  John  A.  Clark.  On  her  right, 
just  behind  her  standing  between  the  window  and  the  corner  of  the  school  house, 
is  Ellen  Carter,  the  mother  of  Corporation  Counsel  William  N.  Cronkrite.  The 
girl  on  her  right,  her  face  near  and  below  the  corner  of  the  window,  was  Charles 
H.  Rosenstiel's  oldest  daughter  Matilda,  who  married  Dr.  Carey,  of  Beloit,  Wis., 
and  died  there  several  years  ago.  The  two  taller  girls  on  her  right,  next  to 
and  in  front  of  the  window,  are  Ellen  and  Josephine  Krinbill,  now  living  in 
Freeport.  The  girl  holding  in  front  of  her  the  large  bouquet  was  Amanda  Black, 
now  Mrs.  William  McHenry,  of  this  city.  On  her  left,  next  to  her,  stood  W. 
W.  Smith's  daughter  Mary,  who  died  at  her  father's  home  in  Freeport  a  few 
years  later.  A  glimpse  of  the  face  of  Mrs.  C.  H.  Chapman  (Anna  Stibgen)  is 
seen,  partly  hidden  by  the  boy  with  folded  arms  on  the  left  of  the  door.  The 
girl  standing  next  to  the  left,  her  dark  hair  covering  a  portion  of  her  forehead, 
was  Eva  Tarbox,  who  afterwards  became  the  wife  of  the  Hon.  J.  S.  Cochran, 
and  who  died  at  Freeport  in  1777. 

Among  the  pupils  were  others  who  grew  up  and  continued  to  reside  in  Free- 
port,  and  can  be  pointed  out  by  Mrs.  Converse. 

PIONEER  EDUCATION. 

"The  first  school  in  Freeport  was  held  in  1839,"  says  Thomas  J.  Turner,  in 
1866  in  the  "Northwest,"  "in  an  unfinished  building  on  Galena  street.  The  pro- 
prietor needed  his  room  and  the  school,  about  a  dozen  children,  moved  to  the 
log  store  on  the  river.  Later,  a  breaking  team  hauled  the  building  up  town  and 
located  it  where  the  Wilcoxen  block  now  stands.  The  last  use  of  this  build- 
ing was  as  a  cow  stable  in  a  dirty  alley."  A  similar  fate  awaited  the  old  red 
school  house  which  was  moved  away  and  used  as  a  livery  stable.  Later,  both 
were  burned. 

SCHOOLS. 

In  the  "Northwest,"  April  5,  1866,  Hon.  T.  J.  Turner  said:  "It  required 
great  labor  to  get  up  an  interest  in  schools  and  education  in  Freeport.  For 
many  years  all  efforts  to  create  a  school  fund  by  taxation  were  successfully  re- 
sisted. It  was  painful  and  amusing,  at  elections  called  for  that  purpose,  to  see 
large  numbers  of  poor  people  who  were  rich  in  nothing  but  children,  and  who  had 
no  property  to  tax,  march  up  and  vote  against  raising  any  revenue  for  school 
purposes ;  while  those  who  bore  the  burden  generally  voted  the  other  way.  The 
enemies  of  taxation  for  school  purposes  hoped  to  win  at  one  election  by  put- 
ting out  a  ticket  in  favor  of  an  enormous  tax,  so  as  to  divide  the  friends  of 
public  schools.  They  were  detected,  and  those  who  were  in  favor  of  a  reason- 
able tax  adopted  the  exhorbitant  ticket  and  it  carried." 

Mr.  Turner  also  says,  "We  have  been  providentially  spared  the  necessity  of 
having  academies."  He  adds,  "We  were  fairly  cheated  out  of  the  female  branch 
of  the  Wisconsin  &  Illinois  College  of  Beloit. 


KLOCK  SCHOOLHOI'SK  BUILT  IN  1847  BY  WILLIAM  KRAPE 


TIIF.   I.ITTI.K    KKD   S( '1 1< )( )l.l  K  IfSK 


LIBRARY 

OF  1HE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEFHENSON  COUNTY  177 

The  winter  of  1845-6,  the  teacher  was  D.  H.  Sutherland.  He  received  $20.00 
a  month  and  "boarded  round."  While  the  pay  seems  small,  yet  in  proportion  to 
the  times  it  was  quite  equal  to  the  pay  of  the  teachers  of  most  one  room  schools 
of  today.  One  of  the  students  was  a  negro  boy  "Black  Abe"  employed  in  the 
Brewster  family.  Race  feeling  was  aroused  when  the  Professor  seated  "Abe" 
by  a  white  boy,  whose  mother  at  once  read  the  "riot  act"  to  the  teacher.  The 
teacher  found  it  convenient  to  change  "Abe"  and  a  race  war  was  averted.  Abe, 
however,  remained  in  school.  One  of  the  students  who  attended  during  Pro- 
fessor Sutherlands  instruction  later  won  distinction  as  General  James  M. 
Schofield. 

The  first  school  in  Oneco  Township  was  taught  by  Mr.  Bissell  P.  Bellknapp, 
a  native  of  Vermont.  He  came  to  Oneco  in  1839.  In  1840,  at  the  house  of  Anson 
Denio  in  the  village  of  Oneco,  taught  the  first  school  in  the  township  of  Oneco. 

The  first  school  in  Winslow  was  held  in  Edward  Hunt's  wagon  shop  in  1840. 
In  this  primitive  school,  instruction  was  given  in  the  rudiments  of  an  education. 
A  wagon  shop  for  a  school  would  not  seem  so  out  of  place  today  when  schools 
are  paying  special  attention  to  industrial  training.  After  a  short  time  a  school 
house  was.  built  on  a  hill  southwest  of  the  city,  which  was  used  till  1872,  when 
a  larger  building,  a  frame  structure,  was  erected.  Paul  Chandler  is  supposed  to 
have  taught  the  first  school  in  Rock  Grove  about  1841.  A  permanent  school 
was  established  in  section  36,  in  1846.  About  Rock  City,  the  first  school  was 
located  on  the  Carnefix  farm,  but  when  a  village  was  laid  out,  a  stone  school 
house  was  built  and  was  opened  by  a  teacher  named  Searles.  The  first  teacher 
in  Silver  Creek  Township  was  Charles  Walker  who  was  employed  at  $75.00 
a  quarter  to  teach  the  children  of  Thomas  Craine.  History  is  uncertain  in 
regard  to  the  first  school  in  Loran  Township.  It  is  claimed  that  the  first  school 
was  taught  at  Kirkpatrick's  in  1840.  Others  claim  that  the  first  school  was  es- 
tablished in  1841,  in  section  2,  near  Babb's  church,  where  a  Mr.  Allison  was 
employed  by  Reuben  Babb,  Willian  Kirkpatrick  and  Anson  Andrews.  Two  early 
pedagogues  of  Jefferson  Township  were  George  Truckenmiller  and  a  Mr.  Bonne- 
man.  The  first  permanent  school  was  in  a  log  school  house  near  the  village 
of  Loran.  The  school  at  Eleroy  was  built  in  1855.  One  of  the  first  schools  in 
Ridott  ownship  was  the  Select  school  taught  in  a  log  house  on  the  farm  of 
Horace  Colburn.  In  1855,  a  frame  school  was  built  on  the  Harvey  P.  Water's 
farm  and  "served  14  years  as  school,  church,  lecture  room  and  house  of  enter- 
tainment." 

In  West  Point  Township,  William  Waddams  first  employed  a  private  teacher 
for  his  children.  In  1840,  a  log  school  was  built  on  Luman  Montague's  farm. 
In  1849,  a  log  house  on  the  Samuel  F.  Dodd's  farm,  near  Lena,  served  as  school, 
with  Miss  Maria  Pickard  as  teacher.  In  1850,  a  log  school  was  built  in  what 
is  now  Lena,  and  served  till  1854  when  the  old  stone  school  was  built.  In  1836, 
a  school  was  opened  three  miles  north  of  Cedarville  in  Buckeye  Township.  This 
was  a  typical  log  school,  no  window,  puncheon  floor  and  board  roof,  and  in  1840 
a  one-story  frame  school  was  built  in  Cedarville.  One  of  the  early  teachers  was 
Isaac  Allen  of  New  York,  who  is  still  remembered  by  Capt.  Reitzell,  one  of  his 
students,  as  a  teacher  of  great  force  of  character.  Other  early  teachers  were 
Miss  Julia  Putnam  and  a  Mr.  Chadwick.  In  1853,  a  school  was  conducted  in  the 


178  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

basement  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  in  1855  a  two-story  brick  building  was 
erected  by  taxation.  From  1857  to  1865,  a  Miss  Gorham  conducted  a  private 
school  in  Cedarville.  Among  the  early  teachers  in  Waddams  township  were 
Fayette  Goddard  and  Adeline  Hulbert.  In  Florence  Township,  the  first  school 
was  taught  in  1840  by  Miss  Flavilla  Forbes  in  what  was  known  as  the  "Academy," 
James  Hart's  old  log  house. 

"CORNSTALK  COLLEGE,"  DISTRICT  NO.  i. 

The  well  known  "Cornstalk  College,"  sometimes  called  the  "Block  School," 
and  one  now  known  as  Eldorado  school,  was  one  of  the  early  schools  of  Stephen- 
son  County.  It  was  located  in  Township  29,  north  Range  8,  and  was  in  Dis- 
trict No.  i.  This  school  district  has  always  been  noted  for  its  progressive  en- 
thusiasm and  loyalty.  In  1907,  at  Gift's  Grove,  a  home  coming  celebration 
was  held,  attended  by  former  students,  teachers  and  patrons  from  far  and 
near.  At  this  meeting,  C.  A.  Cadwell  read  a  history  of  the  district,  compiled 
after  great  industry  and  with  commendable  accuracy.  This  history  was  pub- 
lished and  contains  pictures  of  school  buildings,  teachers  and  students  and  citi- 
zens. In  this  work  the  district  has  set  an  example  that  should  be  followed  by 
every  district  in  the  country.  The  "History  of  Eldorado,"  in  its  116  pages  con- 
tains a  compilation  of  the  history  of  the  district. 

The  earliest  settler  was  Ezra  B.  Gillett  in  1837.  Joab  Marton  came  the 
same  year.  A  little  later  came  Isaac  Kleckner,  Mr.  Daggett,  Mr.  Kitchell, 
Mr.  Hoffman  and  a  Mr.  Loomis.  In  1839,  Alfred  Cadwell  and  Walter  Bel- 
knap  entered  claims,  also  B.  P.  Belknap,  G.  S.  Cadwell,  Mr.  Strader  and  Mr. 
Starr.  In  1841  Michael  Bolender  and  John  Bear  entered  claims.  Ira  Winchell 
came  in  1843;  Andrew  Swarts  in  1844;  and  Wm.  Krape  in  1840.  From  this 
date  the  neighborhood  was  settled  up  by  two  classes  of  people,  the  Yankee  and 
the  Dutch.  Because  of  different  customs  and  ideas  and  more  because  of  a 
difference  of  language,  the  two  classes  were  a  trifle  slow  in  mixing  properly. 

In  1841  a  subscription  school  was  opened  on  the  D.  C.  Gillett  claim  later  pur- 
chased by  Mr.  Hoffman.  The  schoolhouse  was  a  quarter  mile  south  and  a  quar- 
ter mile  east  of  the  Rocky  residence.  The  first  teacher  was  E.  B.  Gillett.  The 
following  attended  the  first  school :  The  children  of  Phillip  Wells,  Addison, 
Ottis,  Judson,  Mellissa,  Maria  and  Jane;  the  children  of  Warner  Wells,  George 
Paulina  and  Sopronia ;  Cornelia  Wells ;  Lorriston  and  Caleb  Roberts ;  Levi  and 
Matilda  Youngs ;  Edwin  and  Mary  Gillett ;  Cuyler  Gillett ;  Louis  and  Frank 
Bolender;  John  D.  and  D.  L.  Bear.  Other  teachers  were  Mr.  Hudson,  Hirarri 
Lilly  and  a  Mr.  Jones  who  taught  the  last  term  in  that  building  in  1846.  The 
summer  of  1847,  a  Miss  Hawley  taught  a  school  in  Mr.  Bolender's  cabin. 

In  1847,  the  settlers  decided  to  build  a  new  schoolhouse.  They  elected  Ezra 
B.  Gillett,  Joseph  Baumgartner  and  Michael  Bolender,  directors.  Each  free- 
holder agreed  to  furnish  the  logs  round,  while  others,  who  were  able  to  use  the 
broad  axe,  hewed  them  on  two  sides.  William  Krape  had  charge  of  the  building 
and  on  the  day  of  the  "raisin,"  Michael  Gift,  Michael  Bolender,  B.  P.  Belknap 
and  John  Bear,  Sr.,  were  stationed  one  on  each  corner  to  receive  and  notch  the 
logs  as  they  were  skidded  up  by  the  others.  After  the  walls  were  up,  Mr. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  179 

Krape  finished  the  building.  It  was  22x28  feet,  with  two  windows  on  each  side 
and  two  in  each  end.  To  'make  desks,  holes  were  bored  in  the  wall,  strong  pins 
driven  in  them  and  hewn  slabs  placed  on  the  pins.  The  seats  were  of  the  same 
kind  of  slabs  without  backs.  In  this  building  school  was  kept  for  nine  years. 
Cyrus  Howe  was  the  first  teacher.  He  began  December  24,  1847,  and  closed 
March  22,  1848.  It  was  a  subscription  school  till  1849,  when  on  the  5th  of  May, 
an  election  was  held  and  the  citizens  voted  a  50  cent  tax  to  maintain  a  school.  Oc- 
tober 6,  1849,  G.  S.  Cad  well,  Solomon  Kleckner  and  John  Hoffman  were  elected 
directors.  Asa  G.  Hemenway  was  the  first  teacher  supported  by  taxation.  In 
1856  the  walls  were  sided  with  lumber,  the  room  was  plastered  and  green  blinds 
were  hung  at  the  windows.  The  slab  desks  were  taken  out  and  black  walnut 
desks  were  substituted. 

One  of  the  teachers,  Dr.  E.  W.  Byers,  of  Monroe,  Wisconsin,  it  is  said,  put 
the  bad  boys  up  the  hole  into  a  dark  attic  for  punishment.  It  is  also  maintained 
that  Dr.  W.  W.  Krape  of  Freeport  would  be  able  to  explain  the  appearance  of  the 
attic.  At  another  time  while  wrestling,  one  of  the  big  boys,  F.  C.  Belknap. 
spoiled  the  teacher's  trousers  and  the  professor  was  compelled  to  borrow  a  long 
coat  for  the  afternoon.  Mr.  J.  C.  Potts,  a  fastidious  teacher,  kept  a  bottle 
of  Lyons  Catharian  for  the  hair,  on  his  desk.  At  an  opportune  time,  some  of 
the  young  lads  complicated  the  oil  and  used  it  on  their  own  heads,  thinking,  no 
doubt,  that  this  would  make  the  brain  wheels  run  smoothly.  Then,  so  the  pro- 
fessor might  not  be  disappointed,  they  filled  the  bottle  with  molasses  and  water. 
When  the  professor  blandly  applied  the  new  mixture,  the  process  aroused  con- 
siderable amusement  among  the  mischief  makers.  The  old  students  still  remem- 
ber the  exciting  times  at  the  "spelling  matches,"  and  declare  that  several  Corn- 
stalk College  students  knew  Sander's  speller  from  cover  to  cover.  Two  of  the 
sharks  were  William  Etzler  and  Addie  Cadwell.  For  years  J.  H.  Stover  kept 
a  singing  school  every  Saturday  night.  Occasionally  the  farmers  would  come  in 
sleds  and  cutters  and  haul  teacher  and  school  several  miles  over  the  snow  to 
visit  another  school.  Thus,  besides  the  learning  that  was  acquired,  the  school 
was  the  center  of  the  social  life  of  the  community.  In  1867,  a  special  tax  was 
voted  to  build  a  new  schoolhouse.  H.  W.  Bolender  built  the  structure,  which 
was  28x36  and  12  feet  high.  The  first  teacher  in  the  new  school  was  H.  W. 
Bolender,  who  built  it.  In  the  spring  of  1869,  the  Annual  County  Institute  was 
held  in  the  new  school.  The  patrons  of  the  district  furnished  gratuitous  board 
and  lodging  for  the  visiting  members.  Among  the  later  teachers  of  the  school 
are  found  the  familiar  names  of  C.  A.  Cadwell,  I.  E.  Kiester,  Henry  Collier,' 
Cyrus  Grove,  Carrie  A.  Musser  and  M.  M.  Baumgartner.  This  school  has  been 
running  for  63  years.  The  lowest  salary  paid  was  $20  a  month  and  the  highest 
$55.  The  largest  number  of  pupils  enrolled  was  63  and  the  smallest  number  12. 

The  law  requiring  the  United  States  flag  to  wave  over  every  school  build- 
ing was  passed  in  1893.  W.  W.  Krape,  of  Freeport,  had  not  forgotten  his  old 
school,  and  early  on  the  day  the  law  was  to  go  into  effect,  he  procured  a 
beautiful  10  foot  flag,  drove  to  the  school  and  aided  by  F.  C.  Bejknap,  erected 
a  flag  staff  and  floated  Old  Glory  over  "Cornstalk  College." 

The  public  school  was  the  "melting  pot,"  that  brought  together  the  Dutch 
from  Pennsylvania  and  the  Yankees  from  New  England  and  New  York.  Dif- 


180  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

rences  that  were  at  first  marked  and  emphatic  diminished  with  time  and  asso- 
ciation and  common  interests  soon  bound  all  together  in  mutual  cooperation. 
It  was  not  long  till  Yankees  were  selecting  Dutch  wives  and  the  Pennsylvanians 
were  marrying  into  Yankee  families. 

The  material  of  the  history  of  the  Block  school,  or  Cornstalk  College,  is 
taken  almost  entirely  from  Mr.  C.  A.  Cadwell's  excellent  sketch  of  District  No. 
I,  published  in  1907.  It  is  given  here  at  length  because  it  is  a  type  of  the  edu- 
cational progress  of  the  rural  districts  of  the  county.  Every  one  of  the  steps 
of  advancement  were  much  the  same.  First,  there  were  private  instructions 
or  subscription  schools  in  the  cabins  of  the  settlers.  A  little  later  a  log  school 
was  built  and  a  teacher  employed,  both  by  voluntary  subscription.  The  next? 
step  was  district  taxation  to  build  and  maintain  a  school. 

It  was  the  custom  in  the  earlier  day  to  engage  the  teacher  at  so  much  a 
month  and  "found,"  that  is,  a  teacher  was  paid,  say  $20  a  month  and  "boarded 
round,"  getting  his  meals  and  lodging  at  the  homes  of  the  "subscribers"  by 
turns.  This  simple  system  had  its  disadvantages  and  yet  had  some  advantage*.. 
Of  necessity,  the  teacher  became  better  acquainted  with  the  parents  and  the 
children.  The  school  and  the  home  were  brought  close  together. 

The  "log  school"  education  of  the  early  days  was  in  harmony  with  its  sur- 
roundings. Children  went  gladly  from  plain  log  homes  to  log  schools.  The  edu- 
cation offered  was  highly  prized  by  parents  and  students.  With  all  its  limita- 
tions, the  log  school,  with  slab  desks,  puncheon  seats  with  no  backs,  puncheon 
floor,  board  roof  and  greased  paper  windows,  if  window  at  all,  had  some  dis- 
tinct advantages.  There  was  lacking  an  elaborate  course  of  study,  but  there 
was  present  the  free,  unfettered  individuality  of  a  strong  teacher  who  was  his 
own  county  and  state  superintendent  and  made  his  own  course  of  studies  and 
program.  He  taught  a  few  things  but  taught  those  few  well.  Few  subjects 
were  studied,  but  they  were  mastered.  The  children  knew  what  they  knew. 
Books  were  rare  and  highly  appreciated.  Like  the  boy  Lincoln,  the  children 
were  fortunate  in  that  they  were  not  subjected  to  the  temptation  of  tons  of 
light  fiction  to  be  read  rapidly  and  superficially.  A  few  stories  of  great  char- 
acters took  deep  hold  on  their  lives,  and  made  strong  characters  that  did  the 
work  of  the  second  generation  of  Stephenson  County. 

State  Superintendent  Blair  says  of  the  log  schools  of  Illinois: 

"An  interesting  chapter  in  the  history  of  education  in  Illinois,  is  the  story 
of  the  log  school  house.  Illinois,  like  most  of  the  western  states,  was  earliest 
settled  in  the  wooded  regions.  The  log  cabin  and  the  log  schoolhouse  met  the 
need  of  the  conditions  of  those  early  times.  As  late  as  1860  there  were  1,447 
of  these  log  school  buildings  in  Illinois.  In  1890  the  number  had  decreased  to 
114.  In  1909,  there  were  reported  to  this  office  only  u  of  such  schoolhouses 
remaining.  Whatever  of  convenience  and  improved  facilities  the  modern  school 
building  has  brought  will  not  make  us  forget  the  great  good  which  was  ac- 
complished in  the  log  schoolhouses  of  Illinois." 

November  30,  1848,  Mr.  George  Scoville  advertised  the  opening  of  the  Free- 
port  high  school,  a  select  school,  in  the  basement  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
Tuition  for  12  weeks :  in  spelling,  reading,  grammar,  arithmetic  and  geography, 
$2.50;  in  algebra,  philosophy,  etc.,  $3;  languages,  including  English  studies,  $3.50. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  181 

The  Freeport  Seminary  for  Young  Ladies  opened  the  building  erected  by 
A.  H.  Wright  for  that  purpose,  July  30,  1849.  The  ad  of  the  seminary  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  James  Bentley,  stated  that  special  attention  would  be  given  to 
moral  and  religious  instruction,  and  in  addition  to  the  usual  studies  instruction 
would  be  given  in  drawing,  music,  painting,  embroidery,  etc.  French,  Latin  and 
Greek  were  also  taught.  Board  with  the  principal  and  teachers,  $1.25  a  week. 

Mr.  A.  B.  Campbell  of  the  Galena  Institute,  began  as  principal  of  Mr.  Sco- 
ville's  select  school,  November  19,  1849. 

In  1850  Jas.  Schofield,  F.  W.  S.  Brawley  and  J.  K.  Brewster  were  elected 
school  directors  for  Freeport. 

June  3,  1850,  the  directors  of  the  Freeport  schools  made  an  arrangement  with 
Professor  A.  B.  Campbell,  who  was  conducting  the  private  school  in  the  base- 
ment of  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  take  charge  of  the  Union  school.  He  still 
maintained  his  classes  in  the  church  but  had  the  use  of  both  district  schoolhouses, 
where  competent  teachers  were  employed.  The  Journal  of  that  date  said,  "By 
this  arrangement  a  proper  division  of  students  can  be  made  so  that  the  advance- 
ment of  one  grade  will  not  conflict  with  the  other;  while  the  higher  branches 
can  be  pursued  with  equal  facility  to  any  of  the  best  regulated  academies.  If 
this  system  receives  proper  encouragement  from  our  citizens,  it  will  render  the 
terms  of  tuition  so  low  that  it  will  be  within  the  reach  of  everyone  to  confer  a 
liberal  education  on  their  children." 

April,  1850,  a  "citizen"  published  a  column  and  a  quarter  article  in  the  Jour- 
nal in  favor  of  a  Union  school.  He  said  he  was  not  against  Select  schools,  but 
that  they  were  not  suitable  for  a  small  town. 

The  next  week  a  town  meeting  was  held,  Julius  Smith  as  chairman.  Rev. 
Schofield  moved  that  a  location  for  a  Union  school  be  selected.  The  motion 
carried  and  it  was  voted  unanimously  to  select  the  site  of  the  present  High 
school.  A  motion  by  D.  A.  Knowlton  and  seconded  by  T.  F.  Goodhue  was 
passed,  empowering  the  directors  to  secure  plans  for  the  building. 

Every  issue  of  the  Democrat  and  the  Journal  had  articles  by  the  citizens  fav- 
oring the  Union  school.  One  signed  "A  Friend,"  was  an  able  article  over  one 
column  in  length  and  made  an  urgent  plea  for  the  tax-payers  to  vote  the  tax.  He 
gave  a  vigorous  reply  to  "Close-fistedness." 

The  Journal  editor  remarked  that  the  "Wind  Work"  had  been  well  done  and 
urged  the  voters  to  go  to  the  polls  and  vote  the  tax. 

The  election  in  Freeport  to  tax  the  people  to  build  a  Union  school  was  held 
June  8,  1850,  and  carried  by  a  vote  of  125  to  9.  Five  hundred  dollars,  the  amount 
limited  by  law,  was  voted. 

Tuition  in  the  Freeport  schools  in  1851  was:   $1.59  for  60  days. 

The  Freeport  school  directors,  John  Rice,  D.  A.  Knowlton  and  E.  W.  Sals- 
bury  advertised  for  bids  for  the  Union  school  house,  June  13,  1851. 

May  7,  1852,  the  Journal  published  an  announcement  from  the  school  di- 
rectors that  the  Union  school  building  was  completed,  teachers  selected  and 
the  school  ready  to  begin.  The  directors  say  that  it  is  designed  to  combine  an 
English  and  Common  school  education,  with  a  course  of  instruction  in  the 
higher  branches  and  languages  equal  to  any  of  the  academies  and  seminaries. 
Mr.  W.  J.  Johnson,  a  teacher  of  acknowledged  reputation,  is  principal,  and  he 


182  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

is  assisted  by  the  Misses  Pickard,  Beckwith  and  Horder,  all  teachers  of  ex- 
perience. The  tuition  for  the  term  was  $1.25  per  scholar.  L.  W.  Guiteau,  E. 
W.  Salsbury  and  C.  Martin  were  school  directors.  In  1852,  May  28,  there  were 
over  200  scholars.  The  Journal  Editor,  after  a  visit  to  the  school,  said  editorially : 
"The  citizens  can  point  with  pride  to  the  Union  school  as  the  noblest  and  most 
useful  of  the  many  public  buildings  of  Freeport,  and  can  boast  of  having  the 
best  public  school  building  in  the  state." 

The  Freeport  Journal,  October  15,  1852,  gave  an  account  of  the  close  of  the 
first  year  of  the  Union  school  in  Freeport.  The  Journal  praised  the  idea  of  a 
Union  graded  school  that  had  been  so  successful  in  the  east  and  indicated  that 
the  first  year  of  the  idea  had  been  entirely  successful  in  Freeport.  "We  have 
witnessed  many  exhibitions  but  never  a  more  laudable  one  than  that  at  the 
close  of  the  first  term  of  the  Freeport  Union  school.  The  crowd  was  immense, 
numbering  some  four  or  five  hundred,  and  all  appeared  gratified." 

The  school  directors  were  L.  W.  Guiteau,  C.  Martin  and  Julius  Smith.  On 
October  9,  1852,  the  directors  gave  the  public  the  following  announcement 
through  the  Journal :  "The  fall  term  will  open  October  18,  under  Mr.  Wm. 
Johnson,  principal,  assisted  by  Mr.  James  S.  Oliver  and  Miss  Maria  M.  Packard 
in  the  higher  department,  and  Clara  Beckwith  and  Lydia  Orcutt  in  the  primary 
department.The  course  of  instruction  will  be  equal  to  that  of  the  best  academies." 

UNION   SCHOOL   EXHIBIT. 

The  Journal  of  March  I,  1855,  praises  highly  the  Union  school  exhibit  by 
Professor  H.  C.  Burchard  and  his  classes.  The  program  consisted  of  dialogues, 
essays  and  declamations.  The  Journal  says,  "Mr.  Burchard  is  earning  for 
himself  a  reputation,  by  his  zeal  and  industry  by  making  the  Union  school  what 
it  is.  In  spite  of  the  incubus  which  has  always  rested  upon  it.  The  receipts  of 
the  exhibition  amounted  to  $28.00  which  will  be  expended  for  a  library." 

SHORT   ITEMS  OF    INTEREST. 

Coon  and  Dickey  conducted  the  Freeport  Academy  in  1855.  The  same  year 
the  Freeport  Seminary  was  conducted  by  Waldenmeyer  and  Myers,  both  of 
the  New  York  State  Normal  school. 

FREEPORT    SEMINARY    EXHIBITION 1854. 

March  16,  1854,  Mr.  Bentley  of  the  Freeport  Seminary  gave  an  exhibition  in 
Concert  Hall  with  his  school.  "The  hall  was  densely  crowded  and  badly  ven- 
tilated," says  the  Freeport  Journal,  of  March  30,  1854.  A  large  part  of  the 
program  was  dispensed  with  on  account  of  the  noise  and  confusion  of  a  crowded 
house.  Mr.  Bentley  has  succeeded  in  keeping  up  a  school  for  many  years  in 
Freeport. 

The  Lena  School,  taught  by  Miss  Hyde,  also  gave  an  exhibition  in  March, 
1854.  The  editor  of  the  Journal  said,  "The  essays  showed  more  originality  and 
common  sense  than  is  usually  shown  in  such  programs." 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  183 

In  1857,  the  booklet  "Present  Advantages  and  Future  Prospects  of  the  City 
of  Freeport"  gave  the  following  description  of  the  city  schools:  "If  there  is 
any  one  thing  of  which  the  City  of  Freeport  may  justly  boast  as  her  chief  orna- 
ment, it  is  her  schools.  In  1856,  the  first  system  of  graded  instruction  was  put 
in  practice.  The  whole  city  and  its  environs  is  a  single  school  district.  The 
schools  are  free  to  all  and  supported  by  general  taxation.  Three  school  com- 
missioners are  elected  who  have  supervision  of  the  whole,  hire  all  the  teachers, 
and  direct  the  standard  of  promotion  to  higher  classes.  The  commissioners  are 
(1857)  H.  N.  Hibbard,  William  Buckley  and  F.  G.  Winslow.  There  are  three 
grades :  The  primary,  or  ward  schools ;  the  middle  schools,  and  the  high  school. 
The  high  school  is  the  upper  room  of  the  Union  school  building.  The  middle 
schools  are  in  the  lower  rooms  and  the  primary  schools,  four  in  number,  are 
scattered  about  the  city. 

The  primary  schools  are  open  to  all  without  examination.  At  stated  times  the 
commissioners  name  such  as  they  think  capable  of  entering  the  middle  schools. 
All  scholars  pass  to  the  high  school  by  a  thorough  examination.  In  the  high 
school  all  the  advantages  are  presented  which  can  be  found  in  the  academies  of 
the  east,  all  the  higher  English  branches  as  well  as  the  Classics  being  taught  there. 
The  system  has  worked  admirably  and  the  schools  at  this  time  are  in  popular 
favor. 

The  report  of  the  committee  of  examination  (1857)  says:  "These  results,  no 
doubt,  have  cost  earnest,  persevering  effort,  together  with  a  large  expenditure  of 
money,  but  the  effort  has  been  successful,  promising,  if  continued,  to  give  us 
schools  of  the  highest  excellence;  and  as  for  the  expenditure,  no|  citizen,  we 
think,  who  attended  the  examinations,  could  have  wished  that  a  dollar  less  had 
been  expended.  We  are  sure  that  every  dollar  expended  in  this  enterprise,  is 
so  much  added  to  the  value  of  real  estate,  and  helps  to  make  our  city  more  at- 
tractive and  desirable  as  a  place  of  residence.  Good  schools  can  not  fail  to  at- 
tract immigrants  of  the  first  class  to  make  valuable  additions  to  our  population, 
to  promote  general  intelligence  and  morality,  while  promising  ultimately  large 
returns  in  money." 

Henry  Freeman,  A.  M.,  was  principal  of  the  High  school  with  Mary  Noble 
as  assistant. 

At  this  time  (1857)  there  were  three  other  schools.  The  Female  Seminary, 
located  in  Plymouth  Hall  conducted  by  Miss  Mary  A.  Potter  of  New  York,  a 
lady  of  thorough  education.  The  booklet  says  that  several  gentlemen  propose 
to  assist  in  the  purchase  of  a  building. 

Miss  F.  B.  Burchard  had  a  Select  school  for  Misses  in  successful  operation 
in  the  Pennsylvania  Block. 

At  this  time  (1857)  a  Freeport  Commercial  College  was  running  in  the  Bank 
Block.  L.  D.  White  was  proprietor  and  teacher  of  bookkeeping.  J.  G.  Cross, 
teacher  of  commercial  calculations.  Hon.  T.  J.  Turner  and  Hon.  M.  P.  Sweet 
lectured  on  Commercial  Law. 

Friday,  October  7,  1853,  Rev.  J.  Coon,  assisted  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Dickson,  and 
Miss  H.  Cornelia  Bail  opened  the  Freeport  Academy.  Tuition,  $6.00  for  6 
months  in  the  English  branches  and  $10.00  in  Latin  and  Greek.  The  school 
was  started  in  the  basement  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  church. 


184  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

In  1852,  a  genius  opened  a  school  in  a  frame  building  where  later  stood  F. 
Bues  stone  block.  He  was  a  reformer  and  had  a  new  system  of  teaching  geog- 
raphy in  12  lessons  by  singing  the  capes,  rivers,  mountains,  etc.,  around  the  world. 
Freeport,  strange  to  say,  did  not  wax  enthusiastic  over  this  reformer,  and  after 
a  term  he  left.  His  successor  was  a  Mr.  Chandler,  a  good  teacher  and  an  up- 
right man,  but  exceedingly  sensitive.  One  evening  a  number  of  young  men, 
including  Chandler,  met  at  Mr.  Knowlton's  store  to  discuss  a  barrel  of  cider 
which  had  just  arrived.  The  temperance  people  were  against  cider  drinking 
and  when  it  was  noised  around  what  they  had  used  for  a  drinking  cup,  the 
thing  appeared  ridiculous  and  Chandler,  who  could  not  stand  the  laugh,  left  the 
city  in  disgrace,  as  he  supposed. 

PIONEER  PREACHERS. 

The  pioneer  preacher  was  a  product  of  pioneer  conditions,  and  he  adapteJ 
himself,  unconsciously  no  doubt,  to  the  life  of  the  people  about  him.  He  was, 
first  of  all,  an  exhorter.  Seldom  was  he  a  scholar  or  a  logician.  He  appealed 
directly  to  their  emotions  and  lived  and  worked  on  the  level  with  his  people 
because  usually  he  was  one  of  them.  His  strongest  point,  no  doubt,  was  to  point 
vividly  beautiful  pictures  of  heaven  and  the  awful  scenes  of  hell. 

One  author  says  of  them :  "Sometimes  their  sermons  would  turn  upon  mat- 
ters of  controversy,  arguing,  with  little  learning  but  much  fervor,  on  free  grace, 
baptism,  free-will,  election,  faith,  good  works,  justification,  sanctification,  ot  the 
final  perseverance  of  the  saints.  Vivid,  indeed,  were  the  startling  word  pic- 
tures drawn  of  the  hereafter,  and  imagination  never  failed  them  in  describing 
the  bliss  of  heaven,  and  the  awful  terrors  of  hell."  At  any  rate  they  were 
sincere. 

They  were  long-distance  speakers.  A  simple  theme  would  require  a  sermon 
of  i  l/2  or  2  hours.  Mr.  Parrish  says  that  the  sermons  were  tested  in  three 
ways,  by  their  length,  by  flowery,  ornate  language,  and  by  vigor  of  action  in 
delivery.  Oratorical  gymnastics  played  a  vital  part.  But  by  such  preaching  the 
people  were  interested,  they  were  deeply  moved  and  their  lives  were  markedly 
influenced. 

Among  the  pioneer  preachers  of  Illinois  were  Peter  Acres,  Zadoc  Casey  and 
Peter  Cartwright. 

THE   PIONEER  PHYSICIAN. 

The  treatment  of  disease  in  the  pioneer  days  was  as  primitive  as  the  life 
of  the  people  itself.  In  the  earliest  days  among  the  outlying  settlements  there 
were  no  regular  doctors  often  for  fifty  or  a  hundred  miles.  In  this  respect, 
as  in  all  others,  the  early  settlers  cultivated  a  spirit  of  self-reliance.  Home- 
made remedies  were  the  vogue  and  many  men  and  especially  the  women  were 
skilled  in  their  application. 

While  the  pioneer  times  always  had  their  characteristic  diseases  and  ail- 
ments, yet  the  people  were  fairly  free  from  disease.  Of  necessity,  they  lived 
much  in  the  open  air.  Houses  were  well  ventilated.  The  log  house  with  its 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  185 

crack  and  poorly  fitted  doors  and  windows  and  the  loosely  laid  clap-board  roof 
and  puncheon  floors,  were  admirably  adapted  to  the  inlet  of  fresh  air.  Men  and 
women  worked  much  in  the  fields  and  gardens,  and  lived  on  plain  and  whole- 
some food.  Such  a  life  naturally  built  up  strong  constitutions,  and  strong  con- 
stitutions, in  the  absence  of  the  trained  physician,  fought  the  battles  with  disease 
with  probably  a  better  chance  for  victory  than  the  weaker  physical  body  of  this 
day  aided  by  all  the  science  and  skill  of  the  physician. 

The  settlements  were  well  scattered  and  the  population  was  not  congested. 
For  this  reason  there  were  few  epidemics.  Any  contagious  or  infectuous  dis- 
eases soon  ran  their  course  and  disappeared.  Neighborly  cooperation  was  the 
prevailing  spirit.  When  any  family  was  stricken,  it  was  an  unwritten  law  that 
the  neighbors  took  turns  in  sitting  up  and  caring  for  the  afflicted.  While  there 
were  a  few  known  to  be  especially  "good  in  sickness,"  the  unselfish  spirit  was 
quite  general. 

The  bites  of  poisonous  snakes  was  one  difficulty  to  be  encountered.  There 
were  numerous  "cures"  for  this  affliction.  Everybody  knew  them,  even  the 
children.  When  a  person  was  biten  by  a  rattle  snake  or  other  venomous  reptile, 
some  simple  remedy  was  at  hand  and  applied  at  once.  One  remedy  was  to 
suck  out  the  poison  from  the  wound  and  spit  it  out.  A  plaster  of  clay  was  then 
applied.  A  more  common  remedy  was  the  "whiskey"  cure.  Any  person  suffer- 
ing a  rattle  snake  bite  was  given  a  large  quantity  of  whiskey  and  made  dead 
drunk.  This  was  an  effective  cure  and  as  liquor  was  commonly  kept!  in  the 
homes  by  the  gallon,  it  was  always  at  hand. 

The  early  community  was  almost  always  subject  to  the  "chills,"  or  ague. 
This  ailment  afflicted  the  new  communities  till  the  swamps  were  drained  out. 
There  were  numerous  remedies  for  the  "chills."  It  was  believed  that  a  person 
must  not  be  permitted  to  keep  still.  When  at  the  worst  in  a  sinking  chill,  they 
would  be  beaten,  rubbed  and  walked  around.  The  idea  was  that  if  not  kept 
thoroughly  active  they  would  die.  The  persons  "sitting  up"  with  the  victim, 
took  turns  in  exercising  their  patient.  The  treatment,  in  some  cases,  was  worse 
than  the  disease.  By  means  of  a  strong  constitution,  many  survived  both. 

Families  did  their  own  work  of  vaccination.  Mrs.  Amanda  Head,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  Turneaure,  tells  how,  as  a  girl  of  fifteen,  she  vaccinated  the  children 
in  the  family.  The  vaccine  was  put  on  a  silk  thread.  She  then  pinched  up  a 
place  on  the  arm  with  her  finger  nails,  and  ran  a  piece  of  the  silk  thread  through. 
Sore  arms  were  often  to  be  found,  but  this  system  long  prevailed  and  served 
its  purpose. 

Remedies  and  specifies  were  usually  at  hand.  The  merchants  carried  these 
in  stock  as  there  were  no  drug  stores.  Besides  others,  two  well-known  cures  for 
"chills"  were  "Roman's  Tonic  Mixture"  and  "Indian  Chocalogue."  Senna  salts, 
quinine  and  calomel  were  standard  articles  and  were  kept  in  bulk  by  the  store 
keepers. 

THE  PIONEER  NEWSPAPER. 

The  pioneer  newspaper  was  just  as  broad  and  just  as  narrow  as  pioneer 
times.  The  press  suffered  from  the  same  limitations  that  affected  other  insti- 


186  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

tutions  of  that  day.  The  equipment  of  a  printing  plant  was  limited  to  a  small 
hand  press,  and  to  type  matter  set  by  hand.  The  slow  and  tedious  process, 
thus  made  necessary,  restricted  the  amount  of  matter  printed  and  made  daily 
issues  impossible.  While  there  were  a  few  expert  typesetters,  yet  a  large  part 
of  the  work  was  done  by  amateurs.  It  was  difficult  to  get  paper  in  quantities 
and  still  more  difficult  to  get  it  when  wanted.  It  was  before  the  day  of  mammoth 
paper  mills  and  corporations.  Paper  was  secured  at  Rockton  and  at  other 
small  water  mills  which  had  their  own  difficulties.  It  was  before  the  railroad 
and  paper  had  to  be  delivered  by  ox  team  or  horses,  and  an  issue  was  some- 
times delayed  several  days  because  floods  made  the  fording  of  streams  im- 
possible. The  process  of  gathering  news  was  limited.  The  telegraph  had  not 
yet  reached  its  fingers  out  into  the  new  sections,  and  when  it  came  the  cost  of 
its  privileges  to  any  great  extent  was  almost  prohibitive.  Besides,  at  that  time, 
there  was  not  in  existence  those  world-wide  news  gathering  organizations  to 
furnish  a  mass  of  news  each  day  or  each  week  at  a  reasonable  cost  to  the  pub- 
lisher. The  "patent  inside"  came  later  as  did  also  the  "boiler  plate,"  both  of 
which  have  made  it  easier  and  cheaper  at  later  day  for  newspapers  in  sparsely 
settled  communities  to  put  out  a  paper  containing  much  news  and  general 
reading  matter. 

The  lack  of  prompt  and  cheap  postal  facilities  was  another  limitation.  Poor 
roads,  the  stage  that  connected  with  only  a  few  points  in  the  county  kept  back 
news  from  districts  beyond  the  immediate  vicinity.  It  was  practically  impos- 
sible for  the  early  Democrat  and  Journal  to  be  much  more  than  Freeport  news- 
papers. News  comes  from  Europe  to  Freeport  more  readily  now  than  then 
it  came  from  Winslow  or  Lena,  or  Yellow  Creek  Village. 

Consequently,  the  predominating  feature  of  the  Democrat  and  the  Journal 
and  Anzeiger  was  not  news.  An  examination  of  these  papers  shows  that 
from  1847  to  1860,  usually  24  columns,  apportioned  about  as  follows :  Adver- 
tising, 14  columns ;  story,  5  columns ;  political  and  editorial  discussions,  3  col- 
umns, news,  2  columns.  If  there  is  any  error  in  the  above  apportionment  it 
is  in  allowing  as  much  as  two  columns  for  news.  Frequently  less  than  one 
column,  and  often  not  more  than  a  half  column,  was  given  to  county  news  in 
the  early  weeklies.  Much  of  the  news  columns  was  filled  with  news  items  from 
the  east,  often  a  month  late.  The  story  occupied  the  front  page,  or  most  of 
it.  On  the  second  page  came  the  columns  of  political  discussions,  editorials 
and  local  news.  The  politics  discussed  was  usually  national  politics.  This 
might  be  letters  or  speeches.  Here  great  national  issues  were  set  forth,  such 
as  the  Mexican  War,  the  Wilmot  Proviso,  the  Nebraska  Bill,  etc. 

The  editor  of  the  Journal  December  15,  1853,  thus  paid  his  regards  to  J. 
O.  P.  Burnside  of  the  Bulletin :  "In  point  of  silly  childless  bluster,  printless 
blatant  nonsense,  and  low  contemptible  falsehood,  His  Sapiency  James  Oliver 
Perry  Burnside  !  !  !  the  addlepated  scribbler  of  the  Bulletin,  can  take  the  hats 
of  the  whole  editorial  fraternity." 

STEPHENSON  COUNTY  COURT  AND  BAR  IN  PIONEER  DAYS. 

Stephenson  County  was  organized  as  a  county  under  the  laws  of  Illinois  in 
1837.  The  Legislature  provided  for  the  election  of  county  officials,  which  oc- 


Thomas  J.  Turner 


Martin  P.  Sweet 


Joseph  B.  Smith 


Thomas  P.  Goodhue 


PROMINENT  ATTORNEYS  OF  FREEPORT 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  187 

curred  in  May  of  that  year.  The  same  year  the  courthouse  site  was  selected. 
The  new  county  was  a  part  of  the  6th  judicial  circuit  while  a  part  of  Jo 
Daviess  County,  and  continued  to  be  a  part  of  that  circuit  by  act  of  the  legisla- 
ture, February  22,  1839.  The  circuit  then  included  Jo  Daviess,  Stephenson, 
Boone,  Winnebago,  Whiteside,  Rock  Island  and  Carroll  Counties.  The  first  ses- 
sion of  the  court  in  this  county  was  held  at  a  special  term  August  27,  1839. 

Daniel  Stone  was  the  first  judge  of  the  circuit  to  preside  in  Stephenson 
County.  Hubbard  Graves,  father  of  the  present  venerable  postmaster  at  Mc- 
Connell,  was  sheriff  and  John  A.  Clark  was  clerk  of  the  court.  This  first  ses- 
sion lasted  three  days.  Judge  Stone  presided  over  the  two  succeeding  terms  of 
court  in  this  county  when  the  law  was  changed.  The  new  law  of  February 
23,  1841,  abolished  the  offices  of  circuit  judges,  and  appointed  additional  su- 
preme court  judges  and  rearranged  the  districts.  Mercer  and  Henry  Counties 
were  added  to  the  6th  district  and  Judge  Thomas  C.  Brown  was  appointed  to 
preside  over  the  district  courts.  Judge  Brown  was  circuit  judge  of  this  county 
till  1846.  A  new  law  passed  by  the  State  Legislature  made  the  circuit  judge- 
ship  an  elective  office,  and  Benjamin  R.  Sheldon  was  elected  to  the  bench. 

In  1848,  the  adoption  of  a  new  state  constitution  was  followed  by  a  reor- 
ganization of  the  judicial  districts.  The  new  fourteenth  circuit  was  made  up  of 
the  counties  of  Jo  Daviess,  Stephenson  and  Winnebago.  Judge  Sheldon  was  a 
candidate  for  the  position  of  circuit  judge  in  the  new  I4th  district,  and  was 
elected.  This  position  he  held  from  1848  to  1870,  over  twenty  years,  when 
he  was  elected  as  one  of  the  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois. 

Hon.  H.  C.  Burchard  thus  describes  the  old  courtroom:  "It  was  a  two  story 
frame  building  with  plain  clapboard  sides  and  shingle  roof,  surrounded  by  a 
rough  board  fence.  The  courtroom  where  Judge  Sheldon  presided  in  1855,  sit- 
ting on  a  raised  platform  behind  a  pine  desk,  had  on  its  right  two  tier  of  seats 
for  the  jury.  Fronting  the  judge  and  beyond  the  railing  that  inclosed  the  table 
and  chairs  for  the  privileged  lawyers,  were  rows  of  pine  benches,  ruthlessly 
disfigured  by  witnesses  and  spectators  whose  incessant  whittling  was  only  tem- 
porarily checked  by  the  warning  of  the  judge  not  to  mar  the  courtroom.  In 
the  winter  a  hot  stove  occupied  the  center  of  the  room.  The  windows  had  to 
be  raised  frequently  for  ventilation  and  again  lowered  to  exclude  the  cold  air, 
and  bench  and  bar  were  alternately  roasted  and  frozen.  I  can  yet  hear  Judge 
Sheldon  give  his  order,  "Mr.  Sheriff,  raise  the  window,"  or  "Mr.  Sheriff,  lower 
the  window,"  as  he  feared  suffocation  from  odors  or  dreaded  cold  chills  from 
the  sharp  winter  air.  The  dilapidated  appearance  of  the  building  was  felt  to 
be  a  discredit  to  the  city  and  the  county.  In  1854,  the  loosened  clapboards  were 
shaking  in  the  wind  and  the  sky  was  visible  through  the  broken  plastering. 
The  room  was  at  that  time  procured  for  the  use  of  Fred  Douglas,  the  colored 
orator,  to  make  an  abolition  speech.  Although  accustomed  to  plantation  life 
and  to  uncomfortable  and  unsightly  audience  rooms,  he  said  in  his  opening 
remarks,  "I  have  spoken  in  England  in  the  finest  halls,  and  in  this  country 
in  churches  and  where  no  better  accommodations  could  be  had,  in  barns,  but, 
of  all  the  God- forsaken  places,  this  beats  them  all!" 


188  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

One  evening  at  Plymouth  Hall,  (where  the  Wilcoxen  block  now  stands) 
while  Hon.  Martin  P.  Sweet  was  making  a  speech,  the  cry  of  "Fire"  was 
heard  on  the  streets.  It  was  reported  that  the  courthouse  was  burning.  Mr. 
Sweet  paused  and  said,  "It  is  the  old  courthouse,  let  it  burn."  The  audience 
cheered  and  remained  seated,  but  the  fire  was  extinguished.  It  was  a  great 
relief  to  the  members  of  the  bar  as  well  as  to  the  citizens  of  Freeport,  when 
the  building  was  removed  in  1870  and  the  attractive  and  commodious  structure 
that  now  occupies  its  site  was  built." 

At  the  first  session  of  court  in  1839,  according  to  the  records,  the  following 
attorneys  were  present  and  connected  with  cases:  Seth  B.  Farwell,  Martin  P. 
Sweet,  Thomas  J.  Turner,  Campbell,  Drummond,  Tonlin  and  Kemble.  Mr. 
Sweet  still  lived  in  Winnebago  County  and  as  Mr.  Turner  had  not  yet  been 
admitted  to  practice,  Mr.  Farwell  was  the  only  member  of  the  Freeport  bar. 
Mr.  Purinton  arrived  four  months  later.  At  that  day  it  was  the  custom  of  the 
lawyers  to  follow  the  judge  around  the  circuit,  and  a  few  were  here  in  1839 
from  other  counties. 

There  were  35  cases  in  the  docket  in  1835,  seventeen  of  which  were  appeals 
for  justice  courts.  Thirteen  were  dismissed  for  want  of  jurisdiction,  because 
the  cases  had  been  improperly  brought  to  that  court.  According  to  Mr.  Bur- 
chards'  report,  "In  the  short  three  days  session,  the  grand  jury  returned  four  in- 
dictments, two  criminal  trials  were  had,  six  judgments  were  taken  by  default 
and  one  judgment  rendered  in  an  appeal  case  for  $3.18^  and  costs. 

The  second  term  of  court  lasted  two  days.  The  attorneys  present  and  be- 
fore the  court  were  Martin  P.  Sweet  and  George  Purinton  of  Freeport.  States 
Attorney  F.  S.  Hall,  and  Jason  Marsh,  of  Rockford,  and  Campbell  and  Drum- 
mond, of  Jo  Daviess  County.  Writing  of  these  early  attorneys,  Mr.  H.  C. 
Burchard,  in  1896,  said,  "People  who  heard  Thompson  Campbell  and  E.  D.  Baker 
in  the  noted  trials  at  the  old  courtroom  still  speak  of  their  wit,  readiness  in 
repartee,  and  wonderful  power  in  addressing  a  jury.  Eloquence  in  those  early 
days,  as  in  these  later  ones,  must  have  exercised  its  magic  influence  when 
E.  D.  Baker,  fresh  from  Springfield,  had  but  to  unstrap  his  trunk  at  a  Galena 
Hotel,  and  without  the  aid  of  patronage  or  local  friends  to  start  his  boom, 
could  by  voice  and  speech,  win  as  he  did  his  nomination  and  election  to  Con- 
gress from  this  district.  It  is  not  more  surprising  that  afterwards  a  brief  so- 
journ on  the  Pacific  coast  sent  him  to  the  United  States  Senate,  and  that  he 
there  acquired  a  national  reputation  as  an  orator  and  statesman. 

Thereupon,  Campbell  became  states  attorney  for  the  judicial  circuit  and  was 
elected  to  Congress  in  1850.  Later  he  served  as  secretary  of  state  and  moved  to 
California.  Mr.  Drummond  must  have  then  exhibited  that  legal  knowledge, 
sound  judgment  and  argumentative  ability  which  later  characterized  his  rul- 
ings as  a  federal  judge.  James  S.,Loop  was  able  to  state  his  client's  case  more 
clearly  and  to  present  its  salient  points  more  concisely  than  any  other  advocate 
at  the  bar.  Marsh,  Burnop,  and  Night,  considered  the  ablest  chancery  lawyers 
in  the  circuit,  attended  from  term  to  term.  E.  B.  Washburn  prosecuted  a  suit 
with  the  same  zeal  and  tenacity  that  he  displayed  in  after  years  in  political  life." 

With  such  associates  and  antagonists,  it  is  not  surprising  that  Martin  P. 
Sweet  and  Thomas  J.  Turner  grew  to  become  and  ranked  among  the  foremost 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  189 

advocates  and  most  successful  lawyers  in  northern  Illinois.  Their  selection  as 
candidates  of  their  parties  for  Congress — Sweet  in  1844  and  again  in  1850, 
and  Turner  in  1846 — shows  the  popularity  they  attained  at  this  period  and 
the  high  estimation  of  their  abilities. 

By  1850,  in  addition  to  Sweet,  Turner,  Farwell  and  Purinton  and  other 
distinguished  men  joined  the  Freeport  bar.  Among  these  were:  Thomas  F. 
Goodhue,  Charles  Betts,  F.  W.  S.  Brawley,  Charles  F.  Bagg,  John  A.  Clark, 
John  Coates  and  Charles  Clark.  Before  1857,  they  were  joined  by  Hiram 
Bright,  U.  D.  Meacham,  J.  B.  Smith,  Samuel  Saukey,  J.  C.  Kean,  E.  P.  nar- 
ton,  J.  M.  Bailey  and  H.  C.  Burchard. 

At  the  December  term  of  court  in  1857,  there  were  302  cases  at  common 
law  on  the  docket  and  49  in  chancery.  At  the  April  term  1858,  there  were  392 
at  common  law  and  chancery  cases  reached  183  the  next  year.  Many  of  the 
chancery  cases  were  mortgage  foreclosures.  These  hard  times  with  numerous 
financial  entanglements  made  1857-1858  the  golden  period  of  the  bar.  Mr. 
Burchard  said  in  1896:  "Although  the  number  of  lawyers  has  considerably  in- 
creased, scarcely  one-fourth  as  many  cases  are  now  entered  upon  the  docket 
as  in  1857  and  1858.  It  is  claimed  that  there  is  much  less  legal  business  and 
litigation  in  Stephenson  County  than  in  adjourning  counties.  While  this  is 
injurious  to  the  profession  it  is  no  loss  to  the  community.  The  discourage- 
ment and  the  decrease  of  litigation  is  beneficial.  Many  who  formerly  practiced 
at  our  bar  were  noted  for  compromising  and  dismissing  suits  which  they  com- 
menced. The  lawyers  deserve  the  blessing  of  peacemakers,  because  they  were 
successful  in  efforts  to  adjust  and  settle,  rather  than  litigate  conflicting  claims." 
Mr.  Burchard  adds,  "The  lawyers  of  Freeport,  and  especially  those  who  came 
here  at  an  early  day  and  grew  up  with  the  county,  have  always  taken  a  leading 
part  in  matters  that  concerned  the  prosperity  of  the  city.  Scarcely  one  of  our 
business  enterprises  has  been  planned  and  consummated  without  their  counsel 
and  assistance  giving  it  legal  shape.  They  were  associated  with  business  men 
and  often  selected  as  spokesmen  for  them  in  all  efforts  to  secure  the  location 
of  public  buildings,  institutions,  railroads  to  be  built  and  manufactories  to  be 
established." 

Brief  sketches  should  here  be  given  of  the  early  leaders  of  the  Freeport 
bar:  Thomas  J.  Turner,  born  in  Ohio,  in  1815,  lived  on  a  farm  in  Pennsylvania 
for  a  while  and  came  west  at  the  age  of  18.  After  spending  short  periods  in 
Chicago,  La  Porte  County,  Indiana,  and  in  the  lead  mine  county  about  Galena, 
he  came  into  Stephenson  County  in  1836,  building  a  mill  in  Rock  Run.  In 
1837,  he  secured  the  contract  to  build  the  Stephenson  County  courthouse,  and 
it  is  thought  that  litgation  arising  from  this  contract  induced  him  to  take  up 
the  study  of  law.  He  studied  law  in  much  the  same  way  as  Patrick  Henry  and 
Abraham  Lincoln  did,  becoming,  in  fact,  a  self-made  lawyer.  Mr.  Burchard 
says  of  him:  "He  was  tall,  erect,  athletic  and  graceful.  He  was  most  effective 
as  a  jury  lawyer.  In  1845  Governor  Ford  appointed  him  states  attorney  for 
the  6th  judicial  circuit.  He  managed,  or  assisted,  in  the  trial  at  Rock  Island, 
of  the  murderers  of  Colonel  Davenport.  His  ability  and  fearlessness  in  prose- 
cuting the  gang  of  murderers  and  horse  thieves  that  then  infested  northern 
Illinois  made  him  hosts  of  friends  in  this  congressional  district.  His  nomina- 


190  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

tion  and  election  to  Congress  in  1846  was  a  natural  consequence.  Upon  the 
organization  of  the  town  of  Freeport  in  1850.  Mr.  Turner  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  trustees.  In  1854,  he  became  an  active  opponent  of  those 
who  supported  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise  and  the  Kansas  and 
Nebraska  Bill.  He  replied  briefly  to  a  four  hours'  speech  in  its  justification 
made  by  Stephen  A.  Douglas  in  front  of  the  old  Pennsylvania  House,  then 
standing  on  the  present  site  of  Munn's  building.  He  was  sent  the  following 
fall  to  the  Legislature  as  an  Anti-Nebraska  democrat,  and  voted  first  for  Lin- 
coln and  then  for  Trumbull  for  senator.  He  procured  the  passage  of  a  bill 
introduced  by  him  to  create  the  city  of  Freeport  by  special  charter,  and  was 
afterwards  elected  the  city's  first  mayor.  Early  in  1861,  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Peace  Conference  at  Washington,  and  later  was  elected  and  commissioned 
colonel  of  the  Fifteenth  Illinois  Volunteers.  He  resigned  the  service  in  1862 
on  account  of  ill  health.  He  was  chairman  of  the  republican  state  central 
committee  in  1864,  a  member  of  the  State  Constitutional  Convention  in  1870, 
and  in  the  Legislature  in  1871.  He  died  on  the  third  day  of  April,  1874,  at 
Hot  Springs,  where  hopeless  of  other  relief,  he  had  gone  for  the  purpose  of 
regaining  health.  He  will  always  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  pioneers  in 
the  early  settlements  of  Stephenson  County,  and  as  contributing,  by  his  per- 
sonal efforts,  as  much,  or  more,  than  any  other  citizen  of  the  prosperity  and 
permanent  growth  of  Freeport." 

COURT. 

Hon.  Martin  P.  Sweet  was  one  of  the  early  leaders  of  the  Stephenson  County 
Bar.  He  was  a  native  of  New  York  and  after  farming  and  preaching,  he  began 
the  practice  of  law  in  Freeport  in  1840.  He  was  a  noted  whig  leader  and  twice 
was  honored  by  his  party  as  its  candidate  for  Congress.  The  best  summary  of 
his  career  as  a  lawyer  is  that  given  by  his  centemporary,  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner, 
at  a  meeting  of  the  Stephenson  County  Bar  Association,  after  Mr.  Sweets 
death:  "It  is  difficult  for  me  to  find  words  to  express  what  we  all  feel  on  this 
solemn  occasion.  Hon.  Martin  P.  Sweet  is  dead.  We  shall  not  again  hear 
from  his  lips  the  burning  eloquence  that  in  times  past  has  thrilled  the  court  and 
the  bar,  as  he  held  up  to  view  the  enormities  of  crimes  which  he  had  been  called 
on  to  prosecute ;  or,  the  melting  pathos  with,  which  he  captivated  the  sympathies 
of  jury  and  people,  while  defending  those  he  regarded  innocent.  Few  men 
ever  possessed  that  magnetic  power  which  chains  an  audience  in  a  greater  degree 
than  did  our  departed  friend.  It  is  not  alone  at  the  bar  that  he  has  left  his 
impress  as  a  leading  mind.  In  the  arena  of  politics,  and  in  the  sacred  desk,  he 
was  alike  conspicuous.  Logical  in  argument,  terrible  in  invective  and  quick  in 
repartee,  he  carried  the  judgments  of  a  jury  or  an  audience;  or,  failing  here, 
his  quick  sympathies  and  deep  pathos  led  them  along  against  the  conviction  of 
judgment.  Such  was  Martin  P.  Sweet  as  an  orator  and  an  advocate.  A  self- 
made  man,  he  surmounted  difficulties  which  would  discourage  and  defeat  others 
and  reach  a  position  at  the  bar.  Second  to  none,  and  established  a  reputation  as 
an  orator  of  which  any  men  among  us  might  feel  proud. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  191 

On  opening  an  office  in  Freeport,  he  soon  secured  a  remunerative  practice, 
and  took  a  first  rank  at  the  bar  throughout  the  circuit.  His  services  were  sought 
whenever  important  cases  were  to  be  tried,  or  legal  ability  was  required.  Among 
the  traits  of  character  which  endeared  Mr.  Sweet  to  the  members  of  his  pro- 
fession, were  his  urbane  manners,  his  nice  sense  of  professional  honor  and  his 
kind  and  cautious  bearing  toward  those  who  were  opposed  to  him.  In  these  re- 
spects, he  has  done  much  to  raise  the  standard  of  professional  ethics. 

In  private  life,  he  was  generous  and  urbane  and  had  many  friends,  with  few, 
if  any,  enemies.  In  death,  the  bar  has  lost  one  of  its  brightest  ornaments,  the 
city  a  good  citizen  and  a  zealous  friend,  and  the  county  and  the  state  an  able 
defender  of  their  rights.  There  is  still  another  circle  that  mourns  him  with 
a  deeper  grief — the  charmed  circle  of  the  home. 

Let  us,  my  brethren  of  the  bar,  while  our  eyes  are  suffused  with  tears,  and 
our  hearts  bowed  with  sorrow  over  his  grave,  resolve  to  emulate  his  virtues,  to 
follow  his  example  and  avoid  and  forget  his  faults,  if  he  had  any,  so  that  when 
our  work  on  earth  is  done  and  when  our  names  may  be  mentioned,  as  the  name 
of  our  departed  friend  is  mentioned  today,  with  baled  breath  and  choked  ut- 
terance, it  may  be  said  of  us,  our  work  is  finished ;  it  is  well  done." 

At  the  close  of  Mrs.  Turner's  eulogy,  the  judge  of  the  circuit  court  said: 
"As  an  effective  speaker  and  legal  orator,  he  had  no  superior,  and  at  times  he 
was  the  leading  genius,  outstripping  all  others  in  the  circuit.  It  is  probable, 
we  may  never  look  upon  his  like  again." 

COURT  AND  BAR. 

Hon.  Horatio  C.  Burchard  was  one  of  the  distinguished  members  of  the  Ste- 
phenson  County  bar  for  over  fifty-two  years.  He  was  born  in  Marshall,  Oneida 
County,  New  York,  in  1825.  His  father  came  west  to  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  in  1840. 
Mr.  Burchard  was  graduated  from  Hamilton  College,  New  York,  in  1850.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1852,  and  began  practice  in  Monroe,  Wisconsin.  In 
1854,  he  came  to  Freeport  and  was  principal  of  the  Union  school.  In  1855  he 
resumed  the  practice  of  law,  the  firm  being  Turner  and  Burchard,  his  partner 
being  Thomas  J.  Turner.  In  1856,  the  firm  was  Turner,  Burchard  &  Barton. 
From  1864  to  1874,  the  firm  was  Burchard,  Barton  &  Barnum.  In  1857,  Mr. 
Burchard  was  county  school  commissioner;  in  1862,  and  1864,  he  was  elected 
to  the  legislature.  For  four  years  he  was  a  trustee  of  the  Illinois  Industrial  Uni- 
versity, now  the  University  of  Illinois. 

In  1869,  when  Hon.  E.  B.  Washburn  was  given  a  post  in  the  Cabinet,  Mr. 
Burchard  was  elected  to  Congress.  The  speaker,  James  G.  Elaine,  appointed 
him  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Banking  and  Currency,  of  which  James 
A.  Garfield  was  chairman.  Later,  for  eight  years  he  served  on  the  committee 
on  ways  and  means.  For  ten  years,  1869  to  1879,  Mr.  Burchard  was  recognized 
as  one  of  the  able  men  in  Congress. 

In  1879,  Mr.  Burchard  was  appointed  director  of  the  United  States  Mints 
by  President  Hayes.  In  this  department  he  distinguished  himself  by  his  thor- 
ough mastery  of  the  finances  of  the  United  States,  and  by  his  five  elaborate  re- 
ports to  Congress.  As  director  of  the  United  States  Mints,  Mr.  Burchard  served 


192  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

from  1879  to  1885;  when  a  democratic  president  made  a  change  in  the  appoint- 
ment. In  1886  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Oglesby  on  a  commission  to  re- 
vise the  revenue  laws  of  Illinois.  He  was  elected  to  the  membership  in  the 
International  Statistical  Institute  in  1837. 

In  1886  Mr.  Burchard  resumed  his  law  practice  in  Freeport.  In  — ? — ,  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  Hon.  Louis  H.  Burrell,  the  firm  name  being  Burchard 
&  Burrell.  Mr.  Burchard  continued  his  law  business  till  his  death  in  — ? — . 
He  was  a  man  of  whom  Stephenson  County  was  always  proud,  having  won 
distinction  as  a  teacher,  as  a  lawyer,  as  a  statesman  and  an  administrator. 

Judge  Charles  Belts  was  an  active  member  of  the  Freeport  bar  from  1848  to 
1880  when  he  retired.  Born  in  Batavia,  New  York,  in  1824.  He  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  that  state  in  1847.  He  came  to  Freeport  in  1848  and  was 
successful  from  the  start.  In  1852  he  was  the  nominee  of  the  whig  party  for 
State  Auditor.  During  the  political  revolution  of  1856-1858,  when  many  dem- 
ocrats became  republicans,  Mr.  Betts,  being  a  great  admirer  of  Stephen  A.  Doug- 
las, became  a  democrat.  In  1870  he  was  the  democratic  candidate  for  Congress 
in  the  district  and  reduced  the  republican  majority  from  10,000  to  5,000 

H.  M.  Barnum,  a  native  of  Vermont,  has  graduated  from  Middlebury  Col- 
lege in  1858,  came  to  Freeport  in  1859  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1861. 
From  1861  to  1864  he  was  a  teacher  in  the  city  schools,  part  of  that  time  principal 
of  the  high  school.  In  1864  he  entered  the  law  firm  of  Burchard  &  Barton.  In 
1867  he  was  city  attorney,  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  and  the 
library  board. 

Hon.  James  S.  Cochran,  born  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  1834,  educated  at 
Bethany  College,  Virginia,  Jefferson  College,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  law  school  of 
Judge  Brockenbaugh  at  Lexington,  Kentucky,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Pitts- 
burg,  in  1858,  and  that  year  came  to  Freeport.  He  entered  upon  the  practice  of 
his  profession  here  at  once  and  was  eminently  successful.  He  was  state's  at- 
torney for  the  county  from  1872  to  1884,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate 
from  the  district  of  Stephenson,  Jo  Daviess  and  Carroll  Counties.  Eight  of 
his  nineteen  bills  became  laws  during  the  35th  session  of  the  legislature.  One 
law  established  "Arbor  Day"  and  another  provided  that  teachers  could  attend 
institutes  without  the  deduction  of  pay.  He  was  one  of  the  ablest  men  this  dis- 
trict ever  sent  to  the  state  legislature.  He  was  distinguished  as  a  lawyer  and  as 
a  legislator. 

Judge  John  Coates  came  to  Stephenson  County  in  1847  and  entered  the  law 
office  of  Hon.  T.  J.  Turner.  He  was  elected  county  judge  in  1853.  He  aided 
in  the  organization  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  church.  Throughout  his  long 
legal  career,  he  was  recognized  as  an  able  and  conscientious  attorney. 

THE  LYCEUM  OF  EARLY  DAYS. 

The  first  generation  in  Stephenson  County  had  time  for  things  intellectual. 
Through  all  the  turmoil  and  hardships  with  Indians  and  wild  animals,  rude 
equipment  and  simple  homes,  the  struggle  with  a  wild  soil  and  the  dangers  and 
perils  of  distant  mills  and  markets,  burst  the  spirit  of  culture  from  the  old 
academies  of  the  east.  The  education  of  the  old  academy  of  the  east  was  the 


STEI'IIEXSOX  COUNTY'S  FIRST  COURTHOUSE,  ERECTED  IX  1838 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  193 

leaven  that  lifted  up  the  frontier  society  from  the  lower  levels  of  "mere"  busi- 
ness and  the  struggle  for  daily  bread.  It  was  this  irrepressible  spirit  that  brought 
organized  local  lecture  course  committees,  and  brought  to  early  the  greatest 
stars  of  the  American  platform,  musicians,  lecturers,  poets,  reformers  and  states- 
men. Old  Plymouth  Hall  audiences  saw  and  heard,  Ole  Bull  and  Patti ;  Starr 
King  and  Bayard  Taylor;  E.  P.  Willett,  Lowell  and  Emerson,  and  Giddings, 
Chase,  Horace  Greeley  and  Horace  Mann.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  no  later 
period  has  even  approached  to  decade  of  1850  to  1860  in  the  matter  of  Lyceum 
talent  in  this  county.  This  is  in  part  because  the  first  generation  contained  that 
element  of  culture  and  the  spirit  of  intellectualism  that  had  been  stimulated  by 
a  contact  in  the  academies  and  colleges  of  the  older  states. 

THE  LECTURE  COURSES. 

Mrs.  Oscar  Taylor's  explanation  of  Freeport's  early  lecture  courses  is  full 
of  interest  and  should  serve  as  an  inspiration  to  the  people  of  today.  "Where 
the  Wilcoxen  opera  house  now  stands  Mr.  E.  H.  Hyde  had  erected  a  three 
story  brick  building,  the  upper  story  of  which  was  intended  for  lectures,  con- 
certs and  other  public  gatherings.  This  was  old  Plymouth  Hall,  of  which  the 
town  was  justly  proud.  It  was  here  that  the  Lombard  brothers  and  the  Baker 
family  gave  their  musical  entertainment  as  they  traveled  through  this  region 
season  after  season ;  and  always  welcome  were  the  Hutchinson  family,  who 
came  almost  every  year,  bringing  with  them  their  old  melodeon,  opening  every 
performance  with  "We're  a  band  of  brothers  from  the  old  Granite  State." 
Strong  anti-slavery  men  were  all  of  them,  and  when  they  sang  "There's  a 
Good  Time  Coming  Boys,"  there  was  a  ring  of  faith  and  feeling  in  their  voices 
that  stirred  the  enthusiasm  of  their  hearers,  and  in  humorous  parts  the  drollery 
of  the  brother  Judson  was  irresistible.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Beaumont,  both  sincere 
lovers  of  music,  assisted  in  many  of  the  home  concerts  of  those  days.  The 
walls  of  Plymouth  Hall,  one  never-to-be  forgotten  night,  echoed  to  the  tunes 
of  Ole  Bull's  violin,  and  to  the  supremely  beautiful  voice  of  Adelina  Patti, 
when  that  voice  was  the  voice  of  a  young  girl  of  fourteen,  even  then  so  won- 
derful that  her  future  world-wide  fame  seemed  already  assured.  She  was  a 
lovely  picture  as  she  stood  before  the  audience  in  a  low-necked  gown  of  light 
blue  silk,  ruffled  from  waist  line  to  hem.  Her  great  Italian  eyes  were  velvety 
in  their  soft  blackness  and  her  black  hair  was  worn  in  thick  braids,  while  her 
features  were  of  that  delicate  clear-cut  beauty  so  familiar  to  us  all  in  later 
years.  The  "Little  Patti,"  as  she  was  then  called,  was  most  friendly  with 
her  audience  all  the  evening,  and  at  the  close  of  the  concert  she  invited  two 
young  girls,  whom  she  joined  as  the  audience  was  dispering,  to  visit  her  at 
the  Pennsylvania  House  next  day.  The  invitation  was,  of  course,  joyfully 
accepted,  but  the  unsophisticated  western  girls  were  amazed  by  the  young  prima 
donna's  desperate  flirtation  with  the  handsome  pianist  who  played  her  accom- 
paniments. 

In  the  autumn  of  1854  the  Young  Men's  Association  secured  for  us  a 
course  of  lectures  from  some  of  the  most  eminent  literary  men  of  the  country. 
As  the  hotel  accommodations  were  not  above  criticism,  it  was  thought  desirable 


194  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

that  the  lecturers  should  be  entertained  at  private  houses,  and  as  Mr.  Taylor 
was  a  member  of  the  association  he  was  among  the  first  to  proffer  this  hospi- 
tality. It  so  happened  that  when  Horace  Mann  opened  this  lecture  course  he 
was  for  three  days  a  guest  in  our  old  home  on  Adams  street.  I  must  own  to 
being  in  quite  a  flurry  over  the  thought  of  entertaining  so  distinguished  a  per- 
son, but  well  I  remember  how  I  was  at  once  put  at  ease  by  the  kindly  smile  and 
winning  tones  with  which  the  stranger  greeted  me.  There  was  something 
saint-like  in  his  appearance,  so  frail  was  his  health,  so  snowy  his  hair,  and  so 
gentle  his  whole  bearing.  His  heart  was  in  the  educational  work,  which  formed 
the  subject  of  his  lecture;  but  even  more  interesting  to  me  was  his  quiet  con- 
versation during  the  two  following  days.  I  almost  felt  myself  one  of  the  Con- 
cord circle  as  Mr.  Mann  shared  with  me  his  intimate  acquaintance  with  Emer- 
son, Thoreau,  Margaret  Fuller  and  Hawthorne.  Hawthorne's  wife  and  Mrs. 
Mann  were  sisters,  and  Mr.  Mann  told  me  of  Hawthorne's  excessive  shyness, 
how  he  would  seldom  join  in  conversation,  but  liked  to  sit  apart,  sometimes  even 
getting  behind  a  door. 

Thoreau  and  his  new  book  "Walden,"  then  in  press,  received  enthusiastic 
praise,  as  did  Mr.  Howe,  the  philanthropist,  whom  Mr.  Mann  dearly  loved. 
He  thought  Mrs.  Howe,  who  had  been  greatly  admired  as  a  society  belle  in 
New  York,  not  altogether  in  sympathy  with  her  husband's  work  for  the  blind, 
but  has  she  not  really  proved  herself  a  fitting  wife  for  her  noble  husband? 
The  Saturday  Club  of  Boston,  where  the  literary  lights  of  New  England 
gathered  weekly  for  informal  discussions,  was  also  opened  to  me  for  the  first 
time,  so  vividly  that  I  seemed  to  know  personally  Longfellow,  Whittier  and 
Holmes,  with  other  men  whose  names  are  now  historic,  but  whose  biographies 
had  not  then  been  lived. 

Following  Horace  Mann  came  Bayard  Taylor,  who  drew  a  crowded  au- 
dience, and  gave  a  most  graphic  and  entertaining  lecture  upon  his  travels  in 
Europe.  There  was  great  charm  in  his  picturesque  and  magnetic  personality, 
and  pure  cosmopolitan  as  he  was,  he  seemed  to  bring  his  whole  audience  in 
touch  with  the  great  world.  He  was  also  a  delightful  guest,  genial  and  witty, 
instantly  at  home  with  the  friends  whom  I  had  asked  to  the  house  to  meet  him. 

A  little  girl  to  whom  he  seemed  the  most  wonderful  man  in  the  world,  had 
listened  with  wide  open  eyes  to  all  that  he  was  relating  of  far-away  lands,  when, 
thinking  it  time  that  Freeport  was  heard  from,  she  remarked :  "Mr.  Taylor, 
I  don't  believes  you  saw  in  Europe  anything  prettier  than  the  egg  my  chicken 
laid."  With  quick  responsiveness,  Mr.  Taylor  admitted  that  an  egg  was  really 
more  wonderful  than  anything  the  art  of  man  could  produce. 

When  Horace  Greeley  came  the  farmers  flocked  to  hear  the  man  who  ad- 
vised everyone  to  go  west.  Plymouth  Hall  could  not  hold  the  crowd  that 
gathered.  To  my  mind,  the  disappointed  ones  did  not  lose  much.  Socially, 
Greeley  was  brusque  and  repellent,  receiving  with  evident  indifference  the  young 
men  who  called  upon  him.  "What  did  those  men  come  here  for?"  he  asked 
when  they  left.  "They  came  to  see  the  great  mogul,"  I  answered  which  seemed 
to  please  him,  as  he  laughed  heartily.  After  his  stay  with  us,  and  I  had  seen 
him  carefully  turn  his  necktie  awry  before  sitting  for  his  daguerrotype,  I  con- 
cluded that  his  reputed  accentricities  were  but  affectations. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  195 

Later  in  the  season  we  had  George  Sumner,  of  Boston,  brother  to  Charles 
Sumner.  For  many  years  a  resident  in  Dresden  and  Paris,  he  had  the  cap- 
tivating polish  of  manner  acquired  in  continental  cities  but  his  lecture,  upon  the 
political  conditions  of  Europe,  did  not  particularly  appeal  to  his  audience.  Be- 
fore the  lecture  I  had  called  Mr.  Sumner's  attention  to  an  article  in  Putnam's 
Magazine  on  the  Crimean  war,  giving  a  most  vivid  description  of  the  battle  of 
Sebastopol.  "Is  not  that  article  wonderfully  written,"  I  asked  him.  "I  did  not 
find  it  so,"  he  replied.  In  the  dash  to  my  enthusiasm  I  thought  him  over-critical, 
not  dreaming,  until  he  laughingly  told  me  so  the  following  year,  that  he  was  the 
writer  of  the  brilliant  article. 

The  lecture  course  of  1855  was  opened  by  Starr  King,  who  was  entertained 
by  Mr.  Taylor  and  myself.  I  remember  that  Mr.  King  surprised  me  early  in 
our  conversation  by  the  question,  "How  old  do  you  think  I  am?"  "From  your 
appearance  I  should  judge  you  to  be  a  boy  in  your  teens,  but,  of  course,  I  know 
you  must  be  older  or  you  could  not  have  achieved  your  reputation,"  I  replied. 
"I  am  a  long  way  of  my  teens,"  he  said,  "but  my  youthful  aspect  affords  me 
great  fun,  as  I  had  today  when  your  husband  walked  through  the  car  looking 
on  either  side  but  evidently  seeing  no  one  whom  he  could  believe  was  the  ex- 
pected individual.  When  I  asked  if  he  was  looking  for  Mr.  King  you  should 
have  seen  his  look  of  surprise." 

The  editor  of  the  Journal,  in  speaking  of  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson's  lecture  at 
Plymouth  Hall,  Freeport,  said :  "What  we  understood  of  it  was  excellent,  and 
what  we  did  not  understand  we  suppose  was  excellent." 

ADDAMS   INSTITUTE. 

The  Addams  Institute,  an  association  of  young  men,  was  organized  in  1852, 
and  held  its  first  meeting  November  25,  that  year  in  the  basement  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  church.  J.  C.  Howells,  president  of  the  club,  gave  an  inaugural 
address  in  "Danger  and  Weakness  of  Ignorance."  At  the  second  meeting  the 
following  question  was  discussed :  "Resolved ;  that  the  intervention  policy  ad- 
vocated by  Kossuth,  is  just  and  should  be  adopted  by  the  United  States." 

The  officers  were:  President,  W.  J.  Johnston;  Vice  President,  J.  Burrell; 
Secretary,  J.  S.  Oliver.  J.  S.  Oliver  and  W.  J.  Johnston  debated  against  H.  M. 
Sheetz  and  J.  C.  Howells.  J.  Burrell  gave  a  declamation.  Professor1  Daniels 
gave  a  series  of  lectures  on  Geology.  The  Journal  says,  "The  efforts  of  the 
Addams  Institute  to  introduce  these  lectures  deserves  credit." 

FREEPORT  LITERARY  INSTITUTE. 

The  Freeport  Literary  Institute  was  organized  at  Hon.  T.  J.  Turner's  office 
January  n,  1853.  Mr  U.  D.  Meacham  was  chairman  of  the  meeting.  The 
following  officers  were  elected  for  one  year :  President,  Judge  Coats ;  Vice  Presi- 
dent, P.  D.  Fisher ;  Secretary,  S.  D.  Knight ;  Treasurer,  John  Barfoot ;  Librarian, 
Dr.  O.  E.  Stearns.  The  business  committee  consisted  of  John  K.  Brewster,  Dr. 
C.  Bartin,  and  D.  C.  Wilmot,  part  of  whose  duties  were  the  employment  of 
lecturers,  and  purchase  of  books,  papers  and  scientific  apparatus.  The  mem- 


196  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

bership  fee  was  one  dollar.  Mr.  F.  W.  S.  Brawley  was  to  deliver  the  first  lec- 
ture. The  Journal  says,  "Mr.  Brawley  is  an  easy  and  beautiful  writer  and  a 
ripe  scholar."  Mr.  Brawley  being  absent,  Hon.  T.  J.  Turner  gave  one  of  his 
characteristic  speeches.  Mr.  C.  A.  Clark  also  addressed  the  meeting. 

LECTURES. 
PUBLIC  LECTURES. 

In  1853,  the  following  citizens  volunteered  to  deliver  public  lectures :  F.  W. 
S.  Brawley,  T.  J.  Turner,  Rev.  A.  J.  Warner,  D.  E.  Markle,  C.  A.  Clark,  Rev. 
J.  Coon,  U.  D.  Meacham,  Dr.  C.  Martin,  J.  C.  Howells,  Rev.  James  Bentley,  H. 
M.  Sheetz,  Dr.  R.  Van  Valzah,  E.  Hunt,  Dr.  O.  E.  Stearns  and  C.  E.  Berry. 

Cassius  M.  Clay  spoke  in  Freeport  in  1854,  for  the  whigs,  before  an  audience 
of  2,000  to  3,yco  people.  Later  came  Joshua  R.  Giddings,  the  Anti-Slavery  war 
horse  of  the  Western  Reserve,  Salmon  P.  Chase,  George  W.  Julian,  followed  by 
Stephen  A.  Douglas. 

LECTURE  COURSE,   1855-6. 

Wm.  Stark New  Hampshire. 

E.   P.   Whipple    ._ Boston. 

Park  Benjamin  New  York. 

Parke  Goodwin New  York. 

T.  Starr  King    Boston. 

R.  W.  Emerson Concord. 

John  G.  Saxe Vermont. 

B.  F.  Taylor Chicago. 

J.  K.  Doolittle Racine. 

E.  H.  Chapin   New  York. 

THE  LINCOLN-DOUGLAS  DEBATE— 1858. 

The  greatest  political  event  in  Stephenson  County  was  the  Lincoln  and 
Douglas  Debate  at  Freeport,  August  27,  1858.  Both  Lincoln  and  Douglas  were 
candidates  for  the  United  States  Senate.  Douglas  had  been  in  the  senate  since 
1847  and  his  second  term  would  expire  in  1859.  In  order  to  be  elected  in  1858, 
Douglas  knew  he  must  control  the  election  to  the  state  legislature.  Douglas  had 
broken  with  Buchanan  in  the  Kansas  troubles  and  found  that  he  had  a  hard  fight 
before  him  in  Illinois.  When  Buchanan  threatened  Douglas,  the  "Little  Giant" 
told  the  president  that  Andrew  Jackson  was  dead.  This  meant  that  Douglas 
would  take  his  own  course  on  his  idea  of  'Popular  Sovereignty.'  " 

Mr.  Lincoln,  as  a  candidate,  however,  found  that  Douglas  was  a  strong  op- 
ponent, for  in  over  eleven  years  Douglas  had  planted  an  army  of  federal 
officials,  postmasters,  revenue  collectors,  etc.,  over  the  state.  He  had  back  of  him 
an  interested  organization,  composed  of  the  old  wheelhorses  of  his  party.  As 
Lincoln  said  of  Douglas :  "All  anxious  politicians  have  seen  in  his  round,  jolly, 


ABRAHAM  LINCOLN  . 


STEPHEN  A.  DOUGLAS 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  197 

fruitful  face,  post-offices,  land-offices,  marshall-ships,  cabinet  appointments, 
charge-ships  and  foreign  missions,  bursting  and  sprouting  out  in  wonderful 
exuberance,  ready  to  be  laid  hold  of  by  their  greedy  hands.  On  the  contrary, 
nobody  ever  expected  me  to  be  president.  In  my  poor  lean,  lank  face  nobody  has 
ever  seen  that  any  cabbages  were  sprouting  out.  We  have  to  fight  this  battle 
upon  principle,  and  principle  alone." 

Some  claimed  that  John  Wentworth  of  Chicago  was  the  real  republican  can- 
didate and  that  Lincoln  was  just  a  stalking-horse  to  beat  Douglas  in  the  leg- 
islative elections. 

Douglas  received  the  indorsement  of  the  Democratic  State  Convention  April 
21,  1858.  A  number  of  democrats  bolted,  held  a  "rump"  convention  on  June  gth 
and  denounced  Douglas.  The  Republican  Convention  was  held  June  16,  at 
Springfield.  Lincoln  was  unanimously  nominated  with  wild  applause.  Chicago 
took  the  lead  in  securing  Lincoln's  nomination. 

It  was  Lincoln's  carefully  written  speech  of  acceptance  that  brought  him 
at  once  into  national  prominence.  It  was  in  this  speech  that  he  broke  away 
from  the  old  compromise  idea  and  said,  "The  Government  cannot  exist  half 
salve  and  half  free ;  it  must  become  all  one  thing  or  all  the  other."  Future  events 
justified  the  wisdom  of  Lincoln  going  to  the  root  of  the  whole  slavery  question. 
But  the  politicians  of  his  own  party  felt  that  he  had  made  a  mistake.  Truly 
enough,  from  the  standpoint  of  immediate  politics,  he  lost,  for  Douglas  beat 
him  in  the  race  for  the  senate.  But  Lincoln  was  looking  far  into  the  muture. 
He  grasped  the  great  fundamentals  and  essentials  of  the  slavery  question,  and 
in  1860  he  became  the  logical  candidate  for  the  presidency  of  the  United  States. 

The  campaign  really  opened  in  Chicago,  where  Douglas  was  given  a  great 
oration.  Democratic  newspapers  said  30,000  people  heard  him.  Republican 
papers  said  12,000.  In  this  speech  Douglas  attacked  Lincoln's  Springfield  speech. 
Lincoln  then  went  to  Chicago  and  replied  to  Douglas.  The  Illinois  Journal  then 
said :  "The  war  has  begun.  In  sound  manly  argument  Lincoln  is  too  much  for 
Douglas.  While  the  former  shakes  his  black  locks  vaingloriously,  and  ex- 
plodes in  mere  fustion  of  sound  and  smoke,  the  latter,  quietly,  unassumingly  but 
effectively,  drives  home  argument  after  argument,  heavy  as  cannon  balls  and 
sharp  as  two-edged  swords,  until  his  adversary  is  so  thoroughly  riddled,  cut  up 
and  used  up,  that  in  the  view  of  discriminating  men,  nothing  remains  of  him  but 
a  ghastly  appearance."  The  Louisville  Democrat  said :  "The  debate  in  Illinois 
is  the  ablest  and  most  important  that  has  ever  taken  place  in  any  of  the  states, 
on  the  great  question  which  has  so  .long  agitated  the  country,  elected  and  de- 
feated presidential  candidates,  built  up  and  broken  down  parties.  It  is  the 
opening  for  the  question  of  1860.  In  Illinois  the  real  battle  has  begun,  by  broad- 
sides too,  from  the  heaviest  artillery.  Douglas  is  matchless  in  debate  and  stands 
upon  the  only  national  platform.  Lincoln  is  able  and  does  full  justice  to  the 
cause  he  advocates."  The  New  York  Tribune  commented  on  the  fact  that  Douglas 
was  born  in  Free  Vermont  and  Lincoln  in  slave-holding  Kentucky,  and  observes 
that  these  gentlemen  would  seem  respectively  to  have  "conquered  their  preju- 
dices" found  in  early  impressions.  The  Philadelphian  North  America  said 
August  25,  1858,  "The  administration  of  Buchanan  has  been  at  work  with  all 
its  power  and  influence  to  prevent  the  election  of  Douglas  to  the  Senate.  Mr. 


198  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Lincoln  follows  Douglas  wherever  he  goes,  and  has  the  best  of  the  argument." 
Trumbull  also  stumped  the  state  against  Douglas  and  Mr.  Edwin  Ensle  Sparks 
says :  "Without  a  formal  nomination  or  indorsement  by  the  people  of  Illinois, 
ridiculed  as  a  "My  party"  candidate,  and  facing  the  loss  of  Federal  patronage, 
Douglas  entered  on  the  greatest  of  his  many  battles  for  supremacy, — a  contest 
surpassing  that  waged  two  years  later  for  the  presidency.  Alone  and  un- 
aided he  forced  in  the  lists  Trumbull  and  Lincoln,  the  best  debaters  afforded 
by  the  Republicans  in  the  West  and  probably  equaled  by  Seward  in  the  East." 

The  Quincy  Whig  had  an  idea  that  Douglas  was  done  for.  It  said,  "Judge 
Douglas  has  left  the  Democratic  party  or  it  has  left  him.  He  sees  that  his 
fate  is  sealed,  but  he  is  determined  to  die  hard."  The  Pittsfield  Democrat  took 
up  Lincoln's  statement  that  he  would  rather  be  a  live  dog  than  a  dead  lion.  The 
Democrat  said,  "Abe  Lincoln  who  compared  himself  to  a  living  dog  and  Doug- 
las to  a  dead  lion  will  rapidly  discover  that  instead  of  'living,'  he  is  one  of  the 
smallest  of  defunct  puppies.  His  comparison  in  some  degree  was  true — it  is 
very  much  like  a  puppy-dog  fighting  a  lion." 

Douglas  began  a  tour  of  the  state  after  his  oration  in  Chicago.  He  had  a 
special  train,  and  a  flat  car  at  the  rear  on  which  was  a  small  cannon.  It  was 
reported  that  Douglas  mortgaged  his  Chicago  home  and  borrowed  funds  in  New 
York  to  carry  on  his  campaign.  Republicans  said  he  carried  a  cannon  so  as  to 
announce  his  entrance  to  a  city,  provided  there  was  no  reception  for  him.  On 
the  baggage  car  in  large  letters  were  the  words,  "S.  A.  Douglas,  the  Champion 
of  Popular  Sovereignty."  At  Bloomington  Douglas  attacked  Lincoln's  ideas. 
He  said  Lincoln  was  in  favor  of  negro  equality.  That  he  defied  the  Supreme 
Court  in  opposing  the  Dred  Scott  Decision  and  that  Lincoln's  "House  Divided 
Against  Itself"  speech  beautiful  the  spirit  of  disunion. 

July  19,  1858,  Douglas  spoke  in  Springfield  in  the  afternoon  and  Lincoln 
replied  at  night.  Lincoln  also  had  an  invitation  to  go  to  Bloomington  and  reply 
to  Douglas.  Douglas  made  out  a  schedule  of  speeches  indicating  his  itinerary, 
after  his  Springfield  speech.  Lincoln's  friends  made  a  corresponding  schedule 
closely  following  that  of  Douglas,  sometimes  at  the  same  place  on  the  same  date, 
but  more  often  a  day  or  so  following.  Douglas'  friends  claimed  that  Lincoln 
was  violating  the  ethics  of  campaigning  by  following  Douglas.  The  Illinois 
State  Journal  approved,  saying:  "We  hope  that  Mr.  Lincoln  will  continue  to 
follow  up  Mr.  Douglas  with  a  sharp  stick,  even  if  it  does  make  his  organ  (the 
Chicago  Times)  howl  with  rage."  Another  paper  said:  "Wherever  the  Little 
Giant  happens  to  be,  Abe  is  sure  to  turn  up  and  be  a  thorn  in  his  side."  The 
Chicago  Times  said  Lincoln's  Chicago  and  Springfield  meetings  were  failures. 
"The  cringing,  crawling  creature  is  hanging  at  the  outskirts  of  Douglas'  meet- 
ings, begging  the  people  to  come  and  hear  him.  He  rode  to  Monticello  yesterday 
on  Douglas'  train ;  poor  deseperate  creature,  he  wants  an  audience !  The  people 
won't  turn  out  and  hear  him,  and  he  must  do  something,  even  if  it  is  mean, 
sneaking  and  disreputable!  We  suggest  that  Lincoln's  managers  make  an  ar- 
rangement with  a  Circus  Company  now  touring  the  State,  to  include  a  speech 
by  Lincoln  in  the  program.  In  this  way  Lincoln  could  get  good  audiences."  In 
reply  the  Chicago  Journal  said :  "We  suppose  Douglas  owns  neither  the  railroad 
trains  he  travels  on  nor  the  people  whom  he  addresses."  The  Chicago  Times  said : 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  199 

"Lincoln  attended  the  Douglas  Meeting  at  Clinton  screened  behind  a  man  in 
green  goggles,  whom  he  used  as  a  shield  and  cover.  When  Douglas  was  through, 
Lincoln  gradually  lengthened  out  his  long  lank  proportions  till  he  stood  upon  his 
feet,  and  with  a  desperate  attempt  to  look  pleasant,  said  that  he  would  not  take 
advantage  of  Judge  Douglas'  crowd  but  would  address  'sich'  as  like  to  hear  him 
in  the  evening  at  the  Courthouse." 

LINCOLN'S  CHALLENGE  TO  DOUGLAS. 

In  his  speeches  Douglas  was  paying  particular  attention  to  Trumbull's 
speeches.  Lincoln's  friends  feared  that  in  this  way  he  would  be  a  minor  attrac- 
tion in  the  campaign  and  would  lose  force  as  a  candidate.  Lincoln  was  anxious 
for  a  series  of  joint  debates  with  Douglas  and  after  consulting  the  Republican 
leaders,  he  sent  the  following  challenge  to  Douglas  : 


Hon.  S.  A.  Douglas.  '  D1" 

My  Dear  Sir:  Will  it  be  agreeable  to  you  to  make  an  arrangement  for  you 
and  myself  to  divide  time,  and  address  the  same  audiences  the  present  canvas? 
Mr.  Judd,  who  will  hand  you  this,  is  authorized  to  receive  your  answer;  and  if 
agreeable  to  you,  to  enter  into  terms  of  such  agreement. 

Your  obedient  servant,  A.  LINCOLN. 

That  very  day  Douglas  answered  the  challenge,  accepting  it  and  suggesting 
places  where  the  debates  were  to  be  held.  Mr.  Douglas  expressed  surprise  that 
Lincoln  had  delayed  so  long  in  sending  the  challenge  as  he  had  already  made  out 
his  schedule  and  had  arranged  with  candidates  for  Congress  and  State  offices 
to  speak  from  the  same  platform.  "However,"  Mr.  Douglas  said,  "I  will  take 
the  responsibility  of  making  an  arrangement  with  you  for  a  discussion  between 
us  at  one  prominent  point  in  each  Congressional  District  except  the  second  and 
the  sixth  where  both  have  spoken  and  you  had  the  last  speech.  If  agreeable  to 
you,  I  will  indicate  to  you  the  following  places  as  those  most  suitable  in  the  sev- 
eral congressional  districts  in  which  we  should  speak,  to  wit  :  Freeport,  Ottawa, 
Galesburg,  Quincy,  Alton,  Jonesboro,  and  Charleston.  I  will  confer  with  you 
at  the  earliest  opportunity  in  regard  to  the  mode  of  conducting  the  debate. 
Very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

S.  A.  DOUGLAS. 

Republican  papers  claimed  that  Douglas  evaded  the  conflict  in  limiting  the 
number  of  debates  and  that  he  lacked  courtesy  when  he  selected  the  places 
where  the  debates  were  to  be  held,  if  any  were  to  be  held.  The  Chicago  Daily 
Journal,  July  27,  says  :  "Every  canvass  for  the  last  twenty  years  has  found  these 
two  champions  of  their  respective  parties  side  by  side  with  each  other,  and  often 
addressing  the  same  audience,  and  Mr.  Lincoln  never  asked  any  favor  of  his 
adversary.  He  does  not  now.  Douglas  shows  the  white  feather  and,  like  a 
trembling  Felix,  skulks  behind  the  appointments  of  the  emasculate  Democratic 
State  Central  Committee!"  The  Chicago  Times  believed,  or  pretended  to  be- 
lieve that  Lincoln's  challenge  was  due  to  the  fact  that  Lincoln  could  not  get 
audiences  to  come  out  to  hear  him.  It  expressed  the  opinion  that  about  two 


200  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

joint  discussions  would  satisfy  Mr.  Lincoln's  ambitions  along  this  line.  The 
paper  doubted  Mr.  Lincoln's  acceptance,  but  stated  that  if  he  did  he  would  get 
enough  of  debate  and  discomfiture  to  last  him  a  life-time.  The  Peoria  Tran- 
script and  other  papers  took  the  position  that  Lincoln's  delay  in  issuing  the  chal- 
lenge was  due  to  the  fact  that  out  of  courtesy,  in  accordance  with  a  western  cus- 
tom, Lincoln  expected  and  hoped  that  Judge  Douglas  would  challenge  him  to 
stump  the  state. 

FREEPORT    JOURNAL,    JULY    2g,     1858. 

In  discussing  the  debate  the  Freeport  Journal  said,  "Mr.  Lincoln  having 
challenged  Senator  Douglas  to  meet  him  on  the  stump  all  over  the  state.  The 
latter .  declines  the  general  invitation,  but  agrees  to  meet  him  at  seven  different 
places  as  follows:  Freeport,  Galesburg,  Ottawa,  Quincy,  Jonesboro,  Alton  and 
Charleston,  provided  Lincoln  will  come  at  the  time  Douglas'  friends  may  have 
chosen,  if  any.  Though  this  is  a  half-way  evasion  of  the  challenge,  we  are 
glad  that  we  in  Freeport,  at  least,  will  have  an  opportunity  to  hear  these  two 
champions  from  the  same  stand.  We  bespeak  for  them  the  largest  gathering 
ever  known  here,  and  are  willing  to  let  the  people  judge  for  themselves  who 
shall  be  their  choice  after  a  fair  hearing  of  them  both  in  person." 

The  Illinois  State  register  defended  Douglas  and  hoots  at  the  idea  that 
Douglas  is  afraid  to  meet  Lincoln.  It  said,  "The  idea  that  a  man  who  has 
crossed  blades  in  the  Senate  with  the  strongest  intellects  of  the  country,  who 
has  as  the  champion  of  Democratic  principles  in  the  senatorial  arena,  routed 
all  opposition — that  such  a  man  dreads  encounter  with  A.  Lincoln  is  an  ab- 
surdity that  can  be  uttered  by  Lincoln's  organs  only  with  a  ghastly  phiz.  If 
Lincoln  was  good  for  fifty  or  a  hundred  encounters,  he  ought  to  be  good  for 
seven." 

On  July  29,  Lincoln  met  Douglas  near  Monticello,  Illinois,  and  offered  him 
his  answer  to  Douglas'  reply  to  the  challenge.  A  St.  Louis  paper  gives  the 
following  account  of  that  meeting  on  a  prairie  road.  It  is  needless  to  say  the 
account  was  written  by  a  Douglas  reporter.  "On  the  way  to  the  railroad,  the 
judge's  procession  was  met  by  Abe,  who  in  a  kind  of  nervous,  excited  manner 
tumbled  out  of  his  carriage,  his  legs  appearing  sadly  in  the  way  or  out  of 
place.  He  got  to  the  judge's  carriage  with  a  kind  of  hop,  skip  and  a  jump, 
and  then  with  considerable  bowing  and  scraping,  he  told  the  judge  he  had  the 
answer  to  the  judge's  letter;  that  it  was  long,  that  he  had  not  compared  it 
with  the  original  letter,  and  could  the  judge  just  wait  that  the  comparison 
might  be  made  by  the  roadside.  Just  think  of  staying  out  in  the  middle  of  a 
vast  prairie  to  compare  notes.  Douglas,  of  course,  declined,  requesting  Mr. 
Lincoln  to  compare  to  his  own  satisfaction,  and  then  forward  the  communica- 
tion." Lincoln's  reply  is  dated  Springfield,  July  29.  In  it,  Mr.  Lincoln  an- 
swers several  insinuations  in  Mr.  Douglas'  letter.  Concluding  Mr.  Lincoln 
says,  "I  agree  to  an  arrangement  for  us  to  speak  at  the  seven  places  you  men- 
tion, and  at  your  own  times,  provided  you  name  the  times  at  once,  so  that  I, 
as  well  as  you,  can  have  to  myself  the  time  not  covered  by  the  arrangement. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  201 

As  to  the  other  details,   I   wish   perfect   reciprocity  and  no  more.     I   wish   as 
much  time  as  you  and  that  conclusions  shall  alternate.     That  is  all. 

Your  obedient  servant,  A.  LINCOLN. 

P.  S.  As  matters  now  stand,  I  shall  be  at  no  more  of  your  exclusive  meet- 
ings. A.  L. 

Douglas  received  Lincoln's  letter  at  Bement,  and  replied  the  next  day,  July 
30,  1858,  as  follows: 

Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  dated  yesterday,  accepting  my  proposition  for  a  joint 
discussion  at  one  prominent  point  in  each  district  except,  as  stated  in  my  pre- 
vious letter,  was  received  this  morning.  The  times  and  places  designated  are 
as  follows:  Ottawa,  LaSalle  County,  August  21,  1858;  Freeport,  Stephenson 
County,  August  2j,  1858;  Jonesboro,  Union  County,  September  15,  1858; 
Charleston,  Coles  County,  September  18,  1858;  Galesburg,  Knox  County,  Octo- 
ber 7,  1858;  Quincy,  Adams  County,  October  13,  1858;  Alton,  Madison  County, 
October  15,  1858. 

I  agree  to  your  suggestion  that  to  alternately  open  and  close  the  discussion, 
I  will  speak  at  Ottawa  one  hour,  you  can  reply,  occupying  one  hour  and  a  half, 
and  I  will  then  follow  for  one-half  hour.  We  will  alternate  in  like  manner  at 
each  successive  place. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  A.  DOUGLAS. 

On  July  31,  Lincoln  replied:  "Yours  of  yesterday,  naming  places,  times  and 
terms  for  joint  discussions  between  us  was  received  this  morning.  Although 
by  the  terms,  as  you  propose,  you  take  four  openings  and  closes  to  my  three,  I 
accede,  and  thus  close  the  arrangement.  I  direct  this  to  you  at  Hillsboro,  and 
shall  try  to  have  both  your  letter  and  this  appear  in  the  Journal  and  Register 
Monday  morning. 

Your  obedient  servant,  A.  LINCOLN. 

The  Springfield  Journal  said  on  July  31,  "It  is  clear  that  Senator  Douglas 
is  not  fond  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  rough-handling  and  is  anxious  to  get  out  of  an  ugly 
scrape  on  any  terms.  He  had  to  run  away  from  Lincoln  in  1854  and  dares  not 
stand  his  broadsides  now." 

Thus  on  July  31,  the  last  word  had  been  written  between  these  two  great  sons 
of  Illinois,  and  a  series  of  joint  debates  arranged  that  have  no  parallel  in  the 
history  of  the  United  States.  The  whole  state  was  aroused  and  all  looked  for- 
ward eagerly  to  the  opening  of  the  series  at  Ottawa,  August  21,  1858. 

THE  OTTAWA  DEBATE. 

The  special  Chicago  train  of  14  cars,  leaving  at  8:00,  arrived  at  Ottawa  with 
Lincoln  at  1 1 145.  The  railroad  gave  a  half-fare  rate.  Twenty  thousand  people 
assembled  to  hear  the  contest.  Douglas  was  met  at  Peru  and  brought  to  Ottawa 
in  a  carriage  drawn  by  four  horses.  He  was  escorted  into  the  city  by  shouts 
of  the  thousands,  the  booming  of  cannons  and  the  music  of  brass  bands,  says 
one  of  the  reporters,  while  the  Lincoln  delegation  made  a  sorrowful  appear- 
ance. Another  paper  said  that  Lincoln  was  met  at  the  depot  by  an  immense 
crowd  with  flying  banners,  while  Douglas'  turnout  was  less  noisy. 


202  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

At  Ottawa  the  surging  crowd  two  or  three  times  almost  drove  the  reporters 
off  the  platform.  People  climbed  to  the  roof  of  the  speakers  stand  and  it  broke 
through  on  the  heads  of  the  reception  committee.  The  Chicago  Press  and  the 
Tribune  said,  "Fully  two-thirds  of  the  crowd  were  with  Lincoln  and  cheered 
him  wildly  all  through  his  speech."  It  says,  "When  Lincoln  had  finished  his 
speech,  Douglas  sprang  to  his  feet  to  reply.  His  face  was  lined  with  passion  and 
excitement.  We  have  never  seen  a  human  face  so  distorted  with  rage.  He  re- 
sembled a  wild  beast  in  looks  and  gesture,  and  a  maniac  in  language  and  argu- 
ment. He  called  everybody  liars  who  believed  the  charges  Lincoln  made  against 
him.  He  boasted  that  he  had  won  the  victory  and  threatened  what  awful  things 
he  would  do  to  Lincoln  at  Freeport." 

The  Missouri  Republican's  reporter  wrote  in  his  paper  that  Douglas'  speech 
was  received  calmly,  but  "Lincoln  in  one  of  his  characteristic  efforts,  inter- 
larding his  address  with  funny  anecdotes,  droll  expressions  and  frequent  witti- 
cisms, soon  brought  outbursts  of  applause  which  his  clever  hits  brought  forth. 
He  punched  the  Little  Giant  right  and  left  and  dealt  him  many  a  well  aimed 
thrust  of  keen  satire.  But  the  aforesaid  Giant  did  not  seem  to  be  otherwise  af- 
fected than  as  a  young  bull  by  an  attack  of  gad  flies.  Douglas  was  aroused,  and 
when  it  came  his  turn  to  reply,  "perhaps"  he  didn't  make  the  "hair"  "fly."  The 
Peoria  Transcript  said  "Douglas"  whole  speech  was  delivered  in  a  coarse,  vulgar, 
boisterous  style.  Lincoln's  speech  was  high-toned  and  honorable,  bold  pungent 
and  powerful."  The  Illinois  State  Register,  Springfield,  said,  "Compared  with 
the  hearty  welcome  of  Douglas  the  efforts  of  the  Republicans  to  make  a  show 
for  Lincoln  was  a  sickly  affair.  Lincoln  did  not  'face  the  music.'  He  only  blun- 
dered and  broke  down  lacking  fifteen  minutes  of  making  out  the  time  al- 
lotted to  him.  Lincoln  withered  before  the  bold,  lucid,  eloquent  argumentation, 
and  writhed  under  the  sharp  invective  of  Douglas."  The  Chicago  Times  said 
"Lincoln  broke  down,  his  heart,  his  legs,  his  tongue,  his  arms  failed  him,  and 
he  failed  all  over."  The  Chicago  Journal :  "Since  the  flailing  Senator  Douglas 
got  at  Ottawa  on  Saturday  we  suggest  that  his  friends  address  him  as  the  late 
Mr.  Douglas."  The  Quincy  Whig:  "Among  other  equally  eloquent  expressions, 
Douglas  said  he  intended  to  bring  Lincoln  to  his  milk,  that  Lincoln  advocated 
that  'niggers'  were  equal  to  white  men  and  that  he  was  going  to  'trot'  Lincoln 
down  to  Egypt.  Isn't  this  beautiful  language  for  a  United  States  senator?" 

The  newspapers  gave  such  conflicting  reports  of  the  debate  at  Ottawa  that 
the  only  way  to  form  an  unbiased  opinion  is  to  read  the  speeches. 

THE  FREEPORT  DEBATE. 

Friday,  August  2.7,  at  Freeport  was  a  chilly  day,  threatening  rain.  But  the 
crowds  came  from  all  directions  to  hear  the  great  debate,  the  second  of  the 
series  between  Lincoln  and  Douglas.  At  9  o'clock  the  Carroll  County  delegations 
arrived  with  a  brass  band  and  banners.  An  hour  later  a  special  train  of  twelve 
crowded  cars  came  in  from  Dixon.  Mr.  Lincoln  arrived  on  this  train  and  was 
met  at  the  station  by  two  thousand  citizens  of  Stephenson  County.  They  met 
him  with  tremendous  cheering  and  the  multitude,  headed  by  a  band,  marched' 
to  the  Brewster  Hotel  where  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner  delivered  the  welcome  ad- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  203 

dress.  A  special  train  of  sixteen  cars,  carrying  over  one  thousand  persons, 
came  in  from  Rockford,  with  a  banner  "Winnebago  County  for  Old  Abe." 
They  swept  up  Stephenson  Street  to  the  hotel  and  yelled  till  Lincoln  came  out 
and  made  a  brief  speech.  A  train  of  eight  cars  brought  a  crowd  from  Galena 
and  Lincoln  again  had  to  appear  on  the  balcony  at  the  Brewster.  Douglas 
reached  Freeport  Thursday  evening  and  was  escorted  to  the  Brewster  by  a 
torchlight  procession.  The  New  York  Evening  Post's  special  correspondent 
said  the  crowd  was  larger  than  at  Ottawa.  "All  prairiedom  lias  broken  loose. 
Everywhere  are  banners,  cotton  mottoes  and  small  flags.  The  streets  are  black 
with  people.  The  weather  is  cool  and  cloudy.  Mr.  Douglas  was  greeted  last 
evening  by  a  turnout  of  torches,  salutes  of  artillery  and  a  stunning  illumination 
of  the  hotel."  A  Republican  Chicago  newspaper  said  there  were  seventy-five  in 
the  torchlight  procession  and  the  Missouri  Republican  (Democratic)  said  there 
were  one  thousand. 

The  Freeport  Journal  (September  21,  1858)  said:  "The  people  began  coming 
the  day  before.  The  crowd  was  estimated  at  from  ten  thousand  to  twenty 
thousand.  Douglas  was  met  at  the  depot  Thursday  evening  and  made  a  brief 
speech  at  the  Brewster  Hotel.  Lincoln  arrived  from  the  South  at  ten  o'clock 
and  was  met  at  the  train  by  an  immense  assemblage  of  Republicans.  All  away 
along  the  procession  to  the  Brewster  Hotel  he  was  received  with  the  most  un- 
bounded enthusiasm.  It  was  plainly  evident  that  the  great  majority  of  the  peo- 
ple had  no  sympathy  with  the  party  that  endorsed  the  Dred  Scott  Decision  or 
its  unprincipled  leader." 

WHERE  THE  DEBATE  WAS  HELD. 

The  Lincoln-Douglas  debate  in  Freeport  was  held  not  far  from  the  Brewster 
Hotel,  the  site  being  marked  by  a  large  boulder.  The  platform  was  three  or 
four  feet  high  and  had  room  on  it  for  about  a  dozen  people.  The  crowd  formed 
a  vast  semi-circle  about  the  stand. 

It  had  been  planned  to  take  Douglas  to  the  speaking  place  in  a  handsome 
carriage.  Lincoln's  men,  hearing  of  this,  decided  to  produce  a  contrast,  explained 
as  follows  from  the  recollection  of  General  Smith  D.  Atkins:  "Laming  that  it 
was  the  intention  to  convey  the  Democratic  champion  in  a  splendid  equipage  from 
Mr.  Brawley's  residence  to  the  place  of  speaking,  the  Republican  Committee  sent 
out  into  Lancaster  township  for  Uncle  John  Long  to  come  to  Freeport  with  his 
splendid  team  of  six  enormous  horses  and  his  conestoga  wagon  in  which  he  had 
recently  driven  from  Pennsylavnia.  Lincoln  stoutly  protested  against  the  plan, 
but  finally  consented.  Amid  the  cheers  of  Republicans  and  Democrats  alike,  he 
climbed  into  the  wagon,  followed  by  a  dozen  of  his  enthusiastic  supporters  from 
the  farming  contingent  and  was  drawn  to  the  place  of  speaking.  The  driver  of 
the  teams  sat  on  the  nigh  wheel  horse  and  drove  the  six  horses  with  a  single 
rein."  When  Douglas  was  informed  of  Lincoln's  conveyance,  he  decided  to 
abandon  the  fine  carriage  and  the  dapple  grays  and  walked  to  the  speaker's  plat- 
form Vvith  Colonel  Mitchel. 

The  New  York  Evening  Post  has  the  following  from  its  special  correspond- 
ent on  the  method  of  handling  the  crowd  at  Freeport:  "After  dinner  the  crowd 


204  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

hurried  to  a  grove  near  the  hotel,  where  the  speakers'  stand  and  seats  for  listen- 
ers had  been  arranged.  Here  also  was  confusion  and  disorder.  They  have  a 
wretched  way  in  Illinois  of  leaving  the  platform  unguarded  and  exposed  to  the 
forcible  entry  of  the  mob,  who  seize  upon  it  an  hour  before  the  notabilities  ar- 
rive and  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  all  urgent  appeals  to  evacuation.  Hence,  orators, 
committee  of  reception,  invited  guests  and  last,  but  not  least,  the  newspaper 
gentry  have  to  fight  a  hand  to  hand  conflict  for  even  the  meagerest  chance  for 
standing  room.  This  consumes  a  half  hour  or  so,  during  which  the  crowd  tak- 
ing their  cue  from  those  of  high  places,  improvise  a  few  scuffles  for  position 
among  themselves." 

DESCRIPTION  OF  DOUGLAS  AND  LINCOLN. 

The  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Evening  Post  gave  the  following  de- 
scription of  Douglas  and  Lincoln : 

"Two  men  presenting  wider  contrasts  could  hardly  be  found  as  representa- 
tives of  the  two  great  political  parties.  Everybody  knows  Douglas,  a  short, 
thick-set,  burly  man,  with  large  round  head,  heavy  hair,  dark  complexion,  and 
fierce  bull-dog  bark.  Strong  in  his  own  real  power,  and  skilled  in  a  thousand 
conflicts  in  all  the  strategy  of  a  hand  to  hand  or  a  general  fight.  Of  towering 
ambition,  restless  in  his  desire  for  notoriety:  proud,  defiant,  arrogant,  unscrupu- 
lous, 'Little  Doug'  ascended  the  platform  and  looked  out  impudently  and  care- 
lessly on  the  immense  throng  which  surged  and  struggled  before  him.  A  native 
of  Vermont,  reared  on  soil  where  no  slave  ever  trod,  trained  to  hard  manual 
labor  and  schooled  in  hardships,  he  came  to  Illinois  a  teacher,  and  from  one 
post  to  another  had  arisen  to  his  present  eminence. 

"The  other,  Lincoln,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  of  poor  white  parentage 
and  from  his  cradle  he  has  felt  the  blighting  influence  and  cruel  shadow  which 
rendered  labor  dishonorable.  Reared  in  poverty  and  the  humblest  aspirations, 
he  came  to  Illinois  and  began  his  career  of  honorable  toil.  At  first  a  laborer, 
splitting  rails  for  a  living,  deficient  in  education,  and  applying  himself  even  to  the 
rudiments  of  knowledge  he,  too,  felt  the  expanding  power  of  manhood  and  be- 
gan to  achieve  the  greatness  to  which  he  has  succeeded.  With  great  difficulty, 
struggling  through  the  tedious  formularies  of  legal  lore,  he  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  and  rapidly  made  his  way  to  the  front  ranks  of  his  profession.  He  has 
been  always,  in  every  relation  of  life,  the  pure  and  honest  man.  Built  on  the 
Kentucky  type,  he  is  very  tall,  slender  and  angular,  awkward,  even  in  gait  and 
attitude.  His  face  is  sharp,  large  featured  and  unprepossessing.  His  eyes  are 
deep  set,  under  heavy  brows ;  his  forehead  is  high  and  retreating  and  his  hair  is 
dark  and  heavy.  In  repose,  'Long  Abe's'  appearance  is  not  comely.  But  stir  him 
up  and  the  fire  of  his  genius  plays  on  every  feature.  His  eye  glows  and  sparkles, 
every  lineament,  now  so  ill-formed,  grows  radiant  and  expressive,  and  you  have 
before  you  a  man  of  rare  power  and  of  strong  magnetic  influence.  He  is  clear, 
concise,  and  logical ;  his  language  is  eloquent  and  at  perfect  command.  He  is 
altogether  a  more  fluent  speaker  than  Douglas,  and  in  all  the  arts  of  debate  fully 
his  equal." 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  205 

A  description  of  Lincoln  in  the  Vincennes  Sun,  July  3,  1858,  is  as  follows: 

"Lincoln  is  popular, — the  strongest  man  the  opposition  have,  is  nearly  fifty 
years  old,  six  feet  two,  slightly  stoop-shouldered,  very  muscular  and  powerful, 
dark  eyes,  a  quizzical,  pleasant,  raw-boned  face,  tells  a  story  better  than  anybody 
else,  is  a  good  lawyer,  and  is  what  the  world  calls  a  devilish  good  fellow.  He 
would  have  been  Senator  before  had  not  Trumbull's  superior  cunning  over- 
reached him.  But  in  dignity,  intellect  and  majesty  of  mind,  it  is  not  pretended 
that  he  is  Douglas's  equal."  Douglas  said  that  he  considered  Lincoln  "a  kind, 
amiable,  kindhearted  gentleman,  a  good  citizen,  and  an  honorable  opponent,"  but 
that  he  took  exception  to  his  principles. 

An  eye  witness  of  the  Freeport  debate  gives  the  following  description  of  the 
"two  men :  "Lincoln  was  tall  and  ungainly,  with  a  lean  face.  Homely  and  sor- 
rowful looking,  while  Douglas  was  short  and  fat,  easy  of  manner  and  his  full 
face  seemed  to  be  that  of  a  man  whose  life  had  been  one  of  success  and  sun- 
shine. Douglas  was  dressed  in  what  might  have  been  called  plantation  style. 
He  was  richly  dressed.  He  wore  a  ruffled  shirt,  a  dark  blue  coat  closed  with 
shiny  buttons,  light  trousers  and  shiny  shoes,  with  a  wide-brimmed  soft  hat,  like 
that  still  worn  by  the  prosperous  politicians  of  Southern  Illinois.  He  made  a 
picture  fitted  for  the  stage. 

Lincoln  wore  an  old  stove-pipe  hat  with  a  coarse  looking  coat  with  sleeves 
far  too  short,  and  baggy  trousers,  so  short  that  they  showed  his  rough  boots. 
To  tell  the  truth,  the  Lincoln  men  couldn't  brag  much  on  their  man  for  exhibi- 
tion purposes. 

The  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Tribune  criticised  Douglas  for  his 
abuse  of  opponents.  It  says,  "Trumbull  in  particular  came  in  for  a  good  share 
of  these  compliments.  Douglas  is  rather  more  cautious  how  he  talks  about  Lin- 
coln, 'Long  Abe'  being  a  man  of  Kentucky  raising,  and  one  who  might  fight  and 
'Little  Doug'  is  well  known  to  be  a  bully  who  insults  only  peaceable  men."  The 
Tribune  reporter  also  sent  his  paper  the  following  story  about  Lincoln's  good 
looks.  The  story  goes  as  follows :  "Lincoln  was  out  hunting  in  the  woods  when 
he  fell  in  with  a  most  truculent  looking  hunter  who  immediately  took  a  sight 
on  Lincoln  with  a  rifle.  'Halloo!'  says  Lincoln,  'whatever  you  going  to  do 
stranger?'  'See  here,  friend,  the  folks  in  my  settlement  told  me  if  I  ever  saw  a 
man  uglier  than  I  was,  then  I  must  shoot  him ;  and  I've  found  him  at  last.' 
'Well,'  says  Lincoln,  after  a  good  look  at  the  man,  'Shoot  away,  for  if  I  am 
really  uglier  than  you  are,  I  don't  want  to  live  any  longer.'  " 

The  Chicago  Times  said,  October  i,  1858:  "It  will  be  remembered  that 
after  Lincoln  had  been  listened  to  attentively,  and  when  Douglas  went  upon 
the  stand,  some  villian  threw  at  Douglas  a  melon,  hitting  him  upon  one  shoulder. 
Nor  was  that  the  only  indecent  act  perpetrated  by  the  enemies  of  Democracy  at 
that  place.  From  that  day  to  this  the  ruffianism  of  black  Republicanism  has 
steadily  increased." 

Mr.  Ingalls  Carleton,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Freeport  who  witnessed  the 
great  debate,  says  that  on  Friday  A.  M.  the  people  crowded  the  street  in  front 
of  the  Brewster  Hotel  and  yelled  for  both  Douglas  and  Lincoln.  Finally  both 
Lincoln  and  Douglas  appeared  on  the  balcony,  arm  in  arm,  and  bowed  to  the 


206  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

people  again  and  again.     At  the  debate  each  side  thought  its  man  did  the  best, 
but  a  majority  thought  Lincoln  had  Douglas  on  the  hip." 

William  Askey  says  Hon.  Martin  P.  Sweet  had  a  vantage  position  on  a  box 
car  when  Lincoln's  train  came  into  Freeport  and  shouted,  "Make  the  welkin  ring 
when  the  train  arrives."  He  adds,  "they  cheered  as  though  bedlam  had  an 
outing." 

LINCOLN'S  QUESTIONS  AND  DOUGLAS'  REPLY. 

During  the  Ottawa  debate  Douglas  put  several  question  to  Mr.  Lincoln.  At 
Freeport,  Lincoln  answered  these  questions  and  then  said  that  he  had  a  few 
questions  he  wanted  to  put  to  Judge  Douglas.  At  Freeport,  he  confined  himself 
to  four  questions,  as  follows : 

1.  If  the  people  of  Kansas  shall,  by  means  entirely  unobjectionable  in  all 
other  respects,  adopt  a  state  constitution  and  ask  admission  into  the  Union  under 
it,  before  they  have  the  requisite  number  of  inhabitants  according  to  the  English 
bill — same  93,000,  will  you  vote  to  admit  them?     (Applause.) 

2.  Can  the  people  of  a  United  States  territory  in  a  lawful  way,  against  the 
wish  of  any  citizen  of  the  United  States,  exclude  slavery  from  its  limits  prior 
to  the  formation  of  a  state  constitution?     (Applause.) 

3.  If  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States  shall  decree  that  states  cannot 
exclude  slavery  from  their  limits,  are  you  in  favor  of  aquiescing  in,  adopting 
and  following  such  decision  as  a  rule  of  political  action?      (Loud  applause.) 

4.  Are  you  in  favor  of  acquiring  additional  territory  in  disregard  of  how 
such  acquisition  may  affect  the  nation  on  the  slavery  question?     (Cries  of  good! 
good!) 

Judge  Douglas  answered  the  questions  as  follows: 

i.  I,  therefore,  answer  at  once  that  it  having  been  decided  that  Kansas  has 
people  enough  for  a  slave  state,  it  has  enough  for  a  free  state. 

'  2.  In  my  opinion  the  people  of  a  territory  can,  by  lawful  means,  exclude 
slavery  from  their  limits,  prior  to  the  formation  of  a  state  constitution.  It  mat- 
ters not  what  way  the  supreme  court  may  hereafter  decide  as  the  abstract  ques- 
tion whether  slavery  may  go  into  the  territory  under  the  constitution,  the  people 
have  the  lawful  means  to  introduce  it  or  exclude  it  as  they  please,  for  the  reason 
that  slavery  cannot  exist  a  day  or  an  hour  anywhere  unless  it  is  supported  by 
local  police  regulations. 

3.  I  tell  him  that  such  a  thing  is  not  possible. 

4.  I  answer  that  whenever  it  becomes  necessary,  in  our  growth  and  progress, 
to  acquire  more  territory,  that  I  am  in  favor  of  it  without  reference  to  the  ques- 
tion of  slavery ;  and  when  we  have  acquired  it,  I  will  leave  the  people  free  to 
do  as  they  please,  either  to  make  it  slave  or  a  free  territory  as  they  prefer. 

It  was  the  second  question  that  caused  so  much  comment  before  and  after  the 
debate.  It  seemed  to  put  Douglas  in  a  dilemma  because  if  he  answered  yes, 
he  .would  seem  to  be  denying  the  principle  of  the  Dred  Scott  decision  which  he 
supported.  If  he  answered  no,  then  he  shattered  his  own  creation,  popular 
sovereignty.  However,  that  may  be,  Douglas  answered  the  question,  yes,  and 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  207 

lost  the  votes  of  the  southern  delegation  in  the  Democratic  National  Convention 
of  1860. 

That  Lincoln's  advisors  were  against  his  asking  this  second  question  is 
clear.  Joseph  Medill,  of  the  Chicago  Tribune,  was  with  Lincoln  from  Ottawa 
to  Freeport.  Between  the  two  debates  Lincoln  addressed  three  or  four  meetings. 
Lincoln  showed  his  four  questions  to  Medill  on  the  train  coming  up  from  Dixon, 
and  asked  Medill's  opinion  of  them.  Medill  objected  to  the  second  question, 
because,  as  he  said,  it  would  give  Douglas  a  chance  to  square  himself  on  his  popu- 
lar sovereignty  idea.  Lincoln  replied,  "I  won't  change  it,  and  I  intend  to  spear 
it  at  Judge  Douglas  this  afternoon."  Medill  told  E.  B.  Washburn  and  Norman 
B.  Judd,  the  former  the  congressman  from  the  Freeport  district  and  the  latter, 
chairman  of  the  Republican  State  Central  Committee,  about  Lincoln's  questions 
and  they  decided  to  attempt  to  convince  Lincoln  that  the  celebrated  question 
should  be  left  out.  They  made  the  attempt  and  failed  to  change  his  purpose. 

After  Lincoln  had  been  elected  president  of  the  United  States,  he  asked 
Medill  if  he  remembered  that  question  he  asked  Douglas  at  Freeport?  Medill, 
of  course,  remembered  it  and  replied  that,  while  it  hurt  Douglas  for  the  presi- 
dency, it  elected  him  to  the  senate.  Lincoln  replied  with  a  smile,  "Now,  I  have 
won  the  place  he  was  playing  for." 

Hon.  Clark  E.  Carr,  who  knew  Lincoln  and  Douglas  well,  in  speech  before 
the  Bar  Association,  July  n,  1907,  denied  that  Lincoln  drove  Douglas  into  a  cor- 
ner by  his  question.  He  stated  that  Douglas  had  taken  the  same  ground  on  that 
point  at  Bloomington  six  weeks  before,  and  that  Lincoln  heard  that  speech.  Mr. 
Carr  adds :  "Senator  Douglas  has  never  been  driven  into  a  corner.  In  all  his  de- 
bates with  the  greatest  American,  he  was  never  driven  into  a  corner.  His  views 
on  slavery  were  wrong,  but  there  was  no  concealment  about  them.  He  was 
always  outspoken,  and  it  is  an  unwarrantable  and  an  outrageous  imputation 
against  him  to  say  that  he  was  forced  to  take  a  position  through  being  driven 
into  a  corner."  However,  the  Bloomington  speech  by  Douglas  received  little  at- 
tention, while  the  Freeport  debates  were  read  and  discussed  all  over  the  nation, 
and  the  wide  publicity  of  that  idea  expressed  in  the  answer  by  Douglas  made  it 
impossible  for  him  to  be  the  candidate  of  the  United  Democracy  for  the  presi- 
dency of  the  United  States  in  1860.  The  division  thus  caused,  made  Lincoln's 
election  both  possible  and  probable. 

Rhodes  quotes  Horace  Greeley  as  authority  for  the  statements  of  the  cost 
of  the  campaign  to  the  two  candidates.  "Lincoln,"  Greeley  said,  in  the  Century 
Magazine,  July,  1891,  p.  375,  "spent  less  than  $1,000,  while  Douglas  spent  no 
less  than  $80,000,  and  incurred  a  debt  which  weighed  him  down  to  the  grave." 

When  the  legislature  met  to  elect  a  senator,  Douglas  had  a  majority  of  eight 
votes.  But  the  Republican  state  ticket  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  almost  four 
thousand  votes.  In  1854  Lincoln  lacked  only  four  votes  of  being  elected  to  the 
senate. 

After  the  contest  of  1858  was  over  Douglas  paid  Lincoln  the  compliment  in 
Washington  by  saying  that  there  was  not  a  man  in  the  senate  he  would  not 
rather  meet  in  debate  than  Lincoln  and  that  included  such  men  as  Seward,  Sum- 
ner  and  Chase. 


208  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


SECOND  JOINT  DEBATE. 

Freeport,  August  27,  1858. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  introduced  by  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner,  and  was  greeted 
with  loud  cheers.  When  the  applause  had  subsided  he  said: 

MR.  LINCOLN'S  SPEECH. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen :  On  Saturday  last,  Judge  Douglas  and  myself  first 
met  in  public  discussion.  He  spoke  one  hour,  I  an  hour  and  a  half,  and  he 
replied  for  half  an  hour.  The  order  is  now  reversed.  I  am  to  speak  an  hour, 
he  an  hour  and  a  half,  and  then  I  am  to  reply  for  half  an  hour.  I  propose  to 
devote  myself  during  the  first  hour  to  the  scope  of  what  was  brought  within  the 
range  of  his  half-hour  speech  at  Ottawa.  Of  course  there  was  brought  within 
the  scope  of1  that  half-hour's  speech  something  of  his  own  opening  speech. 

In  the  course  of  that  opening  argument  Judge  Douglas  proposed  to  me  seven 
distinct  interrogatories.  In  my  speech  of  an  hour  and  a  half,  I  attended  to  some 
other  parts  of  his  speech,  and  incidentally,  as  I  thought,  answered  one  of  the 
interrogatories  then.  I  then  distinctly  intimated  to  him  that  I  would  answer  the 
rest  of  his  interrogatories.  He  made  no  intimation  at  the  time  of  the  proposi- 
tion, nor  did  he  in  his  reply  allude  at  all  to  that  suggestion  of  mine.  I  do  him  no 
injustice  in  saying  that  he  occupied  at  least  half  of  his  reply  in  dealing  with  me 
as  though  I  had  refused  to  answer  his  interrogatories.  I  now  propose  that  I 
will  answer  any  of  the  interrogatories  upon  condition  that  he  will  answer  ques- 
tions from  me  not.  exceeding  the  same  number.  I  give  him  an  opportunity  to 
respond.  The  judge  remains  silent.  I  now  say2  that  I  will  answer  his  interrog- 
atories whether  he  answers  mine  or  not;  (applause)  and  after  that  I  have  done 
so,  I  shall  propound  mine  to  him.  (Applause.) 

(Owing  to  the  press  of  people  against  the  platform  our  reporter  did  not 
reach  the  stand  until  Mr.  Lincoln  had  spoken  to  this  point.  The  previous  re- 
marks were  taken  by  a  gentleman  in  Freeport,  who  has  politely  furnished  them 
to  us.) 

I  have  supposed  myself,  since  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  at 
Bloomington,  in  May,  1856,  bound  as  a  party  man  by  the  platform  of  the  party, 
then  and  since.  If  in  any  interrogatories  which  I  shall  answer  I  go  beyond  the 
scope  of  what  is  within  these  platforms,  it  will  be  perceived  that  no  one  is  re- 
sponsible but  myself. 

Having  said  thus  much,  I  will  take  up  the  judge's  interrogatories  as  I  find 
them  printed  in  the  Chicago  Times,  and  answer  them  seriatim.  In  order  that 
there  may  be  no  mistake  about  it,  I  have  copied  the  interrogatories  in  writing, 
and  also  my  answers  to  it.3  The  first  otic  of  these  interrogatories  is  in  these 
words : — 

Question  I.  "I  desire  to  know  whether  Lincoln  today  stands  as  he  did  in 
1854,  in  favor  of  the  unconditional  repeal  of  the  Fugitive- Slave  law?" 


i  Reads  :  "in1'  for  'of." 

-  Inserts :  "to  you"  after  "say." 

s  Reads :  "them"  for  "it." 


THE  LINCOLN-DOUGLAS  DERATE  MONUMENT 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  209 

Answer.  I  do  not  now,  nor  ever  did,  stand  in  favor  of  the  unconditional 
repeal  of  the  Fugitive-Slave  law.  (Cries  of  "Good!  Good!") 

Q.  2.  "I  desire  him  to  answer  whether  he  stands  pledged  today,  as  he  did 
in  1854,  against  the  admission  of  any  more  slave  states  into  the  Union,  even  if 
the  people  want  them?" 

A.  I  do  not  now,  nor  ever  did,  stand  pledged  against  the  admission  of  any 
more  slave  states  into  the  Union. 

Q.  3.  "I  want  to  know  whether  he  stands  pledged  against  the  admission  of 
a  new  state  into  the  Union  with  such  a  constitution  as  the  people  of  that  state 
may  see  fit  to  make  ?" 

A.  I  do  not  stand  pledged  against  the  admission  of  a  new  state  into  the 
Union,  with  such  a  constitution  as  the  people  of  that  state  may  see  fit  to  make. 
(Cries  of  "Good!  Good!") 

Q.  4.  "I  want  to  know  whether  he  stands  today  pledged  to  the  abolition  of 
slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia?" 

A.  I  do  not  stand  today  pledged  to  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the  District 
of  Columbia. 

Q.  5.  "I  desire  him  to  answer  whether  he  stands  pledged  to  the  prohibition 
of  the  slave  trade  between  the  different  states?" 

A.  I  do  not  stand  pledged  to  the  prohibition  of  the  slave  trade  between  the 
different  states.  , 

Q.  6.  "I  desire  to  know  whether  he  stands  pledged  to  prohibit  slavery  in 
all  the  territories  of  the  United  States,  north  as  well  as  south  of  the  Missouri 
Compromise  Line?" 

A.  I  am  impliedly,  if  not  expressly,  pledged  to  a  belief  in  the  right  and 
duty  of  Congress  to  prohibit  slavery  in  all  the  United  States  territories.  (Great 
applause.) 

Q.  7.  "I  desire  him  to  answer  whether  he  is  opposed  to  the  acquisition  of 
any  new  territory  unless  slavery  is  first  prohibited  therein?" 

A.  I  am  not  generally  opposed  to  honest  acquisition  of  territory ;  and,  in 
any  given  case,  I  would  or  would  not  oppose  such  acquisition,  accordingly  as  I 
might  think  such  acquisition  would  or  would  not  aggravate1  the  slavery  question 
among  ourselves.  (Cries  of  "Good!  Good!") 

Now,  my  friends,  it  will  be  perceived,  upon  an  examination  of  these  questions 
and  answers  that,  so  far,  I  have  only  answered  that  I  was  not  pledged  to  this 
or  the  other.  The  judge  has  not  framed  his  interrogatories  to  ask  me  anything 
more  than  this,  and  I  have  answered  in  strict  accordance  with  the  interrogatories 
and  have  answered  truly,  that  I  am  not  pledged  at  all  upon  any  of  the  points  to 
to  which  I  have  answered.  But  I  am  not  disposed  to  hang  upon  the  exact  form 
of  his  interrogatory.  I  am  rather  disposed  to  take  up  at  least  some  off  these 
questions  and  state  what  I  really  think  upon  them. 

As  to  the  first  one,  in  regard  to  the  Fugitive- Slave  Law,  I  have  never  hesi- 
tated to  say,  and  I  do  not  now  hesitate  to  say,  that  I  think,  under  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States,  the  people  of  the  southern  states  are  entitled  to  a  congres- 
sional fugitive-slave  law.  Having  said  that,  I  have  had  nothing  to  say  in  regard 
to  the  existing  Fugitive- Slave  Law,  further  than  that  I  think  it  should  have  been 
framed  so  as  to  be  free  from  some  of  the  objections  that  pertain  to  it,  without 

i  Reads :  "them"  for  "it" 


210  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

lessening  its  efficiency.  And  inasmuch  as  we  are  not  now  in  an  agitation  in  re- 
gard to  an  altercation  or  modification  of  that  law,  I  would  not  be  the  man  to 
introduce  it  as  a  new  subject  of  agitation  upon  the  general  question  of  slavery. 

In  regard  to  the  other  question,  of  whether  I  am  pledged  to  the  admission  of 
any  more  slave  states  into  the  Union,  I  state  to  you  very  frankly  that  I  would 
be  exceedingly  sorry  ever  to  be  put  in  a  position  of  having  to  pass  upon  that 
question.  I  should  be  exceedingly  glad  to  know  that  there  would  never  be  an- 
other slave  state  admitted  into  the  Union;  (applause)  but  I  must  add  that  if 
slavery  shall  be  kept  out  of  the  territories  during  the  territorial  existence  of  any 
one  given  territory  and  then  the  people  shall,  having  a  fair  chance  and  a  clear 
field,  when  they  come  to  adopt  the  constitution  do  such  an  extraordinary  thing 
as  to  adopt  a  slave  constitution,  uninfluenced  by  the  actual  presence  of  the  insti- 
tution among  them,  I  see  no  alternative,  if  we  own  the  country,  but  to  admit 
them  into  the  Union.  (Applause.) 

The  third  interrogatory  is  answered  by  the  answer  to  the  second,  it  being, 
as  I  conceive,  the  same  as  the  second. 

The  fourth  one  is  in  regard  to  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia. In  relation  to  that,  I  have  my  mind  very  distinctly  made  up.  I  should 
be  exceedingly  glad  to  see  slavery  abolished  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  (Cries 
of  "Good!  Good!")  I  believe  that  Congress  possesses  the  constitutional  power 
to  abolish  it.  Yet  as  a  member  of  Congress  I  should  not,  with  my  present  views, 
be  in  favor  of  endeavoring  to  abolish  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  unless 
it  would  be  upon  these  conditions :  First,  that  the  abolition  should  be  gradual , 
second,  that  it  should  be  on  a  vote  of  the  majority  of  qualified  voters  in  the 
district ;  and  third,  that  compensation  should  be  made  to  unwilling  owners.  With 
these  three  conditions,  I  confess  I  would  be  exceedingly  glad  to  see  Congress 
abolish  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and,  in  the  language  of  Henry  Clay, 
"sweep  from  our  capital  that  foul  blot  upon  our  nation."  (Loud  applause.) 

In  regard  to  the  fifth  interrogatory,  I  must  say  here,  that  as  to  the  question 
of  the  abolition  of  the  slave  trade  between  the  different  states,  I  can  truly  an- 
swer, as  I  have,  that  I  am  pledged  to  nothing  about)  it.  It  is  a  subject  to  which 
I  have  not  given  that  mature  consideration  that  would  make  me  feel  authorized 
to  state  a  position  so  as  to  hold  myself  entirely  bound  by  it.  In  other  words,  that 
question  has  never  been  prominently  enough  before  me  to  induce  me  to  investi- 
gate whether  we  really  have  the  constitutional  power  to  do  it.  I  could  investi- 
gate it  if  I  had  sufficient  time  to  bring  myself  to  a  conclusion  upon  that  subject; 
but  I  have  not  done  so,  and  I  say  so  frankly  to  you  here,  and  to  Judge  Douglas. 
I  must  say,  however,  that  if  I  should  be  of  opinion  that  Congress  does  pos- 
sess the  constitutional  power  to  abolish  the  slave-trade1  among  the  different 
states,  I  should  still  not  be  in  favor  of  the  exercise  of  that  power  unless 
upon  some  conservative  principle  as  I  conceive  it,  akin  to  what  I  have  said 
in  relation  to  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

My  answer  as  to  whether  I  desire  that  slavery  should  be  prohibited  in  all 
the  territories  of  the  United  States,  is  full  and  explicit  within  itself,  and  cannot 
be  made  clearer  by  any  comments  of  mine.  So  I  suppose  in  regard  to  the  ques- 
tion whether  I  am  opposed  to  the  acquisition  of  any  more  territory  unless  slavery 

i  Reads :  "slavery"  for  "the  slave  trade." 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  211 

is  first  prohibited  therein,  my  answer  is  such  that  I  could  add  nothing  by  way 
of  illustration,  or  making  myself  better  understood,  than  the  answer  which  I 
have  placed  in  writing. 

Now  in  all  this  the  judge  has  me,  and  he  has  me  on  the  record.  I  suppose 
he  had  flattered  himself  that  I  was  really  entertaining  one  set  of  opinions  for 
one  place,  and  another  set  for  another  place;  that  I  was  afarid  to  say  at  one 
place  what  I  uttered  at  another.  What  I  am  saying  here  I  suppose  I  say  to  a 
vast  audience  as  strongly  tending  to  abolitionism  as  any  audience  in  the  State 
of  Illinois,  and  I  believe  I  am  saying  that  which,  if  it  would  be  offensive2  to  any 
persons  and  render  them  enemies  to  myself,  would  be  offensive  to  persons  in 
this  audience. 

I  now  proceed  to  propound  to  the  judge  the  interrogatories,  so  far  as  I  have 
framed  them.  I  will  bring  forward  a  new  installment  when  I  get  them  ready. 
(Laughter.)  I  will  bring  them  forward  now,  only  reaching  to  number  fcur. 

The  first  one  is : — 

Question  I.  If  the  people  of  Kansas  shall,  by  means  entirely  unobjection- 
able in  all  other  respects,  adopt  a  state  constitution  and  ask  admission  into  the 
Union  under  it,  before  they  have  the  requisite  number  of  inhabitants  according 
to  the  English  bill, — some  ninety-three  thousand,— will  you  vote  to  admit  them? 
(Applause). 

Q.  2.  Can  the  people  of  a  United  States  Territory  in  any  lawful  way, 
against  the  wish  of  any  citizen  of  the  United  States,  exclude  slavery  from  its 
limits  prior  to  the  formation  of  a  State  constitution  ?  ( Renewed  applause. ) 

Q.  3.  If  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  shall  decree  that  states 
cannot  exclude  slavery  from  their  limits,  are  you  in  favor  of  acquiescing  in, 
adopting  and  following  such  decision  as  a  rule  of  political  action?  (Loud 
applause. ) 

Q.  4.  Are  you  in  favor  of  acquiring  additional  territory,  in  disregard  of 
how  such  acquisition  may  affect  the  nation  on  the  slavery  question?  (Cries  of 
"Good!  Good!") 

As  introductory  to  these  interrogatories  which  Judge  Douglas  propounded  to 
me  at  Ottawa,  he  read  a  set  of  resolutions  which  he  said  Judge  Trumbull  and 
myself  had  participated  in  adopting,  in  the  first  Republican  State  Convention, 
held  at  Springfield  in  October,  1854.  He  insisted  that  I  and  Judge  Trumbull, 
and  perhaps  the  entire  Republican  party,  were  responsible  for  the  doctrines  con- 
tained in  the  set  of  resolutions  which  he  read,  and  I  understand  that  it  was  from 
that  set  of  resolutions  that  he  deduced  the  interrogatories  which  he  propounded 
to  me,  using  these  resolutions  as  a  sort  of  authority  for  propounding  those 
questions  to  me.  Now,  I  say  here  to-day  that  I  do  not  answer  his  interrogatories 
because  of  their  springing  at  all  from  that  set  of  resolutions  which  he  read.  I 
answered  them  because  Judge  Douglas  thought  fit  to  ask  them.  (Applause.)  I 
do  not  now,  nor  never  did,  recognize  any  responsibility  upon  myself  in  that  set 
of  resolutions.  When  I  replied  to  him  on  that  occasion.  I  assured  him  that  I 
never  had  anything  to  do  with  them.  I  repeat  here  to-day  that  I  never  in  any 
possible  form  had  anything  to  do  with  that  set  of  resolutions. 


-  Reads :  "affirmed"  for  "offensive." 


212  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

It  turns  out,  I  believe,  that  those  resolutions  were  never  passed  in  any  con- 
vention held  in  Springfield.  (Cheers  and  laughter.)  It  turns  out  that  they  were 
never  passed  at  any  convention  or  any  public  meeting  that  I  had  any  part  in.  I 
believe  it  turns  out,  in  addition  to  all  this,  that  there  was  not,  in  the  fall  of  1854, 
any  convention  holding  a  session  in  Springfield,  calling  itself  a  Republican  State 
Convention ;  yet  it  is  true  there  was  a  convention  or  assemblage  of  men  calling 
themselves  a  convention,  at  Springfield,  that  did  pass  some  resolutions.  But  so 
little  did  I  really  know  of  the  proceedings  of  that  convention,  or  what  set  or  reso- 
lutions they  had  passed,  though  having  a  general  knowledge  that  there  had  been 
such  an  assemblage  of  men  there,  that  when  Judge  Douglass  read  the  resolutions, 
I  really  did  not  know  but  they  had  been  the  resolutions  passed  then  and  there 
I  did  not  question  that  they  were  the  resolutions  adopted.  For  I  could  not 
bring  myself  to  suppose  that  Judge  Douglas  could  say  what  he  did  upon  this 
subject  with  out  knoimng  that  it  was  true.  (Cheers  and  laughter.)  I  contented 
myself,  on  that  occasion,  with  denying,  as  I  truly  could,  all  connection  with  them, 
not  denying  or  affirming  whether  they  were  passed  at  Springfield.  Now,  it 
turns  out  that  he  had  got  hold  of  some  resolutions  passed  at  some  convention  or 
public  meeting  in  Kane  County.  (Renewed  laughter.)  I  wish  to  say  here,  that 
I  don't  conceive  that  in  any  fair  and  just  mind  this  discovery  relieves  me  at  all. 
I  had  just  as  much  to  do  with  the  convention  in  Kane  County  as  that  at  Spring- 
field. I  am  just  as  much  responsible  for  the  resolutions  at  Kane  County  as 
those  at  Springfield, — the  amount  of  the  responsibility  being  exactly  nothing  in 
either  case ;  no  more  than  there  would  be  in  regard  to  a  set  of  resolutions  passed 
in  the  moon.  (Laughter  and  loud  cheers.) 

I  allude  to  this  extraordinary  matter  in  this  canvass  for  some  further  pur- 
pose than  anything  yet  advanced.  Judge  Douglas  did  not  make  his  statement 
upon  that  occasion  as  matters  that  he  believed  to  be  true,  but  he  stated  them 
roundly  as  being  true,  in  such  form  as  to  pledge  his  veracity  for  their  truth. 
When  the  whole  matter  turns  out  as  it  does,  and  when  we  consider  who  Judge 
Douglas  is, — that  he  is  a  distinguished  Senator  of  the  United  States ;  that  he  has 
served  nearly  twelve  years  as  such ;  that  his  character  is  not  at  all  limited  as  an 
ordinary  Senator  of  the  United  States,  but  that  his  name  has  become  of  world- 
wide renown, — it  is  most  extraordinary  that  he  should  so  far  forget  all  the  sug- 
gestions of  justice  to  an  adversary,  or  of  prudence  to  himself,  as  to  venture 
upon  the  assertion  of  that  which  the  slightest  investigation  would  have  shown 
him  to  be  wholly  false.  (Cheers.)  I  can  only  account  for  his  having  done  so 
upon  the  supposition  that  that  evil  genius  which  has  attended  him  through  his 
life,  giving  to  him  an  apparent  astonishing  prosperity,  such  as  to  lead  very  many 
good  men  to  doubt  there  being  any  advantage  in  virtue  over  vice.  (Cheers  and 
laughter.)  I  say  I  can  only  account  for  it  on  the  supposition  that  that  evil  genius 
has  at  last  made  up  its  mind  to  forsake  him.  (Continued  cheers  and  laughter. ) 

And  I  may  add  that  another  extraordinary  feature  of  the  Judge's  conduct 
in  this  canvass — made  more  extraordinary  by  this  incident — is,  that  he  is  in 
the  habit,  in  almost  all  the  speeches  he  makes,  of  charging  falsehood  upon  his 
adversaries,  myself  and  others.  I  now  ask  whether  he  is  able  to  find  in  any- 
thing that  Judge  Trumbull,  for  instance,  has  said,  or  in  anything  that  I  have 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  213 

said,  a  justification  at  all  compared  with  what  we  have,  in  this  instance,  for  that 
sort  of  vulgarity.  (Cries  of  "Good!  Good!") 

I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  charging  as  a  matter  of  belief  on  my  part  that, 
in  the  introduction  of  the  Nebraska  bill  into  Congress,  there  was  a  conspiracy  to 
make  slavery  perpetual  and  national.  I  have  arranged  from  time  to  time  the 
evidence  which  establishes  and  proves  the  truth  of  this  charge.  I  recurred  to 
this  charge  at  Ottawa.  I  shall  not  now  have  time  to  dwell  upon  it  at  very  great 
length ;  but  inasmuch  as  Judge  Douglas,  in  his  reply  of  half  an  hour,  made  some 
points  upon  me  in  relation  to  it,  I  propose  noticing  a  few  of  them. 

The  Judge  insists,  that,  in  the  first  speech  I  made,  in  which  I  very  distinctly 
made  that  charge,  he  thought  for  a  good  while  I  was  in  fun ;  that  I  was  playful ; 
that  I  was  not  sincere  about  it;  and  that  he  only  grew  angry  and  somewhat  ex- 
cited when  he  found  that  I  insisted  upon  it  as  a  matter  of  earnestness.  He  says 
he  characterized  it  as  a  falsehood  as  far  as  I  implicated  his  moral  character  in 
that  transaction.  Well,  I  did  not  know,  till  he  presented  that  view,  that  I  had 
implicated  his  moral  character.  He  is  very  much  in  the  habit,  when  he  argues 
me  up  into  a  position  I  never  thought  of  occupying,  of  very  cosily  saying  he  has 
no  doubt  Lincoln  is  "conscientious"  in  saying  so.  He  should  remember  that  I 
did  not  know  but  what  he  was  ALTOGETHER  "CONSCIENTIOUS"  in  the 
matter.  (Great  laughter.)  I  can  conceive  it  was  possible  for  men  to  conspire 
to  do  a  good  thing,  and  I  really  find  nothing  in  Judge  Douglas'  course  or  argu- 
ments that  is  contrary  to,  or  inconsistent  with,  his  belief  of  a  conspiracy  to 
nationalize  and  spread  slavery  as  being  a  good  and  blessed  thing;  (continued 
laughter)  and  so  I  hope  he  will  understand  that  I  do  not  at  all  question  but  that 
in  all  this  matter  he  is  entirely  "conscientious."  (More  laughter  and  cheers.) 

But  to  draw  your  attention  to  one  of  the  points  I  made  in  this  case,  beginning 
at  the  beginning.  When  the  Nebraska  bill  was  introduced,  or  a  short  time  after- 
ward, by  an  amendment,  I  believe,  it  was  provided  that  it  must  be  considered 
"the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  this  act  not  to  legislate  slavery  into  any  state  or 
territory,  or  to  exclude  it  therefrom,  but  to  leave  the  people  thereof  perfectly 
free  to  form  and  regulate  their  own  domestic  institutions  in  their  own  way,  sub- 
ject only  to  the  constitution  of  the  United  States."  I  have  called  his  attention 
to  the  fact  that  when  he  and  some  others  began  arguing  that  they  were  giving 
an  increased  degree  of  liberty  to  the  people  of  the  territories  over  and  above 
what  they  formerly  had  on  the  question  of  slavery,  a  question  was  raised  whether 
the  law  was  enacted  to  give  such  unconditional  liberty,  to  the  people ;  and  to 
test  the  sincerity  of  this  mode  of  argument,  Mr.  Chase,  of  Ohio,  introduced  an 
amendment  in  which  he  made  the  law — if  the  amendment  were  adopted — ex- 
pressly declare  that  the  people  of  the  territory  should  have  the  power  to  exclude 
slavery  if  they  saw  fit. 

I  have  asked  attention  also  to  the  fact  that  Judge  Douglas  and  those  who 
acted  with  him  voted  that  amendment  down,  notwithstanding  it  expressed  ex- 
actly the  thing  they  said  was  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  the  law.  I  have 
called  attention  to  the  fact  that  in  subsequent  times  a  decision  of  the  Supreme 
Court  has  been  made,  in  which  it  has  been  declared  that  a  territorial  legislature 
has  no  constitutional  right  to  exclude  slavery.  And  I  have  argued  and  said  that 
for  men  who  did  intend  that  the  people  of  the  territory  should  have  the  right  to 


214  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

exclude  slavery  absolutely  and  unconditionally,  the  voting  down  of  Chase's 
amendment  is  wholly  inexplicable.  It  is  a  puzzle,  a  riddle.  But  I  have  said  that 
with  men  who  did  look  forward  to  such  a  decision,  or  who  had  it  in  contempla- 
tion that  such  a  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court  would  or  might  be  made,  the 
voting  down  of  that  amendment  would  be  perfectly  rational  and  intelligible.  It 
would  keep  Congress  from  coming  in  collision  with  the  decision  when  it  was 
made. 

Anybody  can  conceive  that  if  there  was  an  intention  or  expectation  that  such 
a  decision  was  to  follow,  it  would  not  be  a  very  desirable  party  attitude  to  get 
into,  for  the  Supreme  Court — all  or  nearly  all  its  members  belonging  to  the  same 
party — to  decide  one  way,  when  the  party  in  Congress  had  decided  the  other 
way.  Hence  it  would  be  very  rational  for  men  expecting  such  a  decision  to  keep 
the  niche  in  that  law  clear  for  it.  After  pointing  this  out,  I  tell  Judge  Douglas 
that  it  looks  to  me  as  though  here  was  the  reason  why  Chase's  amendment  was 
voted  down.  I  tell  him  that,  'as  he  did  it,  and  knows  why  he  did  it,  if  it  was, 
done  for  a  reason  different  from  this,  he  knows  what  that  reason  was,  and  can 
tell  us  what  it  zvas.  I  tell  him,  also,  it  will  be  vastly  more  satisfactory  to  the 
country  for  him  to  give  some  other  plausible,  intelligible,  reason  why  it  was 
voted  down  than  to  stand  upon  his  dignity  and  call  people  liars.  (Loud  cheers.) 

Well,  on  Saturday  he  did  make  his  answer;  and  what  do  you  think  it  was? 
He  says  if  I  had  only  taken  upon  myself  to  tell  the  whole  truth  about  that 
amendment  of  Chase's  no  explanation  would  have  been  necessary  on  his  part — - 
or  words  to  that  effect.  Now,  I  say  here  that  I  am  quite  unconscious  of  having 
suppressed  anything  material  to  the  case,  and  I  am  very  frank  to  admit  if  there 
is  any  sound  reason  other  than  that  which  appeared  to  one  national,  it  is  quite 
fair  for  him  to  present  it.  What  reason  does  he  propose?  That  when  Chase 
came  forward  with  his  amendment  expressly  authorizing  the  people  to  exclude 
slavery  from  the  limits  of  every  territory,  General  Cass  proposed  to  Chase,  if 
he  (Chase)  would  add  to  his  amendment  that  the  people  should  have  the  power 
to  introduce  or  exclude,  they  would  let  it  go.  (That  is  substantially  all  of  his 
reply.)  And  because  Chase  would  not  do  that,  they  voted  his  amendment  down. 
Well,  it  turns  out,  I  believe,  upon  examination,  that  General  Cass  took  some 
part  in  the  little  running  debate  upon  that  amendment,  and  then  ran  away  and 
did  not  vote  on  it  at  all.  (Laughter.)  Is  not  that  the  fact?  So  confident,  as 
1  think,  was  General  Cass,  that  there  was  a  snake  somewhere  about,  he  chose  to 
run  away  from  the  whole  thing.  This  is  an  inference  I  draw  from  the  fact 
that,  though  he  took  part  in  the  debate,  his  name  does  not  appear  in  the  ayes 
and  noes.  But  does  Judge  Douglas's  reply  amount  to  a  satisfactory  answer? 
(Cries  of  "Yes,  Yes,"  and  "No,  No.")  There  is  some  little  difference  of 
opinion  here.  (Laughter.) 

But  I  ask  attention  to  a  few  more  views  bearing  on  the  question  of  whether 
it  amounts  to  a  satisfactory  answer.  The  men  who  were  determined  that  that 
amendment  should  not  get  into  the  bill  and  spoil  the  place  where  the  Dred  Scott 
decision  was  to  come  in,  sought  an  excuse  to  get  rid  of  it  somewhere.  One  of 
these  ways — one  of  these  excuses — was  to  ask  Chase  to  add  to  his  proposed 
amendment  a  provision  that  the  people  might  introduce  slavery  if  they  wanted 
to.  They  very  well  knew  Chase  would  do  no  such  thing,  that  Mr.  Chase  was  one 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  215 

of  the  men  differing  from  them  on  the  broad  principle  of  his  insisting  that  free- 
dom was  -better  than  slavery, — a  man  who  would  not  consent  to  enact  a  law, 
penned  with  his  own  hand,  by  which  he  was  made  to  recognize  slavery  on  the 
one  hand  and  liberty  on  the  other,  as  precisely  equal;  and  when  they  insisted  on 
his  doing  this,  they  very  well  knew  they  insisted  on  that  which  he  would  not  for 
a  moment  think  of  doing,  and  that  they  were  only  bluffing  him.  I  believe  (I 
have  not,  since  he  made  his  answer,  had  a  chance  to  examine  the  journals  or 
Congressional  Globe  and  therefore  speak  from  memory)  I  believe  the  state  of  the 
bill  at  that  time,  according  to  parliamentary  rules,  was  such  that  no  member  could 
propose  an  additional  amendment  to  Chase's  amendment.  I  rather  think  this  is 
the  truth, — the  Judge  shakes  his  head.  Very  well.  I  would  like  to  know,  then, 
if  they  wanted  Close's  amendment  fixed  over,  why  somebody  else  could  not  have 
offered  to  do  it?  If  they  wanted  it  amended,  why  did  they  not  offer  the  amend- 
ment? Why  did  they  stand  there  taunting  and  quibbling  at  Chase?  (Laughter.) 
Why  did  they  not  put  it  in  themselves? 

But  to  put  it  on  the  other  ground :  Suppose  that  there  was  such  an  amend- 
ment offered,  and  Chase's  was  an  amendment  to  an  amendment;  until  one  is 
disposed  of,  by  parliamentary  law  you  cannot  pile  another  on.  Then  all  these 
gentlemen  had  to  do  was  to  vote  Chase's  on,  and  then,  in  the  amended  form  in 
which  the  whole  stood,  add  their  own  amendment  to  it,  if  they  wanted  to  put  it 
in  that  shape.  This  was  all  they  were  obliged  to  do,  and  the  ayes  and  noes 
show  that  there  were  thirty-six  who  voted  it  down,  against  ten  who  voted  in 
favor  of  it.  The  thirty-six  held  entire  sway  and  control.  They  could  in  some 
form  or  other  have  put  that  bill  in  the  exact  shape  they  wanted.  If  there  was  a 
rule  preventing  their  amending  it  at  the  time,  they  could  pass  that,  and  then, 
Chase's  amendment  being  merged,  put  it  in  the  shape  they  wanted.  They  did 
not  choose  to  do  so,  but  they  went  into  a  quibble  with  Chase  to  get  him  to  add 
what  they  knew  he  would  not  add,  and  because  he  would  not,  they  stand  upon 
that  flimsy  pretext  for  voting  down  what  they  argued  was  the  meaning  and  in- 
tent of  their  own  bill.  They  left  room  thereby  for  this  Dred  Scott  decision, 
which  goes  very  far  to  make  slavery  national  throughtuot  the  United  States. 

I  pass  one  or  two  points  I  have,  because  my  time  will  very  soon  expire;  but 
I  must  be  allowed  to  say  that  Judge  Douglas  recurs  again  as  he  did  upon  one 
or  two  other  occasions,  to  the  enormity  of  Lincoln, — an  insignificant  individual 
like  Lincoln — upon  his  ipse  dixit  charging  a  conspiracy  upon  a  large  number  of 
members  of  Congress,  the  Supreme  Court  and  two  presidents,  to  nationalize 
slavery.  I  want  to  say  that,  in  the  first  place,  I  have  made  no  charge  of  this  sort 
upon  my  ipse  dixit.  I  have  only  arrayed  the  evidence  tending  to  prove  it,  and 
presented  it  to  the  understanding  of  others,  saying  what  I  think  it  proves,  but 
giving  you  the  means  of  judging  whether  it  proves  it  or  not.  This  is  precisely 
what  I  have  done.  I  have  not  placed  it  upon  my  ipse  dixit  at  all. 

On  this  occasion,  I  wish  to  recall  his  attention  to  a  piece  of  evidence  which 
I  brought  forward  at  Ottawa  on  Saturday,  showing  that  he  had  made  substan- 
tially the  same  charge  against  substantially  same  persons,  excluding  his  dear  self 
from  the  category.  I  ask  him  to  give  some  attention  to  the  evidence  which  I 
brought  forward  that  he  himself  had  discovered  a  "fatal  blow  being  struck" 
against  the  right  of  the  people  to  exclude  slavery  from  their  limits,  which  fatal 


216  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

blow  he  assumed  as  in  evidence  in  an  article  in  the  Washington  Union,  pub- 
lished "by  authority."  I  ask  by  whose  authority?  He  discovers  a  similar  or 
identical  provision  in  the  Lecompton  constitution.  Made  by  whom?  The 
f ramers  of  that  constitution.  Advocated  by  whom  ?  By  all  the  members  of  the 
party  in  the  nation,  who  advocated  the  introduction  of  Kansas  into  the  Union 
under  the  Lecompton  constitution. 

I  have  asked  his  attention  to  the  evidence  that  he  arrayed  to  prove  that 
such  a  fatal  blow  was  being  struck,  and  to  the  facts  which  he  brought  forward  in 
support  of  that  charge, — being  identical  with  the  one  which  he  thinks  so  vil- 
lainous1 in  me.  He  pointed  it,  not  at  a  newspaper  editor  merely,  but  at  the 
president  and  his  cabinet  and  the  members  of  Congress  advocating  the  Lecomp- 
ton constitution  and  those  framing  that  instrument.  I  must  again  be  permitted 
to  remind  him  that  although  my  ipse  dixit  may  not  be  as  great  as  his,  yet  it  some- 
what reduces  the  force  of  his  calling  my  attention  to  the  enormity  of  my  making 
a  like  charge  against  him.  (Loud  applause.) 

Go  on,  Judge  Douglas. 

MR.  DOUGLAS'S  REPLY. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen:  The  silence  with  which  you  have  listened  to  Mr. 
Lincoln  during  his  hour  is  creditable  to  this  vast  audience,  composed  of  men  of 
various  political  parties.  Nothing  is  more  honorable  to  any  large  mass  of  peo- 
ple assembled  for  the  purpose  of  a  fair  discussion  than  that  kind  and  respectful 
attention  that  is  yielded,  not  only  to  your  political  friends,  but  to  those  who  are 
opposed  to  you  in  politics. 

I  am  glad  that  at  last  I  have  brought  Mr.  Lincoln  to  the  conclusion  that  he 
had  better  define  his  position  on  certain  political  questions  to  which  I  called  his 
attention  at  Ottawa.  He  there  showed  no  disposition,  no  inclination,  to  answer 
them.  I  did  not  present  idle  questions  for  him  to  answer,  merely  for  my  grati- 
fication. I  laid  the  foundation  for  those  interrogatories  by  showing  that  they 
constituted  the  platform  of  the  party  whose  nominee  he  is  for  the  senate.  I 
did  not  presume  that  I  had  the  right  to  chatechise  him  as  I  saw  proper,  unless 
I  showed  that  his  party,  or  a  majority  of  it,  stood  upon  the  platform 
and  were  in  favor  of  the  proposition,  upon  which  my  questions  were  based. 
I  desired  simply  to  know,  inasmuch  as  he  had  been  nominated  as  the  first, 
last,  and  only  choice  of  his  party,  whether  he  concurred  in  the  platform 
which  that  party  had  adopted  for  its  government.  In  a  few  moments  I 
will  proceed  to  review  the  answers  which  he  has  given  to  these  interrogatories ; 
but,  in  order  to  relieve  his  anxiety,  I  will  first  respond  to  these2  which  he  has 
presented  to  me.  Mark  you,  he  has  not  presented  interrogatories  which  have 
ever  received  the  sanction  of  the  party  with  which  I  am  acting,  and  hence  he 
has  no  other  foundation  for  them  than  his  own  curiosity.  ("That's  a  fact.") 

First,  he  desired  to  know  if  the  people  of  Kansas  shall  form  a  constitution 
by  means  entirely  proper  and  objectionable,  and  ask  admission  into  the  Union  as 
a  state,  before  they  have  the  requisite  population  for  a  member  of  Congress, 

1  Reads :  "Villainous." 

2  Reads  :  "those"  for  "these." 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  217 

whether  I  will  vote  for  that  admission.  Well,  now,  I  regret  exceedingly  that  he 
did  not  answer  that  interrogatory  himself  before  he  put  it  to  me,  in  order  that 
we  might  understand,  and  not  be  left  to  infer,  on  which  side  he  is.  ("Good, 
good.")  Mr.  Trumbull,  during  the  last  session  of  Congress,  voted  from  the 
beginning  to  the  end  against  the  admission  of  Oregon,  although  a  free  state, 
because  she  had  not  the  requisite  population  for  a  member  of  Congress.  ("That's 
it.")  Mr.  Trumbull  would  not  consent,  under  any  circumstances,  to  let  a 
state,  free  or  slave,  come  into  the  Union  until  it  had  the  requisite  population. 
As  Mr.  Trumbull  is  in  the  field,  fighting  for  Mr.  Lincoln,  I  would  like  to  have 
Mr.  Lincoln  answer  his  own  question,  and  tell  me  whether  he  is  fighting  Trum- 
bull on  that  issue  or  not.  ("Good,  put  it  to  him,"  and  cheers.) 

But  I  will  answer  his  question.  In  reference  to  Kansas,  it  is  my  opinion 
that  as  she  has  population  enough  to  constitute  a  slave  state,  she  has  people 
enough  for  a  free  state.  (Cheers.)  I  will  not  make  Kansas  an  exceptional  case 
to  the  other  states  of  the  Union.  ("Sound,"  and  "Hear,  hear.")  I  hold  it 
to  be  a  sound  rule,  of  universal  application,  to  require  a  territory  to  contain  the 
requisite  population  for  a  member  of  Congress  before  it  is  admitted  as  a  state 
into  the  Union.  I  made  that  proposition  in  the  senate  in  1856,  and  I  renewed 
it  during  the  last  session,  in  a  bill  providing  that  no  territory  of  the  United 
States  should  form  a  constitution  and  apply  for  admission  until  it  had  the  requi- 
site population.  On  another  occasion  I  proposed  that  neither  Kansas  nor1  any 
other  territory  should  be  admitted  until  it  had  the  requisite  population.  Congress 
did  not  adopt  any  of  my  propositions  containing  this  general  rule,  but  did  make 
an  exception  of  Kansas.  I  will  stand  by  that  exception.  (Cheers.)  Either 
Kansas  must  come  in  as  a  free  state,  with  whatever  population  she  may  have, 
or  the  rule  must  be  applied  to  all  the  other  territories  alike.  (Cheers.)  I 
therefore  answer  at  once,  that,  it  having  been  decided  that  Kansas  has  people 
enough  for  a  slave  state,  I  hold  that  she  has  enough  for  a  free  state.  ("Good," 
and  applause.) 

I  hope  Mr.  Lincoln  is  satisfied  with  my  answer;  ("He  ought  to  be/'  and 
cheers.)  and  now  I  would  like  to  get  his  answer  to  his  own  interrogatory — 
whether  or  not  he  will  vote  to  admit  Kansas  before  she  has  the  requisite  popu- 
lation. ("Hit  him  again.")  I  want  to  know  whether  he  will  vote  to  admit 
Oregon  before  that  territory  has  the  requisite  population.  Mr.  Trumbull  will 
not,  and  the  same  reason  that  commits  Mr.  Trumbull  against  the  admission  of 
Oregon,  commits  him  against  Kansas,  even  if  she  should  apply  for  admission 
as  a  free  state.  ("You've  got  him,"  and  cheers.)  If  there  is  any  sincerity,  any 
truth,  in  the  argument  of  Mr.  Trumbull  in  the  senate  against  the  admission 
of  Oregon  because  she  had  not  ninety-three  thousand,  four  hundred  and  twenty 
people,  although  her  population  was  larger  than  that  of  Kansas,  he  stands 
pledged  against  the  admission  of  both  Oregon  and  Kansas  until  they  have 
ninety-three  thousand,  four  hundred  and  twenty  inhabitants.  I  would  like  Mr. 
Lincoln  to  answer  this  question.  I  would  like  him  to  take  his  own  medicine. 
(Laughter.)  If  he  differs  with  Mr.  Trumbull,  let  him  answer  his  argument 
against  the  admission  of  Oregon,  instead  of  poking  questions  at  me.  ("Right, 
good,  good,"  laughter  and  cheers.) 

i  Reads :  "or"  for  "i:or." 


218  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  next  question  propounded  to  me  by  Mr.  Lincoln  is :  Can  the  people  of, 
a  territory  in  any  lawful  way,  against  the  wishes  of  any  citizen  of  the  United 
States  exclude  slavery  from  their  limits  prior  to  the  formation  of  a  state  con- 
stitution? I  answer  emphatically,  as  Mr.  Lincoln  has  heard  me  answer  a  hun- 
dred times,  from  every  stump  in  Illinois,  that  in  my  opinion  the  people  of  a 
territory  can,  by  lawful  means,  exclude  slavery  from  their  limits  prior  to  the 
formation  of  a  state  constitution.  (Enthusiastic  applause.)  Mr.  Lincoln  knew 
that  I  had  answered  that  question  over  and  over  again.  He  heard  me  argue  the 
Nebraska  Bill  on  that  principle  all  over  the  state  in  1854,  in  1855,  and  in  1856, 
and  he  has  no  excuse  for  pretending  to  be  in  doubt  as  to  my  position  on  that 
question.  It  matters  not  what  way  the  supreme  court  may  hereafter  decide  as 
to  the  abstract  question  whether  slavery  may  or  may  not  go  into  a  territory 
under  the  constitution,  the  people  have  the  lawful  means  to  introduce  it  or  exclude 
it  as  they  please,  for  the  reason  that  slavery  cannot  exist  a  day  or  an  hour  any- 
where, unless  it  is  supported  by  local  police  regulations.  ("Right,  right.")  Those 
police  regulations  can  only  be  established  by  the  local  legislature;  and  if  the  people 
are  opposed  to  slavery,  they  will  elect  representatives  to  that  body  who  will  by 
unfriendly  legislation  effectually  prevent  the  introduction  of  it  into  their  midst. 
If,  on  the  contrary,  they  are  for  it,  their  legislation  will  favor  its  extension. 
Hence,  no  matter  what  the  decision  of  the  supreme  court  may  be  on  that  ab- 
stract question,  still  the  right  of  the  people  to  make  a  slave  territory  or  a  free 
territory  is  perfect  and  complete  under  the  Nebraska  Bill.  I  hope  Mr.  Lin- 
coln deems  my  answer  satisfactory  on  that  point. 

In  this  connection  I  will  notice  the  charge  which  he  has  introduced  in  rela- 
tion to  Mr.  Chase's  amendment.  I  thought  that  I  had  chased  that  amendment 
out  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  brain,  at  Ottawa;  (laughter)  but  it  seems  that  it  still  haunts 
his  imagination,  and  he  is  not  yet  satisfied.  I  had  supposed  that  he  would  be 
ashamed  to  press  that  question  further.  He  is  a  lawyer,  and  has  been  a  member 
of  Congress,  and  has  occupied  his  time  and  amused  you  by  telling  you  about 
parliamentary  proceedings.  He  ought  to  have  known  better  than  to  try  to  palm 
off  his  miserable  impositions  upon  this  intelligent  audience.  ("Good,"  and 
cheers.)  The  Nebraska  Bill  provided  that  the  legislative  power  and  authority 
of  the  said  territory  should  extend  to  all  rightful  subjects  of  legislation  consistent 
with  the  organic  act  and  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  It  did  not 
make  any  exception  as  to  slavery,  but  gave  all  the  power  that  it  was  possible 
for  Congress  to  give,  without  violating  the  constitution  to  the  territorial  legis- 
lature, with  no  exception  or  limitation  on  the  subject  of  slavery  at  all.  The  lan- 
guage of  that  bill  which  I  have  quoted,  gave  full  power  and  the  full  authority 
over  the  subject  of  slavery,  affirmatively  and  negatively,  to  introduce  it  or  ex- 
clude it,  so  far  as  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  would  permit.  What 
more  would  Mr.  Chase  give  by  his  amendment?  Nothing.  He  offered  his 
amendment  for  the  identical  purpose  for  which  Mr.  Lincoln  is  using  it — to  en- 
able demagogues  in  the  country  to  try  and  deceive  the  people.  ("Good,  hit  him 
again,"  and  cheers.) 

(Deacon  Bross  spoke.) 

His  amendment  was  to  this  effect.  It  provided  that  the  legislature  should 
have  the  power  to  exclude  slavery  and  General  Cass  suggested :  "'Why  not 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  219 

give  the  power  to  introduce  as  well  as  exclude?"  The  answer  was:  "They  have 
the  power  already  in  the  bill  to  do  both."  Chase  was  afraid  his  amendment 
would  be  adopted  if  he  put  the  alternative  proposition,  and  so  make  it  fair  both 
ways,  but  would  not  yield.  He  offered  it  for  the  purpose  of  having  it  rejected. 
He  offered  it,  as  he  has  himself  avowed  over  and  over  again,  simply  to  make 
capital  out  of  it  for  the  stump.  He  expected  that  it  would  be  capital  for  small 
politicians  in  the  country,  and  that  they  would  make  an  effort  to  deceive  the 
people  with  it ;  and  he  was  not  mistaken,  for  Lincoln  is  carrying  out  the  plan 
admirably.  ("Good,  good.")  Lincoln  knows  that  the  Nebraska  Bill,  without 
Chase's  amendment,  gave  all  the  power  which  the  constitution  would  permit. 
Could  Congress  confer  any  more?  ("No,  no.")  Could  Congress  go  beyond 
the  constitution  of  the  country  ?  We  gave  all  a  full  grant,  with  no  exception  in 
regard  to  slavery  one  way  or  the  other.  We  left  that  question  as  we  left  all 
others,  to  be  decided  by  the  people  for  themselves,  just  as  they  pleased.  I  will 
not  occupy  my  time  on  this  question.  I  have  argued  it  before,  all  over  Illinois. 
I  have  argued  it  in  this  beautiful  city  of  Freeport ;  I  have  argued  it  in  the  north, 
the  south,  the  east  and  the  west,  avowing  the  same  sentiments  and  the  same 
principles.  I  have  not  been  afraid  to  avow  my  sentiments  up  here  for  fear  I 
would  be  trotted  down  into  Egypt.  (Cheers  and  laughter.) 

The  third  question  which  Mr.  Lincoln  presented  is,  If  the  supreme  court  of 
the  United  States  shall  decide  that  a  state  of  this  Union  cannot  exclude  slavery 
from  its  own  limits  will  I  submit  to  it?  I  am  amazed  that  Lincoln  should  ask 
such  a  question.  ("A  schoolboy  knows  better.")  Yes,  a  schoolboy  knows  bet- 
ter. Mr.  Lincoln's  object  is  to  cast  an  imputation  upon  the  supreme  court.  He 
knows  that  there  never  was  but  one  man  in  America,  claiming  any  degree  of 
intelligence  or  decency,  who  ever  for  a  moment  pretended  such  a  thing.  It  is 
true  that  the  Washington  Union,  in  an  article  published  on  the  i7th  of  last  De- 
cember, did  put  forth  that  doctrine,  and  I  denounced  the  article  on  the  floor  of 
the  senate,  in  a  speech  which  Mr.  Lincoln  now  pretends  was  against  the  presi- 
dent. The  Union  had  claimed  that  slavery  had  a  right  to  go  into  the  free  states, 
and  that  any  provision  in  the  constitution  or  laws  of  the  laws  of  the  free  states 
to  the  contrary  were  null  and  void.  I  denounced  it  in  the  senate,  as  I  said 
before,  and  I  was  the  first  man  who  did.  Lincoln's  friends,  Trumbull,  and 
Seward,  and  Hale,  and  Wilson,  and  the  whole  Black  Republican  side  of  the 
senate,  were  silent.  They  left  it  to  me  to  denounce  it.  (Cheers.) 

And  what  was  the  reply  made  to  me  on  that  occasion?  Mr.  Toombs,  of 
Georgia,  got  up  and  undertook  to  lecture  me  on  the  ground  that  I  ought  not  to 
have  deemed  the  article  worthy  of  notice,  and  ought  not  to  have  replied  to  it; 
that  there  was  not  one  man,  woman  or  child  south  of  the  Potomac,  in  any  slave 
state,  who  did  not  repudiate  any  such  pretension.  Mr.  Lincoln  knows  that 
that  reply  was  made  on  the  spot,  and  yet  now  he  asks  this  question.  He  might 
as  well  ask  me,  Suppose  Mr.  Lincoln  should  steal  a  horse,  would  I  sanction  it. 
(Laugher.)  And  it  would  be  as  genteel  in  me  to  ask  him,  in  the  event  he  stole 
a  horse,  what  ought  to  be  done  with  him.  He  casts  an  imputation  upon  the  su- 
preme court  of  the  United  States,  by  supposing  that  they  would  violate  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States.  I  tell  him  that  such  a  thing  is  not  possible. 
(Cheers.)  It  would  be  an  act  of  moral  treason  that  no  man  on  the  bench  could 


220  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ever  descend  to.  Mr.  Lincoln  himself  would  never  in  his  partisan  feelings  so 
far  forget  what  was  right  as  to  be  guilty  of  such  an  act.  (Good,  good.") 

The  fourth  question  of  Mr.  Lincoln  is,  Are  you  in  favor  of  acquiring  addi- 
tional territory,  in  disregard  as  to  how  such  acquisition  may  affect  the  Union  on 
the  slavery  question  ? J  This  question  is  very  ingeniously  and  cunningly  put. 

(Deacon  Bross  here  spoke,  sotto  voce — the  reporter  understood  him  to 
say,  "Now  we've  got  him/') 

The  Black  Republican  creed  lays  it  down  expressly  that  under  no  circum- 
stances shall  we  acquire  any  more  territory,  unless  slavery  is  first  prohibited  in 
the  country.  I  ask  Mr.  Lincoln  whether  he  is  in  favor  of  that  proposition. 
Are  you  (addressing  Mr.  Lincoln)  opposed  to  the  acquisition  of  any  more  ter- 
ritory, under  any  circumstances,  unless  slavery  is  prohibited  in  it?  That  he 
does  not  like  to  answer.  When  I  ask  him  whether  he  stands  up  to  that  article  in 
the  platform  of  his  party,  he  turns,  Yankee-fashion,  and  without  answering  it, 
asks  me  whether  I  am  in  favor  of  acquiring  territory  without  regard  to  how  it 
may  affect  the  Union  on  the  slavery' question.1  ("Good.")  I  answer  that  when- 
ever it  becomes  necessary,  in  our  growth  and  progress,  to  acquire  more  territory, 
that  I  am  in  favor  of  it,  without  reference  to  the  question  of  slavery ;  and  when 
we  have  acquired  it,  I  will  leave  the  people  free  to  do  as  they  please,  either  to 
make  it  slave  or  free  territory  as  they  prefer.  (Hear  Deacon  Bross  spoke; 
the  reporter  believes  that  he  said,  "That's  bold."  It  was  said  solemnly.)  It 
is  idle  to  tell  me  or  you  that  we  have  territory  enough.  Our  fathers  supposed 
that  we  had  enough  when  our  territory  extended  to  the  Mississippi  River;  but 
a  few  years'  growth  and  expansion  satisfied  them  that  we  needed  more,  and 
the  Louisiana  Territory,  from  the  west  branch  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  British 
possessions,  was  acquired.  Then  we  acquired  Oregon,  then  California  and  New 
Mexico.  We  have  enough  now  for  the  present;  but  this  is  a  young  and  grow- 
ing nation.  It  swarms  as  often  as  a  hive  of  bees;  and  as  new  swarms  are 
turned  out  each  year,  there  must  be  hives  in  which  they  can  gather  and  make 
their  honey.  ("Good.") 

In  less  than  fifteen  years,  if  the  same  progress  that  has  distinguished  this 
country  for  the  last  fifteen  years  continues,  every  foot  of  vacant  land  between 
this  and  the  Pacific  Ocean,  owned  by  the  United  States,  will  be  occupied.  Will 
you  not  continue  to  increase  at  the  end  of  fifteen  years  as  well  as  now?  I  tell 
you,  increase,  and  multiply,  and  expand,  is  the  law  of  this  nation's  existence. 
("Good.")  You  cannot  limit  this  great  republic  by  mere  boundary  lines,  saying, 
"Thus  far  shalt  thou  go,  and  no  farther."  Any  one  of  you  gentlemen  might 
as  well  say  to  a  son  twelve  years  old  that  he  is  big  enough,  and  must  not  grow 
any  larger;  and  in  order  to  prevent  his  growth,  put  a  hoop  around  him  to  keep 
him  to  his  present  size.  What  would  be  the  result  ?  Either  the  hoop  must  burst 
and -be  rent  asunder,  or  the  child  must  die.  So  it  would  be  with  this  great  na- 
tion. With  our  natural  increase,  growing  with  a  rapidity  unknown  in  any  other 
part  of  the  globe,  with  the  tide  of  emigration  that  is  fleeing  from  despotism  in 
the  old  world  to  seek  refuge2  in  our  own,  there  is  a  constant  torrent  pouring 
into  this  country  that  requires  more  land,  more  territory  upon  which  to  settle; 


1  Reads :  "(iwestioiis"  for  "question." 

2  Reads  "Peek  a  refuge." 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  221 

and  just  as  fast  as  our  interests  and  our  destiny  require  additional  territory  in 
the  north,  in  the  south,  or  on  the  islands  of  the  ocean,  I  am  for  it ;  and  when  we 
acquire  it,  will  leave  the  people,  according  to  the  Nebraska  Bill,  free  to  do  as 
they  please  on  the  subject  of  slavery  and  every  other  question.  ("Good,  good;" 
"Hurrah  for  Douglas.") 

I  trust  now  that  Mr.  Lincoln  will  deem  himself  answered  on  his  four  points. 
He  racked  his  brain  so  much  in  devising  these  four  questions  that  he  exhausted 
himself,  and  had  not  strength  enough  to  invent  the  others.  (Laughter.)  As 
soon  as  he  is  able  to  hold  a  council  with  his  advisers,  Lovejoy,  Farnsworth  and 
Fred  Douglass,  he  will  frame  and  propound  others.  ("Good,  good."  Renewed 
laughter,  in  which.  Mr.  Lincoln  feebly  joined,  saying  that  he  hoped  with  their 
aid  to  get  seven  questions,  the  number  asked  him  by  Judge  Douglas,  and  to 
make  conclusions  even.)  You  Black  Republicans  who  say  good,  I  have  no 
doubt  think  that  they  are  all  good  men.  ("White,  white.") 

I  have  reason  to  recollect  that  some  people  in  this  country  think  that  Fred 
Douglas  is  a  very  good  man.  The  last  time  I  came  here  to  make  a  speech,  while 
talking  from  the  stand  to  you,  people  of  Freeport,  as  I  am  doing  today,  I  saw 
a  carriage — and  a  magnificent  one  it  was — drive  up  and  take  a  position  on  the 
outside  of  the  crowd ;  a  beautiful  young  lady  was  sitting  on  the  box-seat,  whilst 
Fred  Douglas  and  her  mother  reclined  inside,  and  the  owner  of  the  carriage 
acted  as  driver.  (Laughter,  cheers,  cries  of  "right,"  "what  have  you  to  say 
against  it,"  etc.)  I  saw  this  in  your  own  town.  ("What  of  it?")  All  I  have 
to  say  of  it  is  this,  that  if  you,  Black  Republicans,  think  that  the  negro  ought 
to  be  on  a  social  equality  with  your  wives  and  daughters,  and  ride  in  a  carriage 
with  your  wife,  whilst  you  drive  the  team,  you  have  a  perfect  right  to  do  so. 
("Good,  good,"  and  cheers,  mingled  with  hooting  and  cries  of  "white,  white.") 

I  am  told  that  one  of  Fred  Douglas'  kinsmen,  another  rich  black  negro  is 
now  traveling  in  this  part  of  the  state,  making  speeches  for  his  friend  Lincoln, 
as  the  champion  of  black  men.  ("White  men,  white  men,"  and  "What  have 
you  to  say  against  it?  "That's  right,  etc).  All  I  have  to  say  on  that  sub- 
ject is,  that  those  of  you  who  believe  that  the  negro  is  your  equal  and  ought 
to  be  on  an  equality  with  you  socially,  politically,  and  legally,  have  a  right  to 
entertain  those  opinions,  and  of  course  will  vote  for  Mr.  Lincoln.  ("Down  with 
the  negro,"  "no,  no,"  etc.) 

I  have  a  word  to  say  on  Mr.  Lincoln's  answer  to  the  interrogatories  con- 
tained in  my  speech  at  Ottawa,  and  which  he  has  pretended  to  reply  to  here 
today.  Mr.  Lincoln  makes  a  great  parade  of  the  fact  that  I  quoted  a  platform 
as  having  been  adopted  by  the  Black  Republican  party  at  Springfield  in  1854, 
which,  it  turns  out,  was  adopted  at  another  place.  Mr.  Lincoln  loses  sight 
of  the  thing  itself  in  his  ecstasies  over  the  mistake  I  made  in  stating  the  place 
where  it  was  done.  He  thinks  that  that  platform  was  not  adopted  on  the  right 
"spot." 

When  I  put  the  direct  question  to  Mr.  Lincoln  to  ascertain  whether  he  now 
stands  pledged  to  that  creed- — to  the  unconditional  repeal  of  the  Fugitive-Slave 
Law,  a  refusal  to  admit  any  more  slave  states  into  the  Union,  even  if  the  people 
want  them,  a  determination  to  apply  the  Wilmot  proviso,  not  only  to  all  the 
territory  we  now  have,  but  all  that  we  may  hereafter  acquire — he  refused  to 


222  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

answer;  and  his  followers  say,  in  excuse,  that  the  resolutions  upon  which  I 
based  my  interrogatories  were  not  adopted  at  the  "right  spot."  (Laughter  and 
applause.)  Lincoln  and  his  political  friends  are  great  on  "spots."  (Renewed 
laughter.)  In  Congress,  as  a  representative  of  this  state,  he  declared  the  Mexi- 
can War  to  be  unjust  and  infamous,  and  would  not  support  it,  or  acknowledge 
his  own  country  to  be  right  in  the  contest,  because  he  said  that  American  blood 
was  not  shed  on  American  soil  in  the  "right  spot."  ("Lay  on  to  him.")  And 
now  he  cannot  answer  the  questions  I  put  to  him  at  Ottawa  because  the  reso- 
lutions I  read  were  not  adopted  at  the  "right  spot."  It  may  be  possible  that  I 
was  led  into  an  error  as  to  the  spot  on  which  the  resolutions  I  then  read  were 
proclaimed,  but  I  was  not,  and  am  not,  in  error  as  to  the  fact  of  their  forming 
the  basis  of  the  creed  of  the  Republican  party  when  that  party  was1  first  organ- 
ized. (Cheers.) 

I  will  state  to  you  the  evidence  I  had,  and  upon  which  I  relied  for  my 
statement  that  the  resolutions  in  question  were  adopted  at  Springfield  on  the 
5th  of  October,  1854.  Although  I  was  aware  that  such  resolutions  had  been 
passed  in  this  district,  and  nearly  all  the  northern  congressional  districts  and 
county  conventions,  I  had  not  noticed  whether  or  not  they  had  been  adopted 
by  any  state  convention.  In  1856,  a  debate  arose  in  Congress  between  Major 
Thomas  L.  Harris,  of  the  Springfield  District,  and  Mr.  Norton,  of  the  Joliet 
District,  on  political  matters  connected  with  our  state,  in  the  course  of  which 
Major  Harris  quoted  those  resolutions  as  having  been  passed  by  the  first  Re- 
publican state  convention  that  ever  assembled  in  Illinois.  I  knew  that  Major 
Harris  was  remarkable  for  his  accuracy,  that  he  was  a  very  conscientious  and 
sincere  man,  and  I  also  noticed  that  Norton  did  not  question  the  accuracy  of 
this  statement.  I  therefore  took  it  for  granted  that  it  was  so;  and  the  other 
day  when  I  concluded  to  use  the  resolutions  at  Ottawa,  I  wrote  to  Charles  L. 
Lanphier,  editor  of  the  State  Register,  at  Springfield,  calling  his  attention  to 
them,  telling  him  that  I  had  been  informed  that  Major  Harris  was  lying  sick 
at  Springfield,  and  desiring  him  to  call  upon  him  and  ascertain  all  the  facts  con- 
cerning the  resolutions,  the  time  and  place  where  they  were  adopted  In  reply, 
Mr.  Lanphier  sent  me  two  copies  of  his  paper,  which  I  have  here.  The  first 
is  a  copy  of  the  State  Register,  published  at  Springfield,  Mr.  Lincoln's  own 
town,  on  the  i6th  of  October,  1854,  only  eleven  days  after  the  adjournment 
of  the  convention,  from  which  I  desire  to  read  the  following: 

The  material  of  this  was  gathered  from  a  variety  of  sources,  including  the 
files  of  the  Freeport  Journal,  the  Woodburn's  Orations ;  the  Illinois  Historical 
Society's  Volume  by  Sparks  and  Rhodes'  History  of  the  United  States. 

"During  the  late  discussion  in  this  city,  Lincoln  made  a  speech,  to  which 
Judge  Douglas  replied.  In  Lincoln's  speech  he  took  the  broad  ground  that,  ac- 
cording to  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  the  whites  and  blacks  are  equal. 
From  this  he  drew  the  conclusion,  which  he  several  times  repeated,  that  the 
white  man  had  no  right  to  pass  laws  for  the  government  of  the  black  man  with- 
out the  nigger's  consent.  This  speech  of  Lincoln's  was  heard  and  applauded  by 
all  the  Abolitionists  assembled  in  Springfield.  So  soon  as  Mr.  Lincoln  was 
done  speaking,  Mr.  Codding  arose,  and  requested  all  the  delegates  to  the  Black 
Republican  Convention  to  withdraw  into  the  senate  chamber.  They  did  so;  and 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  223 

after  long  deliberation,  they  laid  down  the  following  Abolition  platform  on 
which  they  stood.  We  call  the  particular  attention  of  all  our  readers  to  it." 

Then  follows  the  identical  platform,  word  for  word,  which  I  read  at  Ottawa. 
(Cheers.)  Now,  that  was  published  in  Mr.  Lincoln's  own  town,  eleven  days 
after  the  convention  was  held,  and  has  remained  on  record  up  to  this  day 
never  contradicted. 

When  I  quoted  the  resolutions  at  Ottawa  and  questioned  Mr.  Lincoln  in  re- 
lation to  them,  he  said  that  his  name  was  on  the  committee  that  reported  them, 
but  he  did  not  serve,  nor  did  he  think  he  served,  because  he  was,  or  thought  he 
was,  in  Tazewell  County  at  the  time  the  convention  was  in  session.  He  did  not 
deny  that  the  resolutions  were  passed  by  the  Springfield  Convention.  He  did 
not  know  better,  and  evidently  thought  that  they  were;  but  afterwards  his 
friends  declared  that  they  had  discovered  that  they  varied  in  some  respects 
from  the  resolutions  passed  by  the  convention.  I  have  shown  you  that  I  had 
good  evidence  for  believing  that  the  resolutions  had  been  passed  at  Springfield. 
Mr.  Lincoln  ought  to  have  known  better;  but  not  a  word  is  said  about  his 
ignorance  on  the  subject,  whilst  I,  notwithstanding  the  circumstances,  am  ac- 
cused of  forgery. 

Now,  I  will  show  you  that  if  I  have  made  a  mistake  as  to  the  place  where 
these  resolutions  were  adopted — and  when  I  get  down  to  Springfield  I  will  in- 
vestigate the  matter,  and  see  whether  or  not  I  have — that  the  principles  they 
enunciate  were  adopted  as  the  Black  Republican  platform,  ("White,  white.") 
in  the  various  counties  and  congressional  districts  throughout  the  north  end 
of  the  state  in  1854.  This  platform  was  adopted  in  nearly  every  county  that 
gave  a  Black  Republican  majority  for  the  Legislature  in  that  year,  and  here 
is  a  man  (pointing  to  Mr.  Denio,  who  sat  on  the  stand  near  Deacon  Bross) 
who  knows  as  well  as  any  living  man  that  it  was  the  creed  of  the  Black  Re- 
publican party  at  that  time.  I  would  be  willing  to  call  Denio  as  a  witness,  or 
any  other  honest  man  belonging  to  that  party.  I  will  now  read  the  resolution 
adopted  at  the  Rockford  Convention  on  the  3Oth  of  August,  1854,  which  nomi- 
nated Washburne  for  Congress.  You  elected  him  on  the  following  platform : 

"Resolved,  That  the  continued  and  increasing  aggressions  of  slavery  in  our 
country  are  destructive  of  the  best  rights  of  .a  free  people,  and  that  such  ag- 
gressions cannot  be  successfully  resisted  without  the  united  political  action  of 
all  good  men. 

"Resolved,  That  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  hold  in  their  hands  peace- 
ful, constitutional,  and  efficient  remedy  against  the  encroachments  of  the  slave 
power — the  ballot-box ;  and  if  that  remedy  is  boldly  and  wisely  applied,  the 
principles  of  liberty  and  eternal  justice  will  be  established. 

"Resolved,  That  we  accept  this  issue  forced  upon  us  by  the  slave  power, 
and,  in  defense  of  freedom,  will  cooperate  and  be  known  as  Republicans, 
pledged  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  following  purposes: 

"To  bring  the  administration  of  the  government  back  to  the  control  of 
first  principles;  to  restore  Kansas  and  Nebraska  to  the  position  of  free  terri- 
tories ;  to  repeal  and  entirely  abrogate  the  Fugitive-Slave  Law ;  to  restrict  sla- 
very to  those  states  in  which  it  exists ;  to  prohibit  the  admission  of  any  more 
slave  states  into  the  Union ;  to  exclude  slavery  from  all  the  territories  over  which 


224  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

the  general  government  has  exclusive  jurisdiction;  and  to  resist  the  acquisi- 
tion of  any  more  territories,  unless  the  introduction  of  slavery  therein  forever 
shall  have  been  prohibited. 

"Resolved,  That  in  furtherance  of  these  principles  we  will  use  such  condi- 
tional and  lawful  means  as  shall  seem  best  adapted  to  their  accomplishment, 
and  that  we  will  support  no  man  for  office  under  the  general  or  state  govern- 
ment who  is  not  positively  committed  to  the  support  of  these  principles,  and 
whose  personal  character  and  conduct  is  not  a  guarantee  that  he  is  reliable, 
and  shall  abjure  all  party  allegiance  and  ties. 

"Resolved,  That  we  cordially  invite  persons  of  all  former  political  parties 
whatever,  in  favor  of  the  object  expressed  in  the  a'bove  resolutions  to  unite 
with  us  in  carrying  them  into  effect."  (Senator  Douglas  was  frequently  in- 
terrupted in  reading  these  resolutions  by  loud  cries  of  "Good,  good,"  "that's 
the  doctrine,"  and  vociferous  applause.) 

Well,  you  think  that  is  a  very  good  platform,  do  you  not?  ("Yes,  yes, 
all  right,"  and  cheers.)  If  you  do,  if  you  approve  it  now,  and  think  it  is  all 
right,  you  will  not  join  with  those  men  who  say  that  I  libel  you  by  calling  these 
your  principles,  will  you1  ("Good,  good,  hit  him  again,"  and  great  laughter 
and  cheers.)  Now,  Mr.  Lincoln  complains;  Mr.  Lincoln  charges  that  I  did 
you  and  him  injustice  by  saying  that  this  was  the  platform  of  your  party.  (Re- 
newed laughter.)  I  am  told  that  Washburne  made  a  speech  in  Galena  last  night, 
in  which  he  abused  me  awfully  in  bringing  to  light  this  platform,  on  which  he 
was  elected  to  Congress.  He  thought  that  you  had  forgotten  it,  as  he  and  Mr. 
Lincoln  desires  to.  (Laughter.)  He  did  not  deny  but  that  you  had  adopted 
it,  and  that  he  had  subscribed  to  and  was  pledged  by  it,  but  he  did  not  think 
it  was  fair  to  call  it  up  and  remind  the  people  that  it  was  their  platform.  ( Here 
Deacon  Bross  spoke.) 

But  I  am  glad  to  find  that  you  are  more  honest  in  your  abolitionism  than 
your  leaders,  by  avowing  that  it  is  your  platform,  and  right  in  your  opinion. 
(Laughter,  "You  have  them,  good,  good.") 

In  the  adoption  of  that  platform,  you  not  only  declared  that  you  would  re- 
sist the  admission  of  any  more  slave  state,  and  work  for  the  repeal  of  the  Fugi- 
tive-Slave Law,  but  you  pledged  yourselves  not  to  vote  for  any  men  for  state 
or  federal  offices  who  was  not  committed  to  these  principles.  ("Exactly  so, 
exactly  so,"  cheers.)  You  were  thus  committed.  Similar  resolutions  to  those 
were  adopted  in  your  county  convention  here,  and  now  with  your  admissions 
that  they  are  your  platform  and  embody  your  sentiments  now  as  they  did 
then,  what  do  you  think  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  your  candidate  for  the  United  States 
Senate,  who  is  attempting  to  dodge  the  responsibility  of  this  platform,  because 
it  was  not  adopted  in  the  right  spot.  ( Shouts  of  laughter,  "Hurrah  for  Doug- 
las.") I  thought  that  it  was  adopted  in  Springfield,  but  it  turns  out  it  was 
not,  that  it  was  adopted  at  Rockford,  and  in  the  various  counties  which  com- 
prise this  congressional  district.  When  I  get  into  the  next  district,  I  will 
show  that  the  same  platform  was  adopted  there,  and  so  on  through  the  state, 
until  I  nail  the  responsibility  of  it  upon  the  back  of  the  Black  Republican  party 
throughout  the  state.  ("White,  white,"  "Three  cheers  for  Douglas.") 

A  voice. — Couldn't  you  modify,  and  call  it  brown?     (Laughter.) 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  225 

Mr.  Douglas. — Not  a  bit.  I  thought  that  you  were  becoming  a  little  brown 
when  your  members  in  Congress  voted  for  the  Crittenden-Montgomery  bill; 
but  since  you  have  backed  out  from  that  position  and  gone  back  to  Abolition- 
ists, you  are  black,  and  not  brown.  (Shouts  of  laughter,  and  a  voice,  "Can't 
you  ask  him  another  question?) 

Gentlemen,  I  have  shown  you  what  your  platform  was  in  1854.  You  still 
adhere  to  it.  The  same  platform  was  adopted  by  nearly  all  the  counties  where 
the  Black  Republican  party  had  a  majority  in  1854.  I  wish  now  to  call  your 
attention  to  the  action  of  your  representatives  in  the  Legislature  when  they 
assembled  together  at  Springfield.  In  the  first  place,  you  must  remember  that 
this  was  the  organization  of  a  new  party.  It  so  declared  in  the  resolutions 
themselves,  which  say  that  you  are  going  to  dissolve  all  old  party  ties  and  call 
the  new  party  Republican.  The  old  Whig  party  was  to  have  its  throat  cut 
from  ear  to  ear,  and  the  Democratic  party  was  to  be  annihilated  and  blotted 
out  of  existence,  whilst  in  lieu  of  these  parties  the  Black  Republican  party 
was  to  be  organized  on  this  Abolition  platform.  You  know  who  the  chief  lead- 
ers were  in  breaking  up  and  destroying  these  two  great  parties.  Lincoln  on  the 
one  hand  and  Trumbull  on  the  other,  being  disappointed  politicians,  (laughter) 
and  having  retired  or  been  driven  to  obscurity  by  an  outraged  constitutency 
because  o.f  their  political  sins,  formed  a  scheme  to '  abolitionize  the  two  par- 
ties, and  lead  the  old  Line  Whigs  and  old  Line  Democrats  captive,  bound  hand 
and  foot,  into  the  Abolition  camp.  Giddings,  Chase,  Fred  Douglass,  and  Love- 
joy  were  here  to  christen  them  whenever  they  were  brought  in.  (Great  laugh- 
ter.) Lincoln  went  to  work  to  dissolve  the  Old  Line  Whig  party.  Clay  was 
dead ;  and  although  the  sod  was  not  yet  green  on  his  grave,  this  'man  undertook 
to  bring  into  disrepute  those  great  compromise  measures  of  1850,  with  which 
Clay  and  Webster  were  identified. 

Up  to  1854  the  Old  Whig  party  and  the  Democratic  party  had  stood  on  a 
common  platform  so  far  as  this  slavery  question  was  concerned.  You  Whigs 
and  we  Democrats  differed  about  the  bank,  the  tariff,  distribution,  the  specie 
circular,  and  the  sub-treasury,  but  we  agreed  on  this  slavery  question,  and 
the  true  mode  of  preserving  the  peace  and  harmony  of  the  Union.  The  com- 
promise measures  of  1850  were  introduced  by  Clay,  were '  defended  by  Web- 
ster, and  supported  by  Cass,  and  were  approved  by  Fillmore,  and  sanctioned 
by  the  national  men  of  both  parties.  They  constituted  a  common  plank  upon 
which  both  Whigs  and  Democrats  stood.  In  1852  the  Whig  party,  in  its  last 
national  convention  at  Baltimore,  indorsed  and  approved  these  measures  of 
Clay,  and  so  did  the  national  convention  of  the  Democratic  party  held  that 
same  year.  Thus  the  Old  Line  Whigs  and  the  Old  Line  Democrats  stood 
pledged  to  the  great  principle  of  self-government,  which  guarantees  to  the  peo- 
ple of  each  territory  the  right  to  decide  the  slavery  question  for  themselves.  In 
1854,  after  the  death  of  Clay  and  Webster,  Mr.  Lincoln,  on  the  part  of  the 
Whigs,  undertook  to  abolitionize  the  Whig  party  by  dissolving  it,  transfer- 
ring the  members  into  the  Abolition  camp,  and  making  them  train  under  Gid- 
dings, Fred  Douglass,  Lovejoy,  Chase,  Farnsworth,  and  other  Abolition  lead- 
ers. Trumbull  undertook  to  dissolve  the  Democratic  party  by  taking  old  Demo- 
crats into  the  Abolition  camp.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  aided  in  his  efforts  by  many 
leading  Whigs  throughout  the  state,  your  member  of  Congress,  Mr.  Washburne, 


226  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

being  one  of  the  most  active.  (Good  fellow.)  Trumbull  was  aided  by  many 
renegades  from  the  Democratic  party,  among  whom  were  John  Wentworth, 
(laughter)  Tom  Turner,  and  others,  with  whom  you  are  familiar. 

(Mr.  Turner,  who  was  one  of  the  moderators,  here  interposed,  and  said  that 
he  had  drawn  the  resolutions  which  Senator  Douglas  had  read.) 

Mr.  Douglas. — Yes,  and  Turner  says  that  he  drew  these  resolutions.  ("Hur- 
rah for  Turner,"  "Hurrah  for  Douglas.")  That  is  right;  give  Turner  cheers  for 
drawing  the  resolutions  if  you  approve  them.  If  he  drew  those  resolutions,  he 
will  not  deny  that  they  are  the  creed  of  the  Black  Republican  party. 

Mr.  Turner. — They  are  our  creed  exactly.     (Cheers.) 

Mr.  Douglas. — And  yet  Lincoln  denies  that  he  stands  on  them.  ("Good, 
good,"  and  laughter.)  Mr.  Turner  says  that  the  creed  of  the  Black  Republican 
party  is  the  admission  of  no  more  slave  states,  and  yet  Mr.  Lincoln  declares  that 
he  would  not  like  to  be  placed  in  a  position  where  he  would  have  to  vote  for 
them.  All  I  have  to  say  to  frie.nd  Lincoln  is,  that  I  do  not  think  that  there  is 
much  danger  of  his  being  placed  in  such  a  position.  (More  laughter.)  As  Mr. 
Lincoln  would  be  very  sorry  to  be  placed  in  such  an  embarrassing  position  as 
to  be  obliged  to  vote  on  the  admission  of  any  more  slave  states,  I  propose,  out 
of  mere  kindness,  to  relieve  him  from  any  such  necessity.  (Renewed  laughter 
and  cheers.) 

When  the  bargain  began  Lincoln  and  Trumbull  was  completed  for  abolition- 
izing  the  Whig  and  Democratic  parties,  they  "spread"  over  the  state,  Lincoln 
still  pretending  to  be  an  Old  Line  Whig,  in  order  to  "rope  in"  the  Whigs,  and 
Trumbull  pretending  to  be  as  good  a  Democrat  as  he  ever  was,  in  order  to  coax 
the  Democrats  over  into  the  Abolition  ranks.  ("That's  exactly  what  we  want.") 
They  played  the  part  that  "decoy  ducks"  play  down  on  the  Potomac  River.  In 
that  part  of  the  country  they  make  artificial  ducks,  and  put  them  on  the  water 
where  the  wild  ducks  are  to  be  found,  for  the  purpose  of  decoying  them.  Well, 
Lincoln  and  Trumbull  played  the  part  of  these  "decoy  ducks"  and  deceived 
enough  Old  Line  Whigs  and  Old  Line  Democrats  to  elect  a  Black  Republican 
Legislature.  When  that  Legislature  met,  the  first  thing  it  did  was  to  elect  as 
speaker  of  the  House  the  very  man  who  is  now  boasting  that  he  wrote  the 
Abolition  platform  on  which  Lincoln  will  not  stand.  ("Good,  hit  him  again," 
and  cheers.)  I  want  to  know  of  Mr.  Turner  whether  or  not,  when  he  was 
elected  he  was  a  good  embodiment  of  Republican  principles. 

Mr.  Turner. — I  hope  I  was  then,  and  am  now. 

Mr.  Douglas. — He  swears  that  he  hopes  he  was  then,  and  is  now.  He  wrote 
that  Black  Republican  platform,  and  is  satisfied  with  it  now.  ("Hurrah  for 
Turner,"  "Good,"  etc.)  I  admire  and  acknowledge  Turner's  honesty.  Every 
man  of  you  knows  that  what  he  says  about  these  resolutions  being  the  plat- 
form of  the  Black  Republican  party  is  true,  and  you  also  know  that  each  one 
of  these  men  who  are  shuffling  and  trying  to  deny  it  are  only  trying  to  cheat 
the  people  out  of  their  votes  for  the  purpose  of  deceiving  them  still  more  after 
the  election.  ("Good,"  and  cheers.)  I  propose  to  trace  this  thing  a  little 
further,  in  order  that  you  can  see  what  additional  evidence  there  is  to  fasten 
this  revolutionary  platform  upon  the  Black  Republican  party.  When  the  Legis- 
lature assembled  there  was  a  United  States  Senator  to  elect  in  the  place  of 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  227 

General  Shields,  and  before  they  proceeded  to  ballot,  Lovejoy  insisted  on  lay- 
ing down  certain  principles  by  which  to  govern  the  party. 

It  has  been  published  to  the  world  and  satisfactorily  proven  that  there  was, 
at  the  time  the  alliance  was  made  between  Trumbull  and  Lincoln  to  abolitionize 
the  two  parties,  an  agreement  that  Lincoln  should  take  Shields'  place  in  the 
United  States  Senate,  and  Trumbull  should  have  mine  so  soon  as  they  could 
conveniently  get  rid  of  me.  When  Lincoln  was  beaten  for  Shields'  place,  in  a 
manner  I  will  refer  to  in  a  few  minutes,  he  felt  very  sore  and  restive ;  his  friends 
grumbled,  and  some  of  them  came  out  and  charged  that  the  most  infamous 
treachery  had  been  practiced  against  him;  that  the  bargain  was  that  Lincoln 
was  to  have  had  Shields'  place,  and  Trumbull  was  to  have  waited  for  mine,  but 
that  Trumbull,  having  the  control  of  a  few  Abolitionized  Democrats,  he  pre- 
vented them  from  voting  for  Lincoln,  thus  keeping  him  within  a  few  votes  of  an 
election  until  he  succeeded  in  forcing  the  party  to  drop  him  and  elect  Trumbull. 
Well,  Trumbull  having  cheated  Lincoln,  his  friends  made  a  fuss,  and  in  order 
to  keep  them  and  Lincoln  quiet,  the  party  were  obliged  to  come  forward,  in  ad- 
vance, at  the  last  state  election,  and  make  a  pledge  that  they  would  go  for  Lin- 
coln and  nobody  else.  Lincoln  could  not  be  silenced  in  any  other  way. 

Now,  there  are  a  great  many  Black  Republicans  of  you  who  do  not  know  this 
thing  was  done.  ("White,  white,"  and  great  clamor.)  I  wish  to  remind  you 
that  while  Mr.  Lincoln  was  speaking  there  was  not  a  Democrat  vulgar  and 
blackguard  enough  to  interrupt  him.  (Great  applause  and  cries  of,  "Hurrah 
for  Douglas.")  But  I  know  that  the  shoe  is  pinching  you.  I  am  clinching  Lin- 
coln now,  and  you  are  scared  to  death  for  the  result.  (Cheers.)  I  have  seen 
this  thing  before.  I  have  seen  men  make  appointments  for  joint  discussions, 
and  the  moment  their  man  has  been  heard,  try  to  interrupt  and  prevent  a  fair 
hearing  of  the  other  side.  I  have  seen  your  mobs  before,  and  defy  your  wrath. 
(Tremendous  applause.)  My  friends,  do  not  cheer,  for  I  need  my  whole  time. 
The  object  of  the  opposition  is  to  occupy  my  attention  in  order  to  prevent  me 
from  giving  the  whole  evidence  and  nailing  this  double  dealing  on  the  Black 
Republican  party. 

As  I  have  before  said,  Lovejoy  demanded  a  declaration  of  principles  on 
the  part  of  the  Black  Republicans  of  the  Legislature  before  going  into  election 
for  United  States  Senator.  He  offered  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions 
which  I  hold  in  my  hand : 

"Whereas,  Human  slavery  is  a  violation  of  the  principles  of  natural 
and  revealed  right ;  and  whereas  the  fathers  of  the  Revolution,  fully  imbued  with 
the  spirit  of  these  principles,  declared  freedom  to  be  the  inalienable  birthright 
of  all  men ;  and  whereas  the  preamble  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States 
avers  that  that  instrument  was  ordained  to  establish  justice,  and  secure  the 
blessings  of  liberty  to  ourselves  and  our  posterity ;  and  whereas,  in  furtherance 
of  the  above  principles,  slavery  was  forever  prohibited  in  the  old  Northwest 
Territory,  and  more  recently  in  all  that  territory  lying  west  and  north  cf  the 
state  of  Missouri,  by  the  act  of  the  federal  govenment;  and  whereas  the  re- 
peal of  the  prohibition  last  referred  to  was  contrary  to  the  wishes  of 
the  people  of  Illinois,  a  violation  of  an  implied  compact  long  deemed  sa- 
cred by  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  a  wide  departure  from  the  uni- 


228  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

form  action  of  the  general  government  in  relation  to  the  extension  of  slavery; 
therefore, 

"Resolved,  by  the  House  of  Representatives,  the  Senate  concurring  therein, 
That  our  senators  in  Congress  be  instructed,  and  our  representatives  requested 
to  introduce,  if  not  otherwise  introduced,  and  to  vote  for,  a  bill  to  restore  such 
prohibition  to  the  aforesaid  territories,  and  also  to  extend  a  similar  prohibition 
to  all  territory  which  now  belongs  to  the  United  States,  or  which  may  here- 
after come  under  their  jurisdiction. 

"Resolved,  That  our  senators  in  Congress  be  instructed,  and  our  represen- 
tatives requested,  to  vote  against  the  admission  of  any  state  into  the  Union, 
the  Constitution  of  which  does  not  prohibit  slavery,  whether  the  territory  out 
of  which  such  state  may  have  been  formed  shall  have  been  acquired  by  con- 
quest, treaty,  purchase,  or  from  original  territory  of  the  United  States. 

"Resolved,  That  our  senators  in  Congress  be  instructed,  and  our  represen- 
tatives requested  to  introduce  and  vote  for,  a  bill  to  repeal  an  act  entitled  'an 
act  respecting  fugitives  from  justice  and  persons  escaping  from  the  service  of 
their  masters ;'  and,  failing  in  that,  for  such  a  modification  of  it  as  shall  secure 
the  right  of  habeas  corpus  and  trial  by  jury  before  the  regularly  constituted 
authorities  of  the  state,  to  all  persons  claimed  as  owing  service  or  labor." 

(Cries  of  "good,"  "good,"  and  cheers.)  Yes,  you  say  "good,"  "good," 
and  I  have  no  doubt  you  think  so. 

Those  resolutions  were  introduced  by  Mr.  Lovejoy  immediately  preceding 
the  election  of  senator.  They  declared,  first  that  the  Wilmot  Proviso  must  be 
applied  to  all  territory  north  of  36  degrees  30  minutes.  Secondly,  that  it  must 
be  applied  to  all  territory  south  of  36  degrees  30  minutes.  Thirdly,  that  it  must 
be  applied  to  all  territory  now  owned  by  the  United  States;  and  finally,  that 
it  must  be  applied  to  all  territory  hereafter  to  be  acquired  by  the  United  States. 
The  next  resolution  declares  that  no  more  slave  states  shall  be  admitted  into 
this  Union  under  any  circumstances  whatever,  no  matter  whether  they  are 
formed  out  of  territory  now  owned  by  us  or  that  we  may  hereafter  acquire,  by 
treaty,  by  Congress  or  in  any  other  manner  whatever.  (A  voice,  "That  is 
right.")  You  say  that  is  right.  We  will  see  in  a  moment.  The  next  resolu- 
tion demands  the  unconstitutional  repeal  of  the  Fugitive-Slave  Law,  although 
its  unconstitutional  repeal  would  leave  no  provision  for  carrying  out  that  clause 
of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  which  guarantees  the  surrender  of 
fugitives.  If  they  could  not  get  an  unconstitutional  repeal  they  demanded 
that  that  law  should  be  so  modified  as  to  make  it  as  nearly  useless  as  possible. 

Now,  I  want  to  show  you  who  voted  for  these  resolutions.  When  the  vote 
was  taken  on  the  first  resolution  it  was  decided  in  the  affirmative — yeas,  41, 
nays,  32.  You  will  find  that  this  is  a  strict  party  vote,  between  the  Democrats 
on  the  one  hand,  and  the  Black  Republicans  on  the  other.  (Cries  of  "White, 
white,"  and  clamor.)  I  know  your  name  and  always  call  things  by  their  right 
name.  The  point  I  wish  to  call  your  attention  to  is  this :  that  these  resolutions 
were  adopted  on  the  7th  day  of  February,  and  that  on  the  8th  they  went  into 
an  election  for  a  United  States  senator,  and  that  day  every  man  who  voted  for 
these  resolutions,  with  but  two  exceptions,  voted  for  Lincoln  for  the  United 
States  Senate.  (Cries  of  "Good,  good,"  and  cheers.  "Give  us  their  names.") 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  229 

I  will  read  the  names  over  to  you  if  you  want  them,  but  I  believe  your  object 
is  to  occupy  my  time.     (Cries  of  "That  is  it") 

On  the  next  resolution  the  vote  stood — yeas  33,  nays  40;  and  on  the  third 
resolution — yeas  35,  nays  47.  I  wish  to  impress  it  upon  you  that  every  nation 
who  voted  for  those'  resolutions,  with  but  two  exceptions,  voted  on  the  next 
day  for  Lincoln  for  United  States  senator.  Bear  in  mind  that  the  members  who 
thus  voted  for  Lincoln  were  elected  to  the  Legislature  pledged  to  vote  for  no 
man  for  office  under  the  state  or  federal  government  who  was  not  committed 
to  this  Black  Republican  platform.  (Cries  of  "White,  white,"  and  "good  for 
you.")  They  were  all  so  pledged.  Mr.  Turner  who  stands  by  me,  and  who 
then  represented  you,  and  who  says  that  he  wrote  those  resolutions,  voted 
for  Lincoln  when  he  was  pledged  not  to  do  so  unless  Lincoln  was  in  favor  of 
those  resolutions.  I  now  ask  Mr.  Turner  (turning  to  Mr.  Turner),  did  you 
violate  your  pledge  in  voting  for  Mr.  Lincoln,  or  did  he  commit  himself  to  your 
platform  before  you  cast  your  vote  for  him?  (Mr.  Lincoln  here  started  for 
ward  and  grasping  Mr.  Turner  shook  him  nervously  and  said,  "Don't  answer, 
Turner,  you  have  no  right  to  answer.") 

I  could  go  through  the  whole  list  of  names  here,  and  show  you  that  all  the 
Black  Republicans  in  the  Legislature,  ("White,  white.")  who  voted  for  Mr. 
Lincoln,  had  voted  on  the  day  previous  for  these  resolutions.  For  instance, 
here  are  the  names  of  Sargent,  and  Little,  of  Jo  Daviess  and  Carroll ;  Thomas 
J.  Turner  of  Stephenson ;  Lawrence,  of  Boone  and  McHenry ;  Swan,  of  Lake ; 
Pinckney,  of  Ogle  County;  and  Lyman,  of  Winnebago.  Thus  you  see  every 
member  from  your  congressional  district  voted  for  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  they  were 
pledged  not  to  vote  for  him  unless  he  was  committed  to  the  doctrine  of  no  more 
slave  states,  the  prohibition  of  slavery  in  the  territories,  and  the  repeal  of  the 
Fugitive-Slave  Law.  Mr.  Lincoln  tells  you  today  that  he  is  not  pledged  to  any 
such  doctrine.  Either  Mr.  Lincoln  was  then  committed  to  these  propositions, 
or  Mr.  Turner  violated  his  pledges  to  you  when  he  voted  for  him.  Either  Lin- 
coln was  pledged  to  each  one  of  these  propositions,  or  .else  every  Black  Re- 
publican (cries  of  "\Vhite,  white")  representative  from  this  congressional 
district  violated  his  pledge  of  honor  to  his  constituents  by  voting  for  him. 

I  ask  you  which  horn  of  the  dilemma  will  you  take?  Will  you  hold  Lin- 
coln up  to  the  platform  of  his  party,  or  will  you  accuse  every  representative 
you  had  in  the  Legislature  of  violating  his  pledge  of  honor  to  his  constituents? 
(Voices:  "We  go  for  Turner,"  We  go  for  Lincoln,"  "Hurrah  for  Douglas," 
"Hurrah  for  Turner.")  There  is  no  escape  for  you.  Either  Mr.  Lincoln  was 
committed  to  those  propositions,  or  your  members  violated  their  faith.  Take 
either  horn  of  the  dilemma  you  choose.  There  is  no  dodging  the  question ;  I 
want  Lincoln's  answer.  He  says  he  was  not  pledged  to  repeal  the  Fugitive- 
Slave  Law,  that  he  does  not  quite  like  to  do  it;  he  will  not  introduce  a  law 
to  repeal  it,  but  thinks  there  ought  to  be  some  law;  he  does  not  tell  what  it 
ought  to  be;  upon  the  whole  he  is  altogether  undecided,  and  don't  know  what 
to  think  or  do.  That  is  the  substance  of  his  answer  upon  the  repeal  of  the 
Fugitive-Slave  Law.  I  put  the  question  to  him  distinctly,  whether  he  indorsed 
that  part  of  the  Black  Republican  platform  which  calls  for  the  entire  abrogation 
and  repeal  of  the  Fugitive-Slave  Law.  He  answers,  No!  that  he  does  not  in- 


230  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

dorse  that ;  but  he  does  not  tell  what  he  is  for,  or  what  he  will  vote  for.  His 
answer  is,  in  fact,  no  answer  at  all.  Why  cannot  he  speak  out,  and  say  what 
he  is  for,  and  what  he  will  do?  (Cries  of  "That's  right") 

In  regard  to  there  being  no  more  slave  states,  he  is  not  pledged  to  that.  He 
would  not  like,  he  says,  to  be  put  in  a  position  where  he  would  have  to  vote 
one  way  or  another  upon  that  question.  I  pray  you,  do  not  put  him  in  a  posi- 
tion that  would  embarrass  him  so  much.  (Laughter.)  Gentlemen,  if  he  goes 
to  the  Senate,  he  may  be  put  in  that  position,  and  then  which  way  will  he 
vote? 

A  voice. — How  will  you  vote? 

Mr.  Douglas. — I  will  vote  for  the  admission  of  just  such  a  state  as  by 
the  form  of  their  constitution  the  people  show  they  want ;  if  they  want  slavery, 
they  shall  have  it;  if  they  prohibit  slavery,  it  shall  be  prohibited.  They  can 
form  their  institutions  to  please  themselves,  subject  only  to  the  Constitution; 
and  I,  for  one,  stand  ready  to  receive  them  into  the  Union.  ("Three  cheers 
for  Douglas.")  Why  cannot  your  Black  Republican  candiates  talk  out  as 
plain  as  that  when  they  are  questioned?  (Cries  of  "Good,  good.") 

(Here  Deacon  Bross  spoke.) 

I  do  not  want  to  cheat  any  man  out  of  his  vote.  No  man  is  deceived  in 
regard  to  my  principles  if  I  have  the  power  to  express  myself  in  terms  ex- 
plicit enough  to  convey  my  ideas. 

Mr.  Lincoln  made  a  speech  when  he  was  nominated  for  the  United  States 
Senate  which  covers  all  these  Abolition  platforms.  He  there  lays  down  a 
proposition  so  broad  in  its  Abolitionism  as  to  cover  the  whole  ground. 

"In  my  opinion  the  slavery  agitation  will  not  cease  until  -a  crisis  shall  have 
been  reached  and  passed.  'A  house  divided  against  itself  cannot  stand.'  I 
believe  this  government  cannot  endure  permanently  half  slave  and  half  free. 
I  do  not  expect  the  house  to  fall,  but  I  do  expect  it  will  cease  to  be  divided.  It 
will  become  all  one  thing  or  all  the  other.  Either  the  opponents  of  slavery 
will  arrest  the  further  spread  of  it,  and  place  it  where  the  public  mind  shall 
rest  in  the  belief  that  it  is  in  the  course  of  ultimate  extinction,  or  its  advocates 
will  push  it  forward  till  it  shall  become  alike  lawful  in  all  the  states — old  as 
well  as  new,  north  as  well  as  south." 

There  you  find  that  Mr.  Lincoln  lays  down  the  doctrine  that  this  Union  can- 
not endure  divided  as  our  fathers  made  it,  with  free  and  slave  state.  He  says 
they  must  all  become  one  thing,  or  all  the  other;  that  they  must  all  be  free 
or  all  slave,  or  else  the  Union  cannot  continue  to  exist;  it  being  his  opinion 
that  to  admit  any  more  slave  states,  to  continue  to  divide  the  Union  into  free 
and  slave  states  will  dissolve  it.  I  want  to  know  of  Mr.  Lincoln  whether  he 
will  vote  for  the  admission  of  another  slave  state.  (Cries  of  "Bring  him  out.") 

He  tells  you  that  the  Union  cannot  exist  unless  the  states  are  all  free  or  all 
slave;  he  tells  you  that  he  is  opposed  to  making  them  all  slave  and  hence  he  is 
for  making  them  all  free,  in  order  that  the  Union  may  exist;  and  yet  he  will 
not  vote  against  another  slave  state,  knowing  that  the  union  must  be  dissolved  if 
he  votes  for  it.  (Great  laughter.)  I  ask  you  if  that  is  fair  dealing?  The  true 
intent  and  inevitable  conclusion  to  be  drawn  from  his  first  Springfield  speech 
is,  that  he  is  opposed  to  the  admission  of  any  more  slave  states  under  any 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  231 

circumstances.  If  so  opposed,  why  not  say  so?  If  he  believes  this  Union 
cannot  endure  divided  into  free  and  slave  states,  that  they  must  all  become  free 
in  order  to  save  the  Union,  he  is  bound  as  an  honest  man  to  vote  against  any 
more  slave  states.  If  he  believes  it,  he  is  bound  to  do  it.  Show  me  that  it 
is  my  duty  in  order  to  save  the  Union,  to  do  a  particular  act,  and  I  will  do 
it  if  the  Constitution  does  not  prohibit  it.  (Applause.)  I  am  not  for  the  dis- 
solution of  the  Union  under  any  circumstances.  (Renewed  applause.)  I  will 
pursue  no  course  of  conduct  that  will  give  just  cause  for  the  dissolution  of  the 
Union.  The  hope  of  the  friends  of  freedom  throughout  the  world  rests  upon 
the  perpetuity  of  this  Union.  The  down-trodden  and  oppressed  people  who  are 
suffering  under  European  despotism  all  look  with  hope  and  anxiety  to  the  Ameri- 
can Union  as  the  only  resting  place  and  permanent  home  of  freedom  and  self- 
government. 

Mr.  Lincoln  says  that  he  believes  that  this  Union  cannot  continue  to  endure 
with  slave  states  in  it,  and  yet  he  will  not  tell  you  distinctly  whether  he  will 
vote  for  or  against  the  admission  of  any  more  slave  states  but  says  he  would 
not  like  to  be  put  to  the  test.  (Renewed  laughter.)  I  do  not  think  that  the 
people  of  Illinois  desire  a  man  to  represent  them  who  would  not  like  to  be  put 
to  the  test  on  the  performance  of  a  high  constitutional  duty.  (Cries  of  "Good.") 
I  will  retire  in  shame  from  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  when  I  am  not  will- 
ing to  be  put  to  the  test  in  the  performance  of  my  duty.  I  have  been  put  to 
severe  tests.  ("That  is  so.")  I  have  stood  by  my  principles  in  fair  weather  and 
in  foul,  in  the  sunshine  and  in  the  rain.  I  have  defended  the  great  principles  of 
self-government  here  among  you  when  northern  sentiment  ran  in  a  torrent 
against  me,  (A  voice,  "That  is  so.")  and  I  have  defended  that  same  great  prin- 
ciple when  southern  sentiment  came  down  like  an  avalanche  upon  me.  I  was 
not  afraid  of  any  test  they  put  to  me.  I  knew  I  was  right;  I  knew  my  prin- 
ciples were  sound;  I  knew  that  the  people  would  see  in  the  end  that  I  had 
done  right,  and  I  knew  that  the  God  of  heaven  would  smile  upon  me  if  I  was 
faithful  in  the  performance  of  my  duty.  (Cries  of  "Good,"  cheers  and  'laugh- 
ten) 

Mr.  Lincoln  makes  a  charge  of  corruption  against  the  supreme  court  of 
the  United  States  and  two  presidents  of  the  United  States,  and  attempts  to  bol- 
ster it  up  by  saying  that  I  did  the  same  against  the  Washington  Union.  Suppose 
I  did  make  that  charge  of  corruption  against  the  Washington  Union,  when  it 
was  true,  does  that  justify  him  in  making  a  false  charge  against  me  and  others? 
That  is  the  question  I  would  put.  He  says  that  at  the  time  the  Nebraska  Bill 
was  introduced,  and  before  it  was  passed,  there  was  a  conspiracy  between  the 
judges  of  the  supreme  court,  President  Pierce,  President  Buchanan,  and  myself, 
by  that  bill  and  the  decision  of  the  court,  to  break  down  the  barrier  and  estab- 
lish slavery  all  over  the  Union. 

Does  he  not  know  that  that  charge  is  historically  false  as  against  President 
Buchanan?  He  knows  that  Mr.  Buchanan  was  at  that  time  in  England,  repre- 
senting this  country  with  distinguished  ability  at  the  court  of  St.  James,  that 
he  was  there  for  a  long  time  before,  and  did  not  return  for  a  year  or  more 
after.  He  knows  that  to  be  true,  and  that  fact  proves  his  charge  to  be  false 
as  against  Mr.  Buchanan.  (Cheers.)  Then,  again,  I  wish  to  call  his  atten- 


232  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

tion  to  the  fact  that  at  the  time  the  Nebraska  Bill  was  passed,  the  Dred  Scott 
case  was  not  before  the  supreme  court  at  all !  it  was  not  upon  the  docket  of  the 
supreme  court;  it  had  not  been  brought  there;  and  the  judges  in  all  probability 
knew  nothing  of  it.  Thus  the  history  of  the  country  proves  the  charge  to  be 
false  as  against  them. 

As  to  President  Pierce,  his  high  character  as  a  man  of  integrity  and  honor 
is  enough  to  vindicate  him  from  such  a  charge;  (laughter  and  applause)  and 
as  to  myself,  I  pronounce  the  charge  an  infamous  lie,  whenever  and  wherever 
made,  and  by  whomsoever  made.  I  am  willing  that  Mr.  Lincoln  should  go 
and  rake  up  every  public  act  of  mine,  every  measure  I  have  introduced,  report 
I  have  made,  speech  delivered,  and  criticise  them ;  but  when  he  charges  upon  me 
a  corrupt  conspiracy  for  the  purpose  of  perverting  the  institutions  of  the  coun- 
try, I  brand  it  as  it  deserves.  I  say  the  history  of  the  country  proves  it  to  be 
false ;  and  that  it  could  not  have  been  possible  at  the  time. 

But  now  he  tries  to  protect  himself  in  this  charge,  because  I  made  a  charge, 
against  the  Washington  Union.  My  speech  in  the  Senate  against  the  Wash- 
ington Union  was  made  because  it  advocated  a  revolutionary  doctrine,  by  de- 
claring that  the  free  states  had  not  the  right  to  prohibit  slavery  within  their  own 
limits.  Because  I  made  the  charge  against  the  Washington  Union  Mr.  Lincoln 
says  it  was  a  charge  against  Mr.  Buchanan.  Suppose  it  was ;  is  Mr.  Lincoln 
the  peculiar  defender  of  Mr.  Buchanan  ?  Is  he  so  interested  in  the  federal  admin- 
istration, and  so  bound  to  it  that  he  must  jump  to  the  rescue  and  defend  it  from 
every  attack  that  I  may  make  against  it?  (Great  laughter  and  cheers.)  I 
understand  the  whole  thing.  Ihe  Washington  Union,  under  that  most  corrupt 
of  all  men,  Cornelius  Wendell,  is  advocating  Mr.  Lincoln's  claim  to  the  Senate. 
Wendell  was  the  printer  of  the  last  Black  Republican  House  of  Representatives ; 
he  was  a  candidate  before  the  present  Democratic  House,  but  was  ignomini- 
ously  kicked  out;  and  then  he  took  the  money  which  he  had  made  out  of  the 
public  printing  by  means  of  the  Black  Republicans,  bought  the  Washington 
Union,  and  is  now  publishing  it  in  the  name  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  advo- 
cating Mr.  Lincoln's  election  to  the  Senate.  Mr.  Lincoln  therefore  considers  an 
attack  upon  Wendell  and  his  corrupt  gang  as  a  personal  attack  upon  him. 
(Immense  cheering  and  laughter.)  This  only  proves  what  I  have  charged — 
that  there  is  an  alliance  between  Lincoln  and  his  supporters,  and  the  federal 
office-holders  of  this  state,  and  presidential  aspirants  out  of  it,  to  break  me  down 
at  home.  (A  voice — "That  is  impossible,"  and  cheering.) 

Mr.  Lincoln  feels  bound  to  come  in  to  the  rescue  of  the  Washington  Union. 
In  that  speech  which  I  delivered  in  answer  to  the  Washington  Union,  I  made 
it  distinctly  against  the  Union,  and  against  the  Union  alone.  I  did  not  choose 
to  go  beyond  that.  If  I  have  occasion  to  attack  the  President's  conduct.  I  will 
do  it  in  a  language  that  will  not  misunderstood.  When  I  differed  with  the 
President,  I  spoke  out  so  that  you  all  heard  me.  ("That  you  did,"  and  cheers.) 
That  question  passed  away ;  it  resulted  in  the  triumph  of  my  principle,  by  al- 
lowing the  people  to  do  as  they  please ;  and  there  is  an  end  of  the  controversy. 
("Hear,  hear.")  Whenever  the  great  principle  of  self-government — the  right 
of  the  people  to  make  their  own  Constitution,  and  come  into  the  Union  with 
slavery  or  without  it,  as  they  see  proper — shall  again  arise,  you  will  find  me 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  233 

standing  firm  in  the  defense  of  that  principle,  and  fighting  whoever  fights  it. 
("Right,  right,"  "Good,  good"  and  cheers.)  If  Buchanan  stands,  I  doubt  not 
he  will,  by  the  recommendation  contained  in  his  message,  that  hereafter  all 
state  constitutions  ought  to  be  submitted  to  the  people  before  the  admission 
of  the  state  into  the  Union,  he  will  find  me  standing  by  him  firmly  shoulder  to 
shoulder,  in  carrying  it  out.  I  know  Mr.  Lincoln's  object;  he  wants  to  di- 
vide the  Democratic  party,  in  order  that  he  may  defeat  me  and  get  to  the 
Senate. 

Mr.  Douglas'  time  here  expired,  and  he  stopped  on  the  moment. 

MR.  LINCOLN'S  REJOINDER. 

As  Mr.  Lincoln  arose  he  was  greeted  with  vociferous  cheers.     He  said : 

My  Friends :  It  will  readily  occur  to  you  that  I  cannot,  in  half  an  hour, 
notice  all  the  things  that  so  able  a  man  as  Judge  Douglas  can  say  in  an  hour 
and  a  half ;  and  I  hope,  therefore,  if  there  be  anything  he  has  said  upon  which 
you  would  like  to  hear  something  from  me,  but  which  I  omit  to  comment  upon, 
you  will  bear  in  mind  that  it  would  be  expecting  an  impossibility  for  me  to 
go  over  his  whole  ground.  I  can  but  take  up  some  of  the  points  that  he  has 
dwelt  upon,  and  employ  my  half  hour  especially  upon  them. 

The  first  thing  I  have  to  say  to  you  is  a  word  in  regard  to  Judge  Douglas' 
declaration  about  the  "vulgarity  and  blackguardism"  in  the  audience — that  no 
such  thing,  as  he  says,  was  shown  by  any  Democrat  while  I  was  speaking. 
Now,  I  only  wish,  by  way  of  reply  on  this  subject,  to  say  that  while  I  was 
speaking,  I  used  no  "vulgarity  or  blackguardism"  toward  any  Democrat.  (Laugh- 
ter and  applause.) 

Now,  my  friends,  I  come  to  all  this  long  portion  of  the  judge's  speech — 
perhaps  half  of  it— which  he  has  devoted  to  the  various  resolutions  and  plat- 
forms that  have  been  adopted  in  the  different  counties  in  the  different  congres- 
sional districts,  and  in  the  Illinois  Legislature,  which  he  supposes  are  at  vari- 
ance with  the  positions  I  have  assumed  before  you  today.  It  is  true  that  many 
of  these  resolutions  are  at  variance  with  the  positions  I  have  here  assumed. 
All  I  have  to  ask  is  that  we  talk  reasonably  and  rationally  about  it.  I  happen 
to  know,  the  judge's  opinion  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding,  that  I  have  never 
tried  to  conceal  my  opinions,  nor  tried  to  deceive  any  one  in  reference  to  them. 
He  may  go  and  examine  all  the  members  who  voted  for  me  for  the  United 
States  Senator  in  1855,  after  the  election  in  1854.  They  were  pledged  to  cer- 
tain things  here  at  home,  and  were  determined  to  have  pledges  from  me ;  and  if 
he  will  find  any  of  these  persons  who  will  tell  him  anything  inconsistent  with 
what  I  say  now,  I  will  resign,  or  rather  retire  from  the  race,  and  give  him  no 
more  trouble.  (Applause.) 

The  plain  truth  is  this :  At  the  introduction  of  the  Nebraska  policy,  we  be- 
lieved there  was  a  new  era  being  introduced  in  the  history  of  the  Republic, 
which  tended  to  the  spread  and  perpetuation  of  slavery.  But  in  our  opposi- 
tion to  that  measure  we  did  not  agree  with  one  another  in  everything.  The 
people  in  the  north  end  of  the  state  were  for  stronger  measures  of  opposition 
than  we  of  the  central  and  southern  portions  of  the  state,  but  we  were  all  op- 


234  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

posed  to  the  Nebraska  doctrine.  We  had  that  one  feeling  and  that  one  senti- 
ment in  common.  You  at  the  north  end  met  in  your  conventions  and  passed 
your  resolutions.  We  in  the  middle  of  the  state  and  further  south  did  not 
hold  such  conventions  and  pass  the  same  resolutions,  although  we  had  in  gen- 
eral a  common  view  and  a  common  sentiment.  So  that  these  meetings  which 
the  judge  has  alluded  to,  and  the  resolutions  he  has  read  from,  were  local,  and 
did  not  spread  over  the  whole  state.  We  at  last  met  together  in  1850,  from  all 
parts  of  the  state,  and  we  agreed  upon  a  common  platform.  You  who  held 
more  extreme  notions,  either  yielded  those  notions,  or,  if  not  wholly  yielding 
them,  agreed  to  yield  them  practically,  for  the  sake  of  embodying  the  oppo- 
sition to  the  measures  which  the  opposite  party  were  pushing  forward  at  that 
time.  We  met  you  then  and  if  there  was  anything  yielded,  it  was  for  practical 
purposes.  We  agreed  then  upon  a  platform  for  the  party  throughout  the  entire 
state  of  Illinois,  and  now  we  are  all  bound,  as  a  party  to  that  platform.  And. 
I  say  here  to  you,  if  anyone  expects  of  me — in  the  case  of  my  election — that 
I  will  do  anything  not  signified  by  our  Republican  platform  and  my  answers 
here  today,  I  tell  you  very  frankly  that  person  will  be  deceived. 

I  do  not  ask  for  the  vote  of  any  one  who  supposes  that  I  have  secret  pur- 
poses or  pledges  that  I  dare  not  speak  out.  Cannot  the  judge  be  satisfied?  If 
he  fears,  in  the  unfortunate  case  of  my  election  (laughter)  that  my  going  to 
Washington  will  enable  me  to  advocate  sentiments  contrary  to  those  which  I 
expressed  when  you  voted  for  and  elected  me,  I  assure  him  that  his  fears  are 
wholly  needless  and  groundless.  Is  the  judge  really  afraid  of  any  such 
thing?  (Laughter.)  I'll  tell  you  what  he  is  afraid  of.  He  is  afraid 
we'll  all  pull  together.  (Applause  and  cries  of  "We  will!  we  will!") 
This  is  what  alarms  him  more  than  anything  else.  (Laughter.)  For  my  part, 
I  do  hope  that  all  of  us,  entertaining  a  common  sentiment  in  opposition  to 
what  appears  to  us  a  design  to  nationalize  and  perpetuate  slavery,  will  waive 
minor  differences  on  questions  which  either  belong  to  the  dead  past  or  the  dis- 
tant future,  and  all  pull  together  in  this  struggle.  What  are  your  sentiments? 
("We  will!  we  will!"  Loud  cheers.)  If  it  be  true  that  on  the  ground  which  I 
cupy,  ground  which  I  occupy  as  frankly  and  boldly  as  Judge  Douglas  does  his — 
my  views,  though  partly  coinciding  with  yours,  are  not  as  perfectly  in  accord- 
ance with  your  feelings  as  his  are,  I  do  say  to  you  in  all  candor,  go  for  him,  and 
not  for  me.  I  hope  to  deal  in  all  things  fairly  with  Judge  Douglas,  and  with 
the  people  of  the  state,  in  this  contest.  And  if  I  should  never  be  elected  to  any 
office,  I  trust  I  may  go  down  with  no  stain  of  falsehood  upon  my  reputation, 
notwithstanding  the  hard  opinions  Judge  Douglas  chooses  to  entertain  of  me. 
(Laughter.) 

The  judge  has  again  addressed  himself  to  the  Abolition  tendencies  of  a 
speech  of  mine  made  at  Springfield  in  June  last.  I  have  so  often  tried  to  answer 
what  he  is  always  saying  on  that  melancholy  theme  that  I  almost  turn  with 
disgust  from  the  discussion — from  the  repetition  of  an  answer  to  it.  I  trust 
that  nearly  all  of  this  intelligent  audience  have  read  that  speech.  ("We  have!  we 
have.")  If  you  have,  I  may  venture  to  leave  it  to  you  to  inspect  it  closely,  and 
see  whether  it  contains  any  of  those  "bugaboos"  which  frighten  Judge  Douglas. 
(Laughter.) 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  235 

The  judge  complains  that  I  did  not  fully  answer  his  questions.  If  I  have 
the  sense  to  comprehend  and  answer  those  questions,  I  have  done  so  fairly. 
If  it  can  be  pointed  out  to  me  how  I  can  more  fully  and  fairly  answer  him,  I 
will  do  it ;  but  I  aver  I  have  not  the  sense  to  see  how  it  is  to  be  done.  He  says  I 
do  not  declare  I  would  in  any  event  vote  for  the  admission  of  a  slave  state  into 
the  Union.  If  I  have  been  fairly  reported,  he  will  see  that  I  did  give  explicit 
answer  to  his  interrogatories ;  I  did  not  merely  say  that  I  would  dislike  to  be 
put  to  the  test,  but  I  said  clearly,  if  I  were  put  to  the  test,  and  a  territory  from 
which  slavery  has  been  excluded  should  present  herself  with  a  state  consti- 
tution, sanctioning  slavery — a  most  extraordinary  thing,  and  wholly  unlikely 
to  happen — I  did  not  see  how  I  could  avoid  voting  for  her  admission.  But  he 
refuses  to  understand  that  I  said  so  and  he  "wants  this  audience  to  understand 
that  I  did  not  say  so.  Yet  it  will  be  so  reported  in  the  printed  speech  that  he 
cannot  help  seeing  it. 

He  says  if  I  should  vote  for  the  admission  of  a  slave  state  I  would  be  vot- 
ing for  a  dissolution  of  the  Union,  because  I  hold  that  the  Union  cannot  per- 
manently exist  half  slave  and  half  free.  I  repeat  that  I  do  not  believe  this 
government  can  endure  permanently  half  slave  and  half  free;  yet  I  do  not 
admit,  nor  does  it  at  all  follow,  that  the  admission  of  a  single  slave  state  will 
permanently  fix  the  character  and  establish  this  as  a  universal  slave  nation. 
The  judge  is  very  happy  indeed  at  working  up  these  quibbles.  (Laughter  and 
cheers.)  Before  leaving  the  subject  of  answering  questions,  I  aver  as  my 
confident  belief,  when  you  come  to  see  our  speeches  in  print,  that  you  will 
find  every  question  which  he  has  asked  me  more  fairly  and  boldly  and  fully 
answered  than  he  has  answered  those  which  I  put  to  him.  Is  not  that  so? 
(Cries  of  "Yes,  Yes.")  The  two  speeches  may  be  placed  side  by  side,  and  I 
will  venture  to  leave  it  to  impartial  judges  whether  his  questions  have  not 
been  more  directly  and  circumstantially  answered  than  mine.  Judge  Douglas 
says  he  made  a  charge  upon  the  editor  of  the  Washington  Union,  alone,  of 
entertaining  a  purpose  to  rob  the  states  of  their  power  to  exclude  slavery  from 
their  limits.  I  undertake  to  say,  and  I  make  the  direct  issue,  that  he  did  not 
make  his  charge  against  the  editor  of  the  Union  alone.  (Applause.)  I  will 
undertake  to  prove  by  the  record  here  that  he  made  the  charge  against  more 
and  higher  dignitaries  than  the  editor  of  the  Washmington  Union.  I  am  quite 
aware  that  he  was  shirking  and  dodging  around  the  form  in  which  he  put  it, 
but  I  can  make  it  manifest  that  he  levelled  his  "fatal  blow"  against  more  per- 
sons than  this  Washington  editor.  Will  he  dodge  it  now  by  alleging  that  I 
am  trying  to  defend  Mr.  Buchanan  against  the  charge?  Not  at  all.  Am  I 
not  making  the  same  charge  myself?  (Laughter  and  applause.)  I  am  try- 
ing to  show  that  you,  Judge  Douglas,  are  a  witness  on  my  side.  (Renewed 
laughter.)  I  am  not  defending  Buchanan,  and  I  will  tell  Judge  Douglas  that 
in  my  opinion,  when  he  made  that  charge,  he  had  an  eye  farther  north  than 
he  has  today.  He  was  then  fighting  against  people  who  called  him  a  Black 
Republican  and  an  Abolitionist.  It  is  mixed  all  through  his  speech,  and  it  is 
tolerably  manifest  that  his  eye  was  a  great  deal  farther  north  than  it  is  today. 
(Cheers  and  laughter.)  The  judge  says  that  though  he  made  this  charge, 
Toombs  got  up  and  declared  there  was  not  a  man  in  the  United  States,  except 


236  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

the  editor  of  the  Union,  who  was  in  favor  of  the  doctrines  put  forth  in  that 
article.  And  thereupon  I  understand  that  the  judge  withdrew  the  charge.  Al- 
though he  had  taken  extracts  from  the  newspaper,  and  then  from  the  Lecomp- 
ton  Constitution,  to  show  the  existence  of  a  conspiracy  to  bring  about  a  "fatal 
blow,"  by  which  the  states  were  to  be  deprived  of  the  right  of  excluding  sla- 
very, it  all  went  to  pot  as  soon  as  Toombs  got  up  and  told  him  it  was  not 
true.  (Laughter.) 

It  reminds  me  of  the  story  that  John  Phoenix,  the  California  railroad  sur- 
veyor, tells.  •  He  says  they  started  out  from  the  Plaza  to  the  Mission  of  Do- 
lores. They  had  two  ways  of  determining  distances.  One  was  by  a  chain  and 
pins-taken  over  the  ground.  The  other  was  by  a  "go-it-ometer" — an  invention 
of  his  own — a  three-legged  instrument,  with  which  he  computed  a  series  of 
triangles  between  the  points.  At  night  he  turned  to  the  chain-man  to  ascertain 
what  distance  they  had  come,  and  found  that  by  some  mistake  he  had  merely 
dragged  the  chain  over  the  ground  without  keeping  any  record.  By  the  "go- 
it-ometer"  he  found  he  had  made  ten  miles.  Being  skeptical  about  this,  he 
asked  a  drayman  who  was  passing  how  far  it  was  to  the  Plaza.  The  drayman 
replied  it  was  just  half  a  mile;  and  the  surveyor  put  it  down  in  his  book — just 
as  Judge  Douglas  says,  after  he  had  made  his  calculations  and  computations, 
he  took  Toomb's  statement.  (Great  laughter.)  I  have  no  doubt  that  after 
Judge  Douglas  had  made  his  charge,  he  was  as  easily  satisfied  about  its  truth 
as  the  surveyor  was  of  the  drayman's  statement  of  the  distance  to  the  Plaza. 
( Renewed  -  laughter. )  Yet  it  is  a  fact  that  the  man  who  put  forth  all  that 
matter  which  Douglas  deemed  a  "fatal  blow"  at  state  sovereignty,  was  elected 
by  the  Democrats  as  public  printer. 

Now,  gentlemen,  you  may  take  Judge  Douglas'  speech  of  March  22,  1858,1 
beginning  about  the  middle  of  page  twenty-one,  and  reading  to  the  bottom  of 
page  twenty-four,  and  you  will  find  the  evidence  on  which  I  say  that  he  did 
not  make  his  charge  against  the  editor  of  the  Union  alone.  I  cannot  stop  to 
read  it,  but  I  will  give  it  to  the  reporters.  Judge  Douglas  said : 

"Mr.  President,  you  here  find  several  distinct  propositions  advanced  boldly 
by  the  Washington  Union  editorially,  and  apparently  authoritatively,  and  every 
man  who  questions  any  of  them  is  denounced  as  an  Abolitionist,  a  free-soiler, 
a  fanatic.  The  propositions  are,  first  that  the  primary  object  of  all  govern- 
ment at  its  original  institution  is  the  protection  of  persons  and  property;  sec- 
ond, that  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  declares  that  the  citizens  of 
each  state  shall  be  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  and  immunities  of  citizens  in 
the  several  states;  and  that,  therefore,  thirdly,  all  state  laws,  whether  organic 
or  otherwise,  which  prohibit  the  citizens  of  one  state  from  settling  in  another 
with  their  slave  property,  and  especially  declaring  it  forfeited,  are  direct  viola- 
tions of  the  original  intention  of  the  government  and  Constitution  of  the 
United  States ;  and  fourth,  that  the  emancipation  of  the  slaves  of  the  northern 
states  was  a  gross  outrage  on  the  rights  of  property,  inasmuch  as  it  was  invol- 
untarily done  on  the  part  of  the  owner. 

"Remember  that  this  article  was  published  in  the  Union  on  the  iyth  of  No- 
vember, and  on  the  i8th  appeared  the  first  article,  giving  the  adhesion  of  the 
Union  to  the  Lecompton  Constitution.  It  was  in  these  words: 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  237 

"  'Kansas  and  Her  Constitution. — The  vexed  question  is  settled.  The  prob- 
lem is  solved.  The  dead  point  of  danger  is  passed.  All  serious  trouble  to  Kan- 
sas affairs  is  over  and  gone — ' 

"And  a  column,  nearly,  of  the  same  sort.  Then,  when  you  come  to  look 
into  the  Lecompton  Constitution,  you  find  the  same  doctrine  incorporated  in  it 
which  was  put  forth  editorially  in  the  Union.  What  is  it? 

"  'Article  J,  Section  i.  The  right  of  property  is  before  and  higher  than  any 
constitutional  sanction ;  and  the  right  of  the  owner  to  a  slave  to  such  slave  and 
its  increase  is  the  same  and  as  invariable  as  the  right  of  the  owner  of  any 
property  whatever.' 

"Then  in  the  schedule  is  a  provision  that  the  Constitution  may  be  amended 
after  1864  by  a  two-thirds  vote. 

"  'But  no  alteration  shall  be  made  to  affect  the  right  of  property  in  the  owner- 
ship of  slaves.' 

"It  will  be  seen  by  these  clauses  in  the  Lecompton  Constitution  that  they  are 
identical  in  spirit  with  this  authoritative  article  in  the  Washington  Union  of  the 
day  previous  to  its  indorsement  of  this  Constitution. 

"When  I  saw  that  artcle  in  the  Union  of  the  I7th  of  November,  followed  by  the 
glorification  of  the  Lecompton  Constitution  on  the  i8th  of  November,  and  this 
clause  in  the  Constitution  asserting  the  doctrine  that  a  state  has  no  right  to  pro- 
hibit slavery  within  its  limits,  I  saw  that  there  was  a  fatal  blow  being  struck  at 
the  sovereignty  of  the  states  of  the  Union." 

Here,  he  says,  "Mr.  President,  you  here  find  several  distinct  propositions  ad- 
vanced boldly,  and  apparently  authoritatively."  By  whose  authority,  Judge 
Douglas?  (Great  cheers  and  laughter.)  Again,  he  says  in  another  place,  "It 
will  be  seen  by  these  clauses  in  the  Lecompton  Constitution  that  they  are  identi- 
cal with  this  authoritative  article."  By  whose  authority?  (Renewed  cheers.) 
Who  do  you  mean  to  say  authorized  the  publication  of  these  articles  ?  He  knows 
that  the  Washington  Union  is  considered  the  organ  of  the  Administration.  I 
demand  of  Judge  Douglas  by  whose  authority  he  meant  to  say  those  articles  were 
published,  if  not  by  the  authority  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  his 
Cabinet?  I  defy  him  to  show  whom  he  referred  to,  if  not  to  these  high  func- 
tionaries in  the  Federal  Government.  More  than  this,  he  says  the  articles  in  that 
paper  and  the  provisions  of  the  Lecompton  Constitution  are  "identical"  and,  be- 
ing identical,  he  argues  that  the  authors  are  co-operating  and  conspiring  together. 
He  does  not  use  the  word  "conspiring"  but  what  other  construction  can  you  put 
upon  it  ?  He  winds  up  with  this : — 

"When  I  saw  that  article  in  the  Union  of  the  I7th  of  November,  followed 
by  the  glorification  of  the  Lecompton  Constitution  on  the  i8th  of  November, 
and  this  clause  in  the  Constitution  asserting  the  doctrine  that  a  state  has  no  right 
to  prohibit  slavery  within  its  limits,  I  saw  there  was  a  fatal  blow  being  struck 
at  the  sovereignty  of  the  states  of  this  Union." 

I  ask  him  if  all  this  fuss  was  made  over  the  editor  of  this  newspaper. 
(Laughter.)  It  would  be  a  terribly  "fatal  blow"  indeed  which  a  single  man 
could  strike,  when  no  President,  no  Cabinet  officer,  no  member  of  Congress,  was 
giving  strength  and  efficiency  to  the  movement.  Out  of  respect  to  Judge  Doug- 
las'  good  sense  I  must  believe  he  did  not  manufacture  his  idea  of  the  "fatal" 


238  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

character  of  that  blow  out  of  such  a  miserable  scapegrace  as  he  represents  that 
editor  to  be.  But  the  judge's  eye  is  farther  south  now.  (Laughter  and  cheers.) 
Then,  it  was  very  peculiarly  and  decidedly  north.  His  hope  rested  on  the  idea 
of  enlisting  the  great  "Black  Republican"  party,  and  making  it  the  tail  of  his 
new  kite.  (Great  laughter.)  He  knows  he  was  then  expecting  from  day  to 
day  to  turn  Republican,  and  place  himself  at  the  head  of  our  organization.  He 
has  found  that  these  despised  "Black  Republicans"  estimated  him  by  a  standard 
which  he  has  taught  them  only  too  well.  Hence  he  is  crawling  back  into  his  old 
camp,  and  you  will  find  him  eventually  installed  in  full  fellowship  among  those 
whom  he  was  then  battling,  and  with  whom  he  now  pretends  to  be  at  such  fear- 
ful variance.  (Loud  applause  and  cries  of  "Go  on,  go  on,")  I  cannot,  gentle- 
men, my  time  has  expired. 

THE  CIVIL  WAR. 

The  firing  upon  Fort  Sumter  and  the  overt  attempt  to  break  up  the  Union 
in  1861,  was  not  a  surprise  to  the  people  of  Stephenson  County.  Since  1848, 
there  had  been  a  great  amount  of  public  discussion  on  the  slavery  question ;  in 
the  two  newspapers,  on  the  stump  and  in  great  public  meetings,  culminating  in 
the  debate  between  Lincoln  and  Douglas  in  1858.  The  lines  were  sharply 
drawn  between  Whigs  and  Democrats  and  later  between  Democrats  and  Re- 
publicans. In  the  press  and  on  the  stump,  each  side  assailed  the  policy  of  the 
other  as  leading  toward  disunion.  Both  sides  were  honest  and  sincere.  Each 
believed  the  policy  of  the  other  to  lead  to  disunion.  On  the  question  of  per- 
petuity of  the  Union,  there  was  no  difference  of  opinion  in  this  county. 

Events  followed  fast  upon  each  other, — the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Com- 
promise in  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill,  the  Civil  war  in  Kansas,  the  Lincoln- 
Douglas  debates,  John  Brown's  raid,  the  Dred  Scott  decision,  the  nomination  of 
Lincoln  and  the  split  in  the  Democratic  party  in  1860, — all  of  which  prepared 
the  public  mind  for  the  approaching  struggle.  The  conflict  had  raged  for  twenty 
years,  and  its  intensity  had  raised  up  a  mass  of  men  of  powerful  conviction. 
The  issues  had  passed  from  the  abstract  to  the  concrete  and  by  1860,  the  line  of 
demarcation  was  geographical. 

The  firing  on  Fort  Sumter,  while  not  a  surprise,  presented  a  new  situation. 
The  issue  was  no  longer  slavery,  it  was  the  preservation  of  the  National  Union. 
While  Stephenson  County  had  been  sharply  divided  on  the  various  issues  aris- 
ing out  of  the  slavery  question,  her  people  stood  almost  a  unit  on  the  greater 
question  of  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  and  how  well  they  did  their  part  in 
the  greatest  crisis  of  the  nation,  is  written  in  the  history  of  her  fighting  men  on 
the  battlefield.  Party  lines  were  practically  obliterated  and  Democrats  and  Re- 
publicans went  to  the  front  side  by  side,  not  to  free  the  negroes,  but  to  save  a 
nation. 

Douglas,  in  his  Chicago  speech,  revealed  his  true  greatness  by  coming  out 
strongly  on  the  side  of  Lincoln  and  the  Union. 

Old  Plymouth  Hall,  where  the  Wilcoxen  building  now  stands,  was  Free- 
port's  Fanueil  Hall.  April  18,  Thursday  evening,  1861,  a  mass  meeting  was 
called  for  Plymouth  Hall.  The  people  rallied  to  the  hall  in  great  numbers  and 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  239 

in  feverish  excitement  and  with  a  spirit  of  determination.  Hon.  F.  W.  S. 
Brawley  was  elected  chairman ;  J.  R.  Scroggs  and  C.  K.  Judson,  secretaries. 
On  motion  of  J.  W.  Shaffer,  Thomas  Wilcoxen,  J.  M.  Smith,  W.  P.  Malburn, 
H.  H.  Taylor,  Capt.  Crane  and  Dr.  Martin  were  elected  vice  presidents.  A  com- 
mitee  on  resolutions  was  appointed.  It  consisted  of  J.  W.  Shaffer,  James  Mit- 
chell, C.  K.  Judson,  J.  R.  Scroggs  and  A.  H.  Stone.  Stirring  speeches  were 
made  by  Smith  D.  Atkins,  Charles  Betts,  C.  S.  Bagg  and  William  Wagner  of 
the  Anzeiger.  Resolutions  straight  to  the  point,  declaring  love  for  the  Union 
and  for  the  enforcement  of  the  law,  were  adopted. 

When  a  telegram  came,  April  17,  1861,  that  Lincoln  had  issued  his  first  call 
for  troops,  Mr.  Smith  D.  Atkins,  then  state's  attorney  for  the  district,  at  once 
drafted  an  enlistment  roll  and  wrote  his  own  name  at  the  head  of  the  list,  the 
first  to  enlist  from  the  county.  Largely  through  his  efforts  a  company  was 
raised,  a  company  organization  perfected.  Mr.  Atkins  was  elected  captain; 
M.  E.  Newcomer,  first  lieutenant;  S.  W.  Field,  second  lieutenant;  E.  T.  Good- 
rich, H.  A.  Sheetz,  William  Polk  and  R.  W.  Hulbert,  sergeants;  C.  T.  Dunham, 
J.  O.  Churchill,  R.  H.  Rodearmel  and  W.  W.  Lott,  corporals;  C.  E.  Cotton, 
drummer;  and  J.  R.  Harding,  fifer. 

The  officers  and  the  following  privates  took  the  oath  April  20,  1861 :  W.  W. 
Allen,  J.  W.  Brewster,  Robert  Brennan,  W.  N.  Blakeman,  A.  S.  Best,  H.  P. 
Parker,  W..  H.  Brown,  Frank  Bellman,  J.  S.  Chambers,  J.  M.  Chown,  Thomas 
Chattaway,  A.  Coppersmith,  F.  Dreener,  J.  W.  Duncan,  J.  P.  Davis,  M.  Eshel- 
man,  William  Eddy,  J.  Geiser,  J.  R.  Hayes,  E.  J.  Hurlburt,  W.  J.  Hoover,  L. 
Hall,  T.  J.  Hathaway,  J.  E.  Hershey,  J.  F.  Harnish,  F.  M.  DeArmit,  W.  W. 
Hunt,  W.  J.  Irvin,  S.  H.  Ingham,  Nicholas  Kassel,  D.  L.  Fanner,  O.  F.  Lamb, 
T.  H.  Loveland,  S.  Lindeman,  S.  Lebkicker,  J.  H.  McGee,  U.  B.  McDowell, 
W.  T.  McLaughlin,  F.  Murphy,  D.  McCormick,  J.  M.  Miller,  F.  R.  McLaugh- 
lin,  J.  P.  Owen,  J.  Pratt,  A.  Patterson,  G.  L.  Piersol,  N.  Smith,  L.  Strong, 
J.  S.  Stout,  O.  F.  Smith,  M.  Slough,  C.  Sched,  J.  S.  Sills,  C.  G.  Stafford,  T. 
Wishart,  W.  P.  Waggoner,  M.  S.  Weaver,  J.  Walton,  Stephens  Waterbury,  J. 
Walkey  and  J.  Work. 

May  i,  1861,  the  company  left  for  Springfield.  It  was  a  stirring  day  in  old 
Freeport.  Three  thousand  people  were  out  to  see  the  first  company  of  Stephen- 
son  county  boys  leave  for  the  front.  The  company  was  escorted  to  the  station 
by  the  Union  Cornet  Band  and  by  Capt.  W.  B.  Mills  Company.  At  Springfield, 
Capt.  Atkins'  Company  was  assigned  as  Company  A,  the  Eleventh  Regiment  of 
Illinois  Volunteers. 

A  second  company  was  soon  organized,  with  W.  J.  McKimm,  captain ;  Henry 
Settlee  and  Philip  Arno,  lieutenants;  Carl  F.  Wagner,  Jacob  Hoebel,  D.  A. 
Golpin  and  Theodore  Grove,  sergeants.  The  company  included :  Joseph  Meyer, 
Jacob  Fiscus,  E.  Wike,  John  Bauscher,  L.  Lehman,  Amos  D.  Hemming,  Joseph 
Boni,  George  Moggly,  Dietrich  Sweden,  John  Kruse,  Meinhard  Herren,  C.  H. 
Gramp,  Jacob  Steinhauer,  Mat  Allard,  John  Berry,  Peter  E.  Smith,  James 
Holmes,  Henry  Groenewald,  Albert  Kocher,  Thomas  Burling,  C.  Protexter, 
David  Stocks,  Henry  Luttig,  Thomas  Shuler,  Adam  Haiser,  Andrew  Oln- 
hausen,  E.  Neese,  David  French,  J.  M.  Maynard,  A.  Borches,  Jacob  Doll,  John 
A.  Raymer,  Jacob  Ernst,  Leonard  Sherman,  Frederick  Deusing,  John  T. 


240  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Palmer,  John  Wheeler,  Martin  Aikey,  R.  Harberts,  A.  V.  L.  Roosa,  Emanuel 
Evee,  C.  F.  A.  Kellogg,  John  Niemeyer,  Thomas  Willan,  James  Vore,  August 
Temple,  Jacob  Rohrback,  Henry  Spies,  Charles  Entorff,  Isaac  Kephart,  James 
Barron,  Herman  Froning,  Daniel  F.  Shirk,  James  Kenneg,  Albert  J.  Miller, 
William  H.  Hennich,  John  Wiefenbach,  William  Morris,  Henry  Kasper,  Mar- 
tin D.  Rollison,  Henry  D.  Black,  John  F.  Black,  Henry  Rubald,  Bernard 
O'Brien,  George  Philbrick,  William  Quinn,  John  B.  Yoder,  John  Ginther,  M.  D. 
Miller,  John  Yordy,  Moses  Burns,  Gotlieb  Vollmer,  Garrison  Haines  and  Max 
Lamprecht,  privates. 

A  company  organized  at  Lena  went  to  the  front  in  the  Fifteenth  Illinois. 
Camp  Scott  had  been  opened  on  what  is  now  Taylor's  Park  and  to  this  company 
came  volunteers  from  all  points  of  the  compass.  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner  was 
colonel  of  the  Fifteenth  Regiment  recruited  at  Camp  Scott,  and  the  regiment 
left  for  Alton,  June  19,  1861.  An  immense  crowd  gathered  at  the  railroad  sta- 
tion to  see  the  regiment  leave  for  the  war.  Such  a  scene  beggars  description, — 
the  parting  of  friends,  relatives  and  loved  ones,  the  martial  music  of  fife  and 
drum,  and  through  all  a  deep  stirred  patriotism  and  loyalty. 

At  the  close  of  the  three  months'  service,  Capt.  Atkins  and  his  company  re- 
enlisted,  as  Company  A,  Eleventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  Birds  Point. 

At  least  three  regiments  containing  Stephenson  County  volunteers  were  in 
the  battle  at  the  capture  of  Fort  Donelson.  In  September,  1862,  the  Ninety- 
second  Illinois  was  organized,  with  volunteers  from  Lancaster,  Kent,  Erin, 
Buckeye  and  Jefferson  townships.  In  June,  1862,  a  company  of  three  months' 
men  was  organized  under  Capt.  James  !W.  Crane;  lieutenants,  Stephen  Allen 
and  Lorenzo  Williard ;  sergeants,  John  Stine,  James  R.  Bake,  Charles  A.  Dodge, 
John  D.  Lamb  and  Harrison  W.  Sigworth ;  and  corporals,  C.  D.  Bentley,  Am- 
brose Martin,  Sidney  Robins,  H.  S.  Ritz,  W.  H.  Heyt  and  W.  H.  Battle.  In 
1862,  an  enrollment  of  the  county  showed  3,000  men  able  for  duty. 

War  meetings  were  held  at  Freeport,  Lena,  Cedarville,  Winslow  and  other 
places  in  the  county  in  1862  and  1863. 

Besides  sending  a  large  percentage  to  the  fighting  line,  the  people  of  the 
county  loyally  aided  the  needy  at  the  front  and  at  home.  Fairs  were  held  and 
money  was  donated  to  support  families  whose  heads  had  gone  to  war.  Dr. 
W.  P.  Narramore,  of  Lena,  and  other  physicians  gave  their  services  freely  to 
the  families  of  soldiers.  Through  all  there  was  a  magnificent  spirit  of  co- 
operation born  of  necessity. 

The  draft  was  enforced  but  once,  and  during  the  war  this  county  furnished 
3,168  soldiers. 

CEDARVILLE    IN    THE   CIVIL    WAR. 

Mr.  Luther  B.  Angle  wrote  the  following  article  which  was  published  in  the 
Freeport  Daily  Journal,  May  31,  1910.  It  is  a  good  explanation  of  the  part 
Cedarville  played  in  the  Civil  War : 

"Cedarville  was  represented  in  thirteen  different  regiments  during  the  Civil 
War.  The  village  had  men  in  the  Third  and  Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry ;  the  Elev- 
enth, Twelfth,  Fifteenth,  Twenty-sixth,  Thirty-second,  Forty-sixth,  Ninety-sec- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  241 

ond  (mounted),  Ninety-third,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-second,  One  Hundred 
and  Forty-sixth  and  One  Hundred  and  Forty-seventh  Regiments  of  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry  and  in  one  battery. 

We  would  like  to  mention  all  of  the  families,  but  will  mention  only  a  few 
notable  large  ones. 

Aikey — Three  brothers. 

Hiram  Clingman — Five  brothers. 

John  Clingman — Four  brothers. 

Josiah  Clingman — Three  brothers. 

Carman — Father  and  three  sons. 

Humphrey — Three  brothers. 

Haines — Three  brothers. 

Helm — Three  brothers. 

Ilgen — Two  brothers  and  one  brother-in-law. 

Kostenbader — Three  brothers. 

Kahley — Three  brothers. 

Piersol — Father  and  two  sons. 

Rutter — Father  and  two  sons. 

Vore — Father  and  three  sons. 

Diemer — Three  brothers. 

Patten — Three  brothers. 

From  the  little  stream  south  and  east  of  the  village  in  a  distance  of  one  mile, 
there  came  thirteen  soldiers;  one  family  (Heck)  furnished  three  sons  and  one 
son-in-law;  another  family  (Kryder)  three  sons  and  two  sons-in-law  and  one 
brother-in-law.  So  we  think  we  have  a  record  hard  to  beat  at  any  time  or  place, 
or  in  any  war.  Eighteen  families  furnished  sixty-three  soldiers. 

In  Company  G,  Captain  Joseph  Reel's  company  of  the  Ninety-third,  fifty  of 
the  company  went  from  Cedarville,  including  the  other  captain,  Samuel  Daugh- 
enbaugh,  and  the  two  first  lieutenants,  Jerimiah  Piersol,  who  was  succeeded  by 
his  son,  George  Piersol. 

The  Forty-sixth  Illinois  Infantry  was  represented  by  more  than  sixty  mem- 
bers :  one  field  officer,  Major  Joseph  Clingman ;  twelve  members  of  Company  K, 
including  Captain  William  Stewart  and  First  Lieutenant  J.  Wilson ;  twenty-one 
members  of  Company  G,  including  Captain  Samuel  Buchanan,  First  Lieutenant 
Thomas  B.  Jones  of  Company  B,  and  six  members  of  his  company. 

Cedarville  also  furnished  First  Lieutenant  Jason  Clingman  of  the  Tenth 
Iowa  Infantry. 

Thus  we  have  a  total  of  ten  commissioned  officers  from  Cedarville,  one 
major,  four  captains  and  five  first  lieutenants. 

A  few  years  ago  Major  General  Nelson  A.  Miles,  in  a  speech  in  Freeport,  said 
that  after  consulting  the  census  reports  of  Stephenson  County,  he  found  that 
this  county  sent  72  per  cent  of  the  adult  male  population  into  the  army. 

CAMP  LIFE  OF  THE  FORTY-SIXTH   ILLINOIS. 

In  the  History  of  the  Forty-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  the  author, 
Lieutenant  T.  B.  Jones,  writing  of  the  life  of  the  volunteers  in  camp,  says:  "We 


242  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

were  put  to  drill  at  once,  and  toes  and  heels  were  soon  sore  from  the  treading 
of  the  men  before  and  kicks  of  those  behind,  as  we  marched  by  file,  by  flank  and 
in  line.  Not  having  any  arms  at  first  we  held  our  hands  at  our  sides,  directing 
our  mental  faculties  to  the  task  of  keeping  our  little  fingers  on  the  seams  of  our 
trouser  legs  and  the  more  difficult  requirements  of  keeping  step.  As  duty  was 
then  impressed  upon  us,  the  salutation  of  the  Union  seemed  to  depend  on  our 
fidelity  in  just  covering  the  seams  and  keeping  step  with  our  front  rank  men  or 
file  leaders,  eyes  fifteen  paces  to  front  on  the  ground.  The  men  were  a  motley 
host,  mostly  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  twenty-five,  full  of  animal  life, 
light  hearted,  disposed  to  see  fun  in  everything,  and  what  witty  things  one  did 
not  think  of  some  one  else  did.  There  were  men  of  all  trades  and  professions. 
There  were  athletes,  who  could  "do"  all  the  feats  of  the  circus  ring.  There  were 
clowns,  too,  full  of  a  waggery  that  kept  the  camp  in  a  roar.  Tailors,  barbers, 
expert  clerks,  to  keep  company  records,  teamsters,  lumbermen,  skilled  with  the 
axe;  in  short,  the  regiment  could  find  in  its  ranks  men  adapted  to  any  service, 
from  running  or  repairing  a  locomotive  to  butchering  an  ox.  Only  a  few  were 
slaves  of  drink.  They  became  frequent  tenants  of  the  guard  house  and  soon,  in 
one  way  or  another,  got  out  of  the  service.  Their  pranks  and  stratagems  to  get 
liquor  were  many  and  witty;  amusing  to  men  and  annoying  to  officers.  One 
scape-grace  would  make  shoulder  straps  out  of  orange  peel,  pin  them  on  his  coat 
and  stride  out  of  the  guard  house,  past  the  innocent  sentry  with  the  consequen- 
tial air  of  a  major  general,  only  to  turn  up  a  little  later  roaring  drunk  in  camp. 

Life  in  camp  was  very  regular.  At  five  o'clock  the  reveille  sounded  and  all 
must  rise  at  once  and  bound  from  the  little  A  tent  in  which  six  men  slept  in 
straw  and  blankets.  As  soon  as  straw  and  chaff  could  be  combed  from  the  hair 
and  the  soldier  properly  clad,  the  line  was  formed  in  each  company  street  for  roll 
call.  A  half  hour  was  then  spent  in  "policing"  camp,  that  is,  in  cleaning  up  the 
streets,  airing  tents,  blankets,  etc.  At  half  past  six  the  companies  formed  to 
march  to  breakfast,  each  man  armed  with  a  knife,  fork  and  tin  cup.  Thus  they 
marched  to  the  mess  table,  opened  files  to  surround  the  table ;  the  command  "in- 
ward face"  brought  the  company  in  line  of  battle  in  front  of  rations.  "Touch 
hats" — "Seats,"  was  next  ordered  and  executed.  The  rattle  of  knives,  forks, 
cups  and  tin  plates  and  the  roar  of  a  thousand  voices  calling  in  every  key  for 
"bread,"  "coffee,"  "water,"  presented  a  scene  of  very  active  service. 

At  half  past  seven  a  tap  of  the  drum  called  for  squad  drill.  For  an  hour 
squads  of  men,  nearly  all  the  regiment,  marched,  filed,  faced,  turned,  double- 
quicked,  invariably  holding  on  to  the  seam  of  the  trouser  legs,  and  soon  became  fa- 
miliar with  the  simple  movements  in  the  schools  of  the  soldier.  At  nine  the  guard 
mount,  a  pompous  ceremony  in  which  the  sergeant-major  and  adjutant  figured 
as  great  dignitaries.  At  eleven  battalion  drill  for  an  hour  gave  all  an  insight 
into  how  much  our  company  commanders  did  not  know  about  war.  Then  dinner 
and  some  lolling  about  in  the  heat  of  the  day ;  but  two  o'clock  found  the  battalion 
again  formed  and  executing  many  movements,  the  command  and  executions  of 
which  are  long  forgotten.  We  drilled  in  Hardee's  tactics,  then  thought  to  be 
the  perfection  of  simple  direct  evolution.  We  formed  line,  advanced  and  re- 
treated, changed  front  forward  and  to  the  rear.  We  marched  in  close  column, 
formed  square;  we  charged  at  double-quick  and  retreated  slowly  as  if  yielding 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  243 

the  field  inch  by  inch,  and  we  kept  the  little  finger  on  the  seam  of  our  trousers, 
though  the  sweat  tickled  our  faces  and  the  flies  tortured  our  noses.  A  grateful 
country  never  fully  appreciates  the  services  and  sufferings  of  the  raw  recruit. 
Company  drill  of  one  hour  was  one  of  the  most  important  of  all,  for  here  the 
commanding  officers  were  supposed  to  impart  to  their  men  complete  instructions, 
according  to  Hardee,  in  all  the  maneuvers  in  military  instruction.  This  was 
not  always  done,  for  the  officers,  most  of  them,  were  only  beginners  in  their 
military  education,  and  after  they  had  acquired  some  knowledge,  the  putting  into 
practice  the  different  evolutions  was  in  many  case  a  difficult  task.  Diligent 
application  to  this  work,  with  the  aid  of  a  few  instructors,  soon  gave  them  the 
necessary  knowledge  and  with  practice  the  most  of  them  became  well  informed. 
Some  of  them  made  the  best  commanders  of  the  army  and  made  their  mark 
in  after-time  in  all  the  duties  of  army  life. 

Dress  parade  came  off  at  five  o'clock.  The  guard  ceremonial  of  the  day,  de- 
scribed by  one  of  the  wags  of  the  regiment  as  a  "hard  job  o'  standing  still."  At 
six  o'clock  supper  and  then  the  play  spell  of  the  day.  Usually  a  circus  was  or- 
ganized and  the  athletes  of  the  regiment  vied  with  each  other,  while  the  wags 
made  the  welkin  ring  with  their  drolleries.  As  darkness  stole  on  the  noise  sub- 
sided into  a  hum  of  conversation  in  the  tents,  or  the  singing  of  plaintive  songs, 
for  the  hallowing  influence  of  eve  steals  over  the  rough  soldier  as  well  as  the 
sentimental  poet. 

At  nine  o'clock  the  tattoo  was  beaten,  the  evening  roll  called,  then  camp  was 
in  slumber.  Boots  and  shoes  for  pillows,  straw  and  a  blanket,  worse  than  a 
white  horse  in  coat-shedding  time,  made  us  comfortable  beds,  whatever  our  opin- 
ion may  have  been  of  them  in  those  days  of  our  callow  experience. 

ELEVENTH    INFANTRY. 

The  regiment  was  called  into  service  under  proclamation  of  the  president, 
April  16,  1861 ;  organized  at  Springfield,  and  mustered  into  serivce  April  30, 
1 86 1,  by  Capt.  Pope,  for  three  months. 

During  this  term  of  service,  the  regiment  was  stationed  at  Villa  Ridge, 
Illinois,  to  June  2Oth,  then  removed  to  Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  where  it  re- 
mained, performing  garrison  and  field  duty,  until  July  3Oth,  when  the  regiment 
was  mustered  out,  and  re-enlisted  for  three  years'  service.  During  the  three 
months'  term,  the  lowest  aggregate  was  eight  hundred  and  eighty-two  and  the 
highest  nine  hundred  and  thirty-three,  and  at  the  muster-out  was  nine  hundred 
and  sixteen. 

Upon  the  re-muster,  July  I3th,  the  aggregate  was  two  hundred  and  eighty- 
eight.  During  the  months  of  August,  September,  October  and  November,  the 
regiment  was  recruited  to  an  aggregate  of  eight  hundred  and  one.  In  the  mean- 
time were  doing  garrison  and  field  duty,  participating  in  the  following  expedi- 
tions :  September  gth  to  I  ith,  expedition  toward  New  Madrid ;  October  6th  to 
nth,  to  Charleston,  Missouri;  November  3rd  to  i2th,  to  Bloomfield,  Missouri, 
via  Commerce,  returning  via  Cape  Girardeau ;  January  7th  and  8th,  expedition 
to  Charleston,  Missouri,  skirmished  with  a  portion  of  the  command  of  Jeff 
Thompson;  January  I3th  to  2Oth,  reconnoissance  of  Columbus,  Kentucky,  under 


244  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Gen.  Grant;  January  25th  to  28th,  to  Sikestown,  Missouri,  February  2nd  em- 
barked on  transports  to  Fort  Henry,  participating  in  campaign  against  that 
place,  February  nth  moved  toward  Fort  Donelson;  February  I2th,  I3th  and 
I4th  occupied  in  investing  that  place,  1 2th  heavily  engaged  with  the  enemy  about 
five  hours,  losing  three  hundred  and  twenty-nine  killed,  wounded  and  missing, 
out  of  about  five  hundred  engaged,  of  whom  seventy-five  was  killed  and  one 
hundred  and  eighty-two  wounded ;  March  4th  and  5th,  en  route  to  Fort  Henry ; 
5th  to  1 3th  en  rounte  to  Savannah,  Tennessee,  in  transports;  23d  to  25th,  en 
route  for  Savannah  to  Pittsburg  landing;  April  6th  and  7th,  engaged  in  battle 
of  Shiloh,  losing  twenty-seven  killed  and  wounded,  out  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
engaged ;  April  24th  to  June  4th,  participated  in  siege  of  Corinth,  thence  marched 
to  Jackson,  Tennessee,  making  headquarters  here  to  August  2d,  participating 
in  two  engagements;  July  ist  and  2d  toward  Trenton,  Tennessee;  July  23rd  to 
28th,  to  Lexington,  Tennessee ;  August  2d  moved  to  Cairo,  Illinois,  for  purpose 
of  recruiting;  remained  at  that  point  until  August  23d,  thence  to  Puducah, 
Kentucky,  remaining  there  until  November  2Oth ;  in  the  meantime  engaged  in 
two  expeditions ;  August  23rd  to  September  i6th,  to  Clarksville,  Tennessee,  via 
Forts  Henry  and  Donelson;  October  3ist  to  November  i3th,  expeditions  to 
Hopkinsville,  Kentucky;  November  2Oth  to  I4th,  en  route  to  La  Grange,  Ten- 
nessee, where  the  regiment  reported  and  was  assigned  to  Brig.  Gen.  McArthur's 
Division,  Left  Wing,  I3th  Army  Corps.  From  this  time  to  January  I2th,  1863, 
participated  in  campaign  in  Northern  Mississippi,  marching  via  Tallahatchie 
(where  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  a  sharp  skirmish)  ;  from  thence  to  Abbe- 
ville ;  thence  seven  miles  below  Oxford ;  thence  to  Holly  Springs,  Moscow  and 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  remaining  in  Memphis  until  the  i/th,  when  it  embarked  on 
transport  and  en  route  to  Young's  Point  until  24th,  remaining  there  until  Feb- 
ruary nth,  then  moved  to  Lake  Providence,  and  assigned  to  the  seventeenth 
Army  Corps,  making  headquarters  there  until  April  2oth,  participating  in  ex- 
pedition to  American  Bend,  from  March  I7th  to  28th.  April  23,  1863,  the  One 
Hundred  and  Ninth  Illinois  Infantry  was  transferred  to  the  Eleventh,  five  hun- 
dred and  eighty-nine  being  the  aggregate  gained  by  the  transfer.  April  26th, 
regiment  moved  with  column  to  rear  to  Vicksburg,  via  Richmond,  Perkins 
Landing,  Grand  Gulf,  Raymond  and  Black  River,  arriving  before  the  works 
May  i8th;  May  igth  and  22d  engaged  in  assaults  on  the  enemy's  works;  then 
in  the  advance  siege  works  to  July  4th,  at  time  of  surrender;  the  regiment  los- 
ing in  the  siege  and  assault  and  field  officer  (Col.  Garrett  Nevins)  killed;  three 
line  officers  wounded,  and  forty  men  killed  and  wounded;  July  I7th  moved  with 
expedition  to  Natchez,  Mississippi,  participating  in  expedition  to  Woodville, 
Mississippi,  making  headquarters  there  to  July  29,  1864;  in  the  meantime  en- 
gaged in  the  following  expeditions:  February  ist  to  March  8th,  up  Yazoo  River 
to  Greenwood,  Mississippi,  having  a  skirmish  at  Liverpool  Heights,  February 
5th,  losing  four  killed  and  nine  wounded ;  action  at  Yazoo  City  March  5th,  los- 
ing one  line  officer  killed,  eight  men  killed,  twenty-four  wounded  and  twelve 
missing;  April  6th  to  28th,  at  Black  River  Bridge;  May  4th  to  2ist,  expedition 
to  Yazoo  City,  Benton  and  Vaughn's  Station,  Mississippi,  taking  a  prominent 
part  in  three  important  skirmishes;  July  ist  to  7th,  with  an  expedition  to  Jack- 
son, Mississippi,  under  Maj.  Gen.  Slocum,  engaged  with  the  enemy  three  times; 


SURVIVORS   OF  COMPANY   A,   ELEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY 


LIBHARf 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  01-   ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  245 

July  agth,  moved  to  Morganza  and  was  assigned  to  nineteenth  Army  Corps, 
staying  there  to  September  3d ;  in  the  meantime  participating  in  an  expedition  to 
Clinton,  Louisiana,  August  24th  to  2Qth ;  September  3d  moved  to  mouth  of  White 
River,  Arkansas ;  October  8th  moved  to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  returning  to 
White  River  October  2/th;  November  6th  and  7th,  expedition  to  Games'  Land- 
ing ;  November  the  8th,  moved  to  Duvall's  Bluff,  Arkansas ;  November  3Oth  to 
December  4th,  en  route  to  Memphis,  Tennessee;  December  2Oth  to  3ist,  ex- 
pedition to  Moscow,  Tennessee;  January  ist  to  5th,  en  route  to  Kenner,  Louis- 
iana ;  February  4th  to  7th,  en  route  to  Dauphine  Island,  via  Lake  Pontchartrain ; 
March  i7th  to  April  i2th,  engaged  in  operations  against  Mobile,  Alabama, 
marching  from  Fort  Morgan,  participating  in  the  investment  and  siege,  and  final 
capture  of  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely,  and  in  the  assault -on  the  latter; 
April  1 2th  marched  into  and  took  possession  of  the  city  of  Mobile,  staying  there 
until  the  27th  of  May,  when  embarked  in  transport  and  moved  via  Lake  Pont- 
chartrain to  New  Orleans,  from  thence  to  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  remaining 
there  until  June  22d ;  thence  to  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana,  to  be  mustered  out  of 
service;  mustered  out  July  14,  1865,  and  left  for  Springfield,  Illinois,  for  pay- 
ment and  final  discharge. 

Killed  in  the  field  and  died  of  wounds 149 

Aggregate  three-months'   service    933 

Aggregate  three-years'  service  I>&79 

Field  and  staff,  three-years'  service 53 

The  following  general  officers  have  been  in  the  regiment :  Gen.  W.  H.  L. 
Wallace,  Gen.  T.  E.  G.  Ransom,  Gen.  Smith  D.  Atkins. 

The  following  field  officers  of  other  regiments  were  members  of-  this  regU 
ment :  Col.  Hotchkiss,  Col.  Hopeman,  Col.  H.  H.  Dean,  Col.  G.  L.  Fort,  Lieut. 
Col.  McCalb,  Maj.  S.  B.  Dean,  Maj.  Widmer. 

Line  officers  from  this  regiment  to  other  regiments,  thirty-three  (33). 

Maj.  Smith  D.  Atkins,  Com.  Capt.  Co.  A,  May  14,  1861,  prmtd.  Maj.  Feb. 
15,  1862,  prmtd.  Col.  92nd  Regt. 

Quartermaster  Guyan  J.  Davis,  com.  ist.  lieut.  Co.  A.  July  4,  1860,  prmtd. 
quartermaster  Aug.  31,  1861,  term  exp.  July  29,  1864. 

Quartermaster  Joseph  W.  Brewester,  e.  as  private  Co.  A,  July  30,  1862, 
prmtd.  2nd  lieut.  Oct.  31,  1863,  prmtd  quartermaster  July  29,  1864. 

COMPANY  A. 

Capt.  Smith  D.  Atkins,  com.  May  14,  1861. 

First  Lieut.  Martin  E.  Newcomer,  com.  May  14,  1861. 

Second  Lieut.  Silas  W.  Fileds,  com.  May  14,  1861. 

First  Sergt.  Richardson  W.  Hurlburt,  e.  July  30,  1861,  prmtd.  second  lieut. 

Sergt.  James  O.  Churchill,  e.  July  30,  1861,  prmtd.  2nd  lieut. 

Sergt.  Orton  Ingersol,  e.  July  30,  1861,  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 

Sergt.  F.  T.  Goodrich,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  bat.  Shiloh. 

Sergt.  F.  R.  Bellman,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  at  Ft.  Donelson. 

Corp.  Hugh  Q.  Staver,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  for  promotion. 

Corp.  John  R.  Hayes,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Nov.  24,  1862,  disab. 


246  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Corp.  O.  F.  Lamb,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  3,  1862,  disab. 

Corp.  John  D.  Waggner,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  May  17,  1862. 

Corp.  H.  B.  Springer,  e.  July  30,  1861,  died  July  14,  1863,  wd. 

Corp.  William  N.  Blakeman,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  July  30,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired. 

Corp.  John  Cronemiller,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  at  Ft.  Donelson. 

Corp.  Jason  Clingman,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  for  promotion  June  6,  1863. 

Musician  C.  E.  Cotton,  e.  July  30,  1861,  trans,  to  noncom.  staff. 

Musician  John  R.  Harding,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  for  promotion  June  6,  1863. 

Addams,  S.  J.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  April,  1862,  disab. 

Alexander,  Joseph,  e.  July  30,  1861,  died  August  3,  1862. 

Adams,  John  H.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Nov.  20,  1862,  wd. 

Bradford,  John,  e.  Dec.  15,  1861,  disd.  May  17,  1862. 

Brewster,  John  W.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  trans,  to  non-com,  staff. 

Brooks,  E.  L.,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Bobb,  Isaac,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Dec.  25,  1862. 

Brace,  S.  N.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  vet. 

Bamberger,  E.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  for  promotion,  Oct.  20,  1863. 

Chown,  Joseph  N.,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Cross,  Levi,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  30,  1862,  disab. 

Clingman,  William,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  at  Ft.  Donelson. 

Cramer,  D.  N.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  at  Ft.  Donelson. 

Cradler,  Joseph,  e.  July  30,  1861,  as  vet. 

Dersham,  David,  e.  Dec.  n,  1861,  trans,  from  109  111.  Inf.,  disd.  May  5, 
1863,  disab. 

Dunham,  Christopher,  e.  July  30,  1861,  trans,  to  cav. 

Frain,  William,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  May  17,  1862. 

Fry,  John  W.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  died  Oct.  17,  1862. 

French,  D.  H.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  May  17,  1862. 

Figely,  William,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Ferrin,  Harvey,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  May  17,  1862. 

Forbes,  John,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Graham,  D.  F.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  at  Ft.  Donelson. 

Gillet,  John,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Gillap,  Henry,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  July  18,  1862,  disab. 

Gravenwold,  Henry,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  at  Ft.  Donelson. 

Hurlburt,  E.  D.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  as  vet. 

Hayes,  Russell,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disab. 

Hall,  Luther,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Sept.  22,  1864,  term  expired. 

Hay,  Jonathan,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disci.  Oct.  13,  1861. 

Hanman,  John  M.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  at  Shiloh. 

Hartman,  F.  D.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  at  Shiloh. 

Hile,  Samuel,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Nov.  20,  1863,  disab. 

Hays,  Samuel  P.,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  trans,  to  46th  111.  Inf. 

Hayes,  William,  e.  July  30,  1861,  vet. 

Haight,  Samuel,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Feb.  9,  1864. 

Ingham,  Samuel  H.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  trans. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  247 

Inman,  Seth,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Kassell,  Nicholas,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disab. 

Kearney,  Francis,  e.  July  30,  1861,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1861,  term  expired. 

Kline,  Eli,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  21,  1862,  disab. 

Kailey,  Jos.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  at  Ft.  Donelson. 

Lamb,  John,  e.  Sept.  27,  1861,  disd.  May  17,  1863. 

Loveland,  J.  H.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  vet. 

Lambert,  F.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  Vicksburg,  May  22,  1863. 

Lamb,  Thomas,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Lutz,  Charles  H.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  vet. 

Lied,  Edwin,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Nov.  20,  1862,  disab. 

Lyon,  George  W.,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Lynch,  Jos.  J.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Sept.  14,  1864,  term  expired.' 

McGhee,  James  J.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  vet. 

McCormick,  D.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disab. 

McGlouthling,  R.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Sept.  30,  1862,  disab. 

Marion,  Jacob,  e.  July  30,  1861,  vet. 

Pratt,  Joseph,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Patterson,  Arthur,  e.  July  30,  1861,  vet. 

Parker,  H.  M.,  e.  July  31,  1861,  disd.  for  promotion. 

Pope,  H.  H.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  May  17,  1862. 

Roe,  John  M.,  e.  July  30,   1861,  vet. 

Ross,  Isaac  M.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  Ft.  Donelson. 

Smith,  O.  F.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  m.  o.  July  29,  1864,  term  expired. 

Slough,  M.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  trans,  to  corps. 

Stoner,  H.  C.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  vet. 

Stoner,  Saul,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Shoemaker,  Anson,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  May  17,  1862. 

Smith,  Benj.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  Feb.,  1862,  disab. 

Sidle,  John,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  July  30,  1864,  term  expired. 

Syphep,  Annias,  e.  Sept.  27,  1861,  disd.  Nov.  24,  1861,  disab. 

Thompson,  John  A.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  Ft.  Donelson. 

Templeton,  David,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  May  17,  1862. 

Trimper,  John,  e.  July  30,  1861,  kid.  Ft.  Donelson. 

Taylor,  John  B.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  July  30,  1863,  disab. 

Weaver,  M.  S.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  died  Sept.  2,  1861. 

Woodring,  Uriah,  e.  July  30,  1861,  disd.  May  17,  1862. 

Wohlford,  Aaron,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Wohlford,  Jerit,  e.  July  30  ,1861. 

Wohlfort,  Geo.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  prmpt.  Corp.,  died  Aug.  29,  1863. 

Wohlford,  Jos.,  e.  July  30,  1861,  prmptd.  Corp. 

Wenz,  James,  e.  July  30,  1861. 

Williams,  F.  J.,  e.  Sept.  27,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  14,  1862,  disab. 

COMPANY    D. 

Clement,  Louis,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  died  July  27,  1864,  wd. 


248  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


FIFTEENTH  INFANTRY. 

The  Fifteenth  Regiment  Infantry,  Illinois  Volunteers,  was  organized  at  Free- 
port,  Illinois,  and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  May  24,  1861,  being 
the  first  regiment  organized  for  the  state  for  the  three-year  service.  It  then 
proceeded  to  Alton,  Illinois,  remaining  there  six  weeks  for  instruction.  Left 
Alton  for  St.  Charles,  Missouri,  thence  by  rail  to  Mexico,  Missouri.  Marched 
to  Hannibal,  Missouri ;  thence  by  steamboat  to  Jefferson  Barracks ;  then  by  rail 
to  Rolla,  Missouri.  Arrived  in  time  to  cover  Gen.  Siegel's  retreat  for  Wilson's 
Creek;  thence  to  Tipton,  Missouri,  and  thence  joined  Gen.  Fremont's  army. 
Marched  from  there  to  Springfield,  Missouri ;  thence  back  to  Tipton ;  then  to 
Sedalia,  with  Gen.  Pope,  and  assisted  in  the  capture  of  one  thousand  three  hun- 
dred of  the  enemy  a  few  miles  from  the  latter  place ;  then  marched  to  Otterville, 
Missouri,  where  it  went  into  winter  quarters  December  26,  1861.  Remained 
there  until  February  i,  1862,  then  marched  to  Jefferson  City;  thence  to  St.  Louis 
by  rail;  embarked  on  transports  for  Fort  Donelson,  arriving  there  the  day  of 
the  surrender. 

The  regiment  was  then  assigned  to  the  fourth  division,  General  Hurlbut 
commanding  and  marched  to  Fort  Henry.  Then  embarked  on  transports  for 
Pittsburg' Landing.  Participated  in  the  battles  of  the  6th  and  7th  of  April,  los- 
ing two  hundred  and  fifty-two  men  killed  and  wounded.  Among  the  former 
were  Lieutenant  Colonel  E.  T.  W.  Ellis,  Major  Goddard,  Captains  Brownell  and 
Wayne,  and  Lieutenant  John  W.  Puterbaugh.  Captain  Adam  Nase,  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner.  The  regiment  then  marched  to  Corinth,  participating  in 
various  skirmishes  and  the  siege  of  that  place,  losing  a  number  of  men  killed 
and  wounded. 

After  the  evacuation  of  Corinth,  the  regiment  marched  to  Grand  Junction; 
thence  to  Holly  Springs ;  back  to  Grand  Junction ;  thence  to  La  Grange ;  thence 
to  Memphis,  arriving  there  July  21,  1862,  and  remaining  there  until  September 
6th.  Then  marched  to  Bolivar;  thence  to  the  Hatchie  River.  Lost,  fifty  killed 
and  wounded  in  that  engagement.  Then  returned  to  Bolivar;  from  thence  to 
La  Grange;  thence  with  General  Grant  down  through  Mississippi  to  Coffeeville, 
returning  to  La  Grange  and  Memphis ;  thence  to  Vicksburg,  marched  with  Sher- 
man to  Jackson,  Mississippi,  then  returned  to  Vicksburg  and  embarked  for 
Natchez.  Marched  thence  to  Kingston ;  returned  to  Natchez ;  then  to  Harrison- 
burg,  Louisiana,  capturing  Fort  Beauregard,  on  the  Washita  River.  Returned 
to  Natchez,  remained  there  until  November  10,  1863.  Proceeded  to  Vicksburg 
and  went  into  winter  quarters.  Here  the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  re- 
maining until  February  i,  1864,  when  it  moved  with  General  Sherman  through 
Mississippi.  On  Champion  Hills  had  a  severe  engagement  with  rebel  Carney. 
Marched  to  Meridian;  thence  south  to  Enterprise;  thence  back  to  Vicksburg. 
Was  then  ordered  to  Illinois  on  veteran  furlough.  On  expiration  of  furlough-, 
joined  seventeenth  army  corps,  and  proceeded  up  the  Tennessee  River  to  Clin- 
ton ;  thence  to  Huntsville.  Alabama ;  thence  to  Decatur  and  Rome,  Georgia  ; 
thence  to  Kingston,  and  joined  General  Sherman's  army,  marching  to  Atlanta. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  249 

At  Allatoona  Pass,  the  fifteenth  and  the  fourteenth  infantry  was  consolidated, 
and  the  organization  was  known  as  the  Veteran  Battalion  Fourteenth  and  Fif- 
teenth Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers,  and  numbering  six  hundred  and  twenty-five 
men.  From  Allatoona  Pass  it  proceeded  to  Ackworth  and  was  then  assigned  to 
duty,  guarding  the  Chattanooga  &  Atlanta  Railroad.  While  engaged  in  this 
duty  the  regiment  being  scattered  along  the  line  of  road,  the  rebel  General  Hood, 
marched  north  struck  the  road  at  Big  Shanty  and  Ackworth,  and  captured  about 
three  hundred  of  the  command.  The  remainder  retreated  to  Marietta,  were 
mounted  and  acted  as  scouts  for  General  Vandever.  They  were  afterward  trans- 
ferred to  General  F.  P.  Blair,  and  marched  with  General  Sherman  through 
Georgia. 

After  the  capture  of  Savannah,  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Beaufort,  South 
Carolina;  thence  to  Salkahatchie  River,  participating  in  the  various  skirmishes 
in  that  vicinity — Columbia,  South  Carolina,  Fayetteville,  North  Carolina,  battle 
of  Bentonville — losing  a  number  wounded;  thence  to  Goldsboro  and  Raleigh. 
At  Raleigh,  recruits  sufficient  to  fill  up  both  regiments  were  received,  and  the 
organization  of  the  Veteran  Battalion  discontinued,  and  the  fifteenth  re-organ- 
ized. The  campaign  of  General  Sherman  ended  by  the  surrender  of  General 
Johnston,  The  regiment  then  marched  with  the  army  to  Washington,  D.  C., 
via  Richmond  and  Fredericksburg,  and  participated  in  the  grand  review  of 
Washington,  May  24,  1865;  remained  there  two  weeks.  Proceeded  by  rail  and 
steamboat  to  Louisville,  Kentucky;  remained  at  Louisville  two  weeks.  The  regi- 
ment was  then  detached  from  the  Fourth  Division,  Seventeenth  Army  Corps,  and 
proceeded  by  steamer  to  St.  Louis;  from  thence  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas, 
arriving  there  July  i,  1865.  Joined  the  army  serving  on  the  plains.  Arrived 
at  Fort  Kearney  August  i4th ;  then  ordered  to  return  to  Fort  Leavenworth 
September  i,  1865,  where  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  and 
placed  en  route  for  Springfield,  Illinois,  for  final  payment  and  discharge,  having 
served  four  years  and  four  months. 

Number  of  miles  marched    4,299 

Number  of  miles  by  rail    2,403 

Number  of  miles  by  steamer  4,310 


Total  miles  traveled  11,012 

Number  of  men  joined    for    organization    1,963 

Number  of  men  at  date  of  muster  out   640 

Colonel  Thomas  J.  Turner,  com.  May  14,  1861,  res.  Nov.  2,  1862. 
Maj.  William  R.  Goddard,  com.  June  26,  1861,  kid.  Pittsburg  Landing. 
Maj.  Rufus  C.  McEathorn,  com.    ist  lieut.  Co.  G.,  April  24,   1861 ;  prmtd. 
capt.  April  2,  1862;  prmtd.  maj.  July  7,  1863. 

Surgeon  William  J.  McKim,  com.  May  14,  1861,  hon.  disd.  March  21,  1865. 
First  Asst.  Surg.  John  W.  Van  Valzah,  com.  April  u,  1862,  died  about  Au- 
gust 9,  1863. 

Fife  Maj.  John  H.  Griffith,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863. 
Hospital  Steward,  H,  H.  McAfee. 
Assistant  Surgeon,  J.  iN.  DeWitt. 


250  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

COMPANY    A. 

Henry  Williams,  Warren  W.  Armstrong,  John  S.  Smith,  George  W.  Whit- 
ney, James  Hodges  and  Charles  S.  Page. 

COMPANY  B. 
Samuel  Aikey,  Joseph  H.  Fleaury,  Patrick  McNichols. 

COMPANY  c. 
Alfred  Broadee,  Joseph  Clark. 

COMPANY  D. 

Hotchkiss,  W.  N.,  e.  may  24,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 
Barnes,  William  G.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  24,  1864,  Co.  E. 
Deye,  Emanuel,  e.  May  24,  1861,  died  May  25,  1862,  wd. 
Freman,  Alfred,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 
Smith,  William  H.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 
Giltner,  Conrad,  e.  May  26,  1862,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 
Hyortas,  Julius  O.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  n,  1862,  disab. 
Hawkins,  John  H.,  March  26,  1862,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 
Protexter,  Christian,  e.  May  26,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1862. 
Shattuck,  Abner,  e.  May  26,  1861,  disd.  Dec.  15,  1862,  disab. 
Smith,  Charles,  e.  May  26,  1861,  died  April  22,  1862. 
Krink,  Jonas,  e.  June  3,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 
Miers,  Oscar,  e.  June  3,  1861. 
Prouse,  William  H.,  e.  Sept.  12,  1861. 
Wilson,  Robert  B.,  e.  June  3,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

COMPANY    F. 

Sweden,  Dietrich,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Luttig,  Henry,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Jordan,  Frank  A.,  e.  Nov.  2,  1861,  disd.  Nov.  14,  1863,  disab. 

COMPANY  G. 

Capt.  James  O.  P.  Burnside,  com.  May  15,  1861,  m.  o.  April  2,  1862. 

Capt.  Albert  Bliss,  Jr.,  com.  2d  lieut.  April  24,  1861,  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  April 
2,  1862;  prmtd.  capt.  July  7,  1863;  m.  o.  at  Consolidation. 

First  Lieut.  Hubbard  P.  Sweet,  e.  as  First  Sergt.  May  24,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d 
lieut.  April  2,  1862;  prmtd.  1st  lieut.  July  7,  1863;  m.  o.  at  Consolidation. 

Sergt.  Robert  Reeder,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  27,  1861,  disab. 

Sergt.  Waterman  Ells,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.  trans,  to  Co.  B,  Vet.  Bat. 

Sergt.  John  W.  Foil,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  May  24,  1863,  disab. 

Sergt.  Lansing  Ells,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  17,  1861,  disab. 

Corp.  William  T.  House,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Corp.  James  Aurand,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Jan.  i.  1862,  disab. 

Corp.  Albert  V.  S.  Butler,  e.  May  24,  1861,  died  Jan.  4,  1864. 

Corp.  Thomas  J.  Kaufman,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Corp.  George  L.  Stevens,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  19,  1862,  disab. 

Corp.  Hood  Hazlett,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Corp.  Daniel  J.  Kelley,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Allen,  William  E.  Dec.  i,  1863,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  Vet.  Bat. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  251 

Auk,  Jacob,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Addis,  Jacob  R.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Jan.  i,  1862,  disab. 

Aikey,  Martin,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Aurand,  George  C.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Bailey,  R.  B.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  kid.  at  Shiloh  April  6,  1862. 

Brigham,  Lewis  D.,  e.  May  21,  1861,  disd.  Jan.  n,  1862,  disab. 

Braham,  August,  e.  May  24,  1861,  died  Dec.  19,  1863. 

Bowker,  Homer  H.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Bowker,  James  M.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  died  Aug.  17,  1861. 

Barnes,  William  G.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  E. 

Ballinger,  Borroughs  W.,  e.  Sept.  23,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  15,  1862,  disab. 

Burrell,  Henry,  e.  Sept.  30,  1861. 

COMPANY  G. 

Barden,  George  R.,  e.  March  31,  1864. 
Barber,  Geo.  E.,  e.  March  31,  1864. 
Buswell,  Wm.  J.,  e.  May  24,  died  Oct.  14,  1863. 
Bahan,  John,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.  trans,  to  Go.  B,  vet.  bat. 
Brien,  B.  O.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  17,  1861,  disab. 
Brown,  Alex.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  May  i,  1863,  disab. 
Cox,  James  H.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  17,  1861,  disab. 
Christenson,  Claus,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Cassidy,  William  J.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Nov.  i,  1862,  wd. 
Calhoun,  John  P.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd,  Jan.  i,  1862,  disab. 
Cair,  Geo.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  20,  1862,  disab. 
Callen,  John,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

DeWitt,  N.  J.,  e.  June  23,  1861,  vet.  prmtd.  hospital  steward. 
Davenport,  Lucius,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  17,  1861. 
Denton,  E.  S.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet.  bat. 
Denton,  Chas.  E.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Doyle,  Mathew,  e.  May  24,  1861,  kid.  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862. 
Ehrman,  Florence,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Feb.  4,  1863,  disab. 
Ferguson,  N.  M.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Jan.  17,  1862. 
French,  Geo.  W.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Fox,  John  C.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  May  18,  1862,  disab. 
Feely,  Duncan  MacD.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd  April  17,  1863,  disab. 
Gardner,  Jerome,  e.  Oct.  I,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  19,  1862. 
Garner,  John  D.  F.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.,  trans,  to  vet.  bat.,  Co.  B. 
Gittner,  John  C.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Gittner,  R.  D.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  July  28,  1862,  disab 
Girton,  John  W.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Gintter,  John,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Feb.  7,  1862,  disab. 
Hayes,  Charles  G.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Heiser,  William  H.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet. 
bat. 

Hoag,  Leonard  H.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Hoffe,  John,  e.  Dec.  i,  1863,  vet.  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet.  bat. 

Hackman,  John  W.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 


252  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Hays,  A.  A.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  m.  o.  May  24,  1864. 
Hays,  Martin,  e.  May  19,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet.  bat. 
Hayes,  Wm.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  trans,  to  invalid  corps. 
Illingsworth,  Jos.,  e.  June  17,  1861,  disd.  Jan.  i,  1862,  disab. 
Kline,  M.  V.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  died  Nov.  8,  1861. 

Kinsman,  Richard,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet. 
bat. 

Lawver,  M.  A.,  e.  March  31,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet,  bat 

Laurer,  Lewis,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  April  8,  1862,  disab. 

Landon,  Lyman,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Ling,  E.  W.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  died  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Lambrecht,  Max,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Milhollin,  Daniel,  e.  Oct.  4,  1861,  died  June  24,  1862,  wd. 

Moll,  Wm.  R,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet.  bat. 

Mack,  John,  e.  Dec.  5,  1863. 

Minns,  Chas.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Mack,  Samuel,  e.  Dec.  5,  1863. 

Murphy,  Thomas,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Moist,  E.,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863,  trans  to  Co.  B,  vet.  bat. 

Morley,  Marshall,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Dec.  16,  1862,  disab. 

Maloney,  Michael,  e.  April  23,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet.  bat. 

Mullen,  James,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Mathison,  Alex.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet.  bat. 

McAfee,  Henry  H.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  prmtd.  to  hospital  steward. 

Miller,  John  H.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  17,  1861,  disab. 

Noble,  Geo.  W.,  e.  May  24,  1862,  vet. 

Niemeyer,  John,  e.  May  24,  1861,  kid.  at  Shiloh  April  6,  1862. 

Philips,  Hugh,  e.  May  24,  1861,  died    Jan.  6,  1862. 

Pickel,  Henry,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.,  trans,  to  vet.  bat.,  Co.  B. 

Patton,  Wm.  P.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Dec.  10,  1862,  disab. 

Preston,  George  L.,  March  31,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet.  bat. 

Palmer,  John  T.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  17,  1861,  disab. 

Reeder,  John,  disd.  June  14,  1862,  disab. 

Randall,  Geo.  H.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Sept.  2,  1862. 

Ross,  Walter  J.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Rush,  Peter,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  17,  1861,  disab. 

Rishel,  John  G.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  17,  1861. 

Rees,  Daniel  J.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Rohback,  Jacob,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  20,  1862,  disab. 

Seymour,  Oliver,  e.  May  31,  1861. 

Sasman,  D.  W.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  18,  1862. 

Sigler,  John  B.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Shiney,  Sylvester,  e.  May  24,  1861,  vet.  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet.  bat. 

Shinkle,  Geo.  W.,  e.  May  24.  1861,  vet..  Jan.  i,  1864.  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet,  bat. 

Stites,  David  R.  P.,  e.  Sept.  23,  1861,  kid.  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862. 

Shrove,  Wm.  H.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  17,  1861,  disab. 

Snyder,  Egbert,  e.  Sept.  30,  1861,  disd.  Dec.  18,  1862,  disab. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  253 

Shinkle,  E.  R.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

Stull,  James,  e.  Sept.  i,  1862,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet.  bat. 

Shrove,  Daniel,  e.  May  24,  1861,  disd.  Feb.,  1862,  disab. 

Sturn,  Henry,  e.  May  31,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet.  bat. 

Solace,  E.  D.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  died  April  28,  1862,  wd. 

Savidge,  Robt.  S.,  e.,  May  24,  1861,  disd.  July  28,  1862,  wd. 

Tull,  Chas.  H.,  e.  Sept.  23,  1861,  vet. 

Tenant,  Owen,  May  24,  1861,  died  April,  1862,  wd. 

Trepus,  Daniel,  Sept.  2,  1862,  trans,  to  vet.  bat. 

Twogood,  Luther  J.,  e.  May  23,  1861. 

Wite,  John  E.,  e.,  March  30,  1864,  trans,  to  vet.  bat. 

Wheeler,  John  S.,  e.  May  24,  1861,  kid.  at  Shiloh. 

Yoder,  John  B.,  e.  May  24,  1861. 

FOURTEENTH    (REORGANIZED)    INFANTRY. 
COMPANY    K. 

Blankenship,  John,.e.  March  9,  1865. 
Rollins,  Solomon  W.,  e.  March  9,  1865. 

FOURTEENTH   AND  FIFTEENTH    BATTALION. 

Maj.  Rufus  O.  McEathorn,  com.  July  7,  1863,  m.  o.  Aug.  i,  1864. 
Surg.  Wm.  J.  McKim,  com.  May  14,  1861. 

FIFTEENTH     (REORGANIZED)     INFANTRY. 

Surg.  Wm.  J.  McKim,  com.  May  14,  1861,  hon.  disd.  Dec.  22,  1864, 

COMPANY    B. 

Sergt.  Waterman  Ells,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 
Sergt.  William  F.  Mall,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 
Corp.  John  D.  F.  Garner,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 
Corp.  Erastus  Denton,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864,  vet. 
Musician  Oliver  Seymour,  e.  Jan.  i,   1864. 
Allen,  William,  e.  Dec.  i,  1863. 
Beham,  John,  e.  March  i,  1864. 
Barden,  Geo.  R.,  e.   March  31,   1864. 
Barber,  Geo.  E.,  e.  March  31,  1864. 
Foreman,  Alfred,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 
Huffee,  John,  e.  Dec.  i,  1863. 
Hayes,  Martin,  e.  March  19,  1864. 
Heiser,  Henry,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 
Kinsman,  Richard,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 
Lawyer,  M.  A.,  e.  March  31,  1864. 
Maloney,  Michael,  e.  April  23,  1864. 
Mook,  Samuel,  e.  Dec.  5,  1863. 
Moist,  Ephraim,  e.  Dec.  24,   1863. 
Noble,  George  W. 

Preston,  Geo.  L.,  e.  March  31,   1864 
Potter,  Samuel. 
Shuler,    Thomas. 


254  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Stull,  James,  e.  Sept.  i,  1862. 
Starn,  Henry,  e.  March  31,  1864. 
Trepus,  Daniel,  e.  Sept.  26,  1862. 
White,  John  E.,   e.  March  31,   1864. 

COMPANY  c. 

Hotchkiss,  W.  N.,  e.  Dec.  16,  1863. 
Perry,  James  H.,  e.  March  17,  1862. 
Price,  William,  e.  Dec.  18,  1863. 
Staplin,  George  W.,  e.  April  i,  1862. 

COMPANY  E. 

Armstrong,  W.  W.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Hawkins,  John  H.,  e.  March  26,  1864,  died  Sept.  14,  1864. 

Luttig,  Henry,  e.  Jan.  I,  1864. 

Protexter,  Chris.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Prouse,  William  H.,  e.  Sept.  12,  1861,  m.  o.  Sept.  23,  1864. 

Page,  Chas.  S.,  e.  April  27,  1864. 

Pabst,  Charles  H.  C.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Steekle,  Ruben,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Smith,  William  H.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Steves,  Thomas  M.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Smith,  John  H.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Whitney,  George  W.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864,  disd.  March  27,  1865. 

COMPANY    G. 

Fessenden,  E.  A.,  e.  March  2,  1865. 
Gill,  Richard  H.,  e.  March  2,  1865. 

COMPANY   H. 

Fowler,  William,  e.  March  2,  1865. 

TWENTY-SIXTH    INFANTRY. 

The  Twenty-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service,  with  seven  companies  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  August  31,  1861, 
and  were  ordered  to  Quincy,  Illinois,  for  the  protection  of  that  place.  Not  hav- 
ing been  armed  the  regiment  did  guard  duty  with  hickory  clubs.  During  the 
autumn  the  regiment  did  guard  duty  on  the  Hannibal  &  St.  Joseph  Railroad,  and 
were  armed  with  old  English  Tower  muskets — Colonel  John  Mason  Loomis 
commanding  post  at  Hannibal.  Prior  to  January  i,  1862,  three  more  companies 
were  raised,  completing  the  organization.  February  19,  1862,  they  left  Han- 
nibal, Missouri,  for  the  south,  stopping  at  Commerce,  where  the  regiment  was 
assigned  to  Brigadier  General  J.  B.  Plummer's  brigade,  Brigadier  General 
Schuyler  Hamilton's  division,  Major  General  John  Pope's  corps.  They  arrived 
in  New  Madrid,  March  3,  and  were  engaged  in  action  there;  marched  to  Point 
Pleasant,  and  arriving  on  the  6th,  engaged  rebel  gunboats  with  sharp-shooters 
and  prevented  the  landing  of  the  enemy;  marched  to  intercept  the  flying  enemy 
from  island  number  ten,  and  assisted  in  capturing  many  prisoners.  After  re- 


HISTORY  OF  STErHFNSON  COUNTY  255 

maining  some  time  at  New  Madrid,  joined  an  expedition  against  Fort  Pillow; 
returning,  proceeded  up  the  Ohio  and  Tennessee  Rivers  to  Hamburg  Landing; 
took  part  in  the  siege  at  Corinth ;  May  8th  and  gth  were  engaged  at  Farmington, 
the  regiment  losing  five  killed  and  thirty  wounded,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Charles 
J.  Tinkham  was  among  the  wounded ;  Colonel  Loomis  commanded  the  bri- 
gade, and  General  Stanley  the  division.  May  28th,  engaged  the  enemy  one 
mile  from  Corinth,  the  regiment  losing  four  killed  and  twenty-five  wounded ; 
Major  Gilmore  was  wounded.  Company  G  of  the  Twenty-sixth  was  the  first 
to  enter  Corinth  on  evacuation  by  the  enemy ;  engaged  in  the  pursuit  to  Boone- 
ville,  and  returned  to  Clear  Creek,  four  miles  from  Corinth.  June  23d,  ordered 
to  Danville,  Mississippi,  where  we  remained  until  August  18,  1862,  at  which 
time  we  joined  the  brigade  commanded  by  Colonel  R.  C.  Murphy,  Eighth  Wis- 
consin, and  marched  for  Tuscumbia,  arrived  2ist;  September  8th,  with  Forty- 
seventh  and  Twenty-sixth,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Tinkham  commanding,  marched  to 
Clear  Creek;  September  i8th,  marched  for  luka;  igth,  were  engaged  with  the 
enemy  in  a  brigade  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  A.  Mower,  of  the  Elev- 
enth Missouri ;  the  enemy  evacuating  in  the  night,  we  joined  in  the  pursuit,  arriv- 
ing at  Corinth  October  3d,  and  participating  in  the  battle  of  Corinth ;  after  the 
battle  followed  the  retreating  enemy  as  far  as  Ripley.  Ten  days  afterward,  ar- 
rived again  at  Corinth,  where  we  stayed'  until  November  2d.  Marched  via  Holly 
Junction,  Holly  Springs  and  Lumpkin's  Mill  toward  Tallahatchie  River,  the 
enemy  being  fortified  on  the  south  side  of  the  river.  The  regiment  was  here 
detailed  to  guard  a  commissary  train  to  Hudsonville,  during  the  trip,  losing  two 
men  killed  and  two  wounded  by  guerrillas ;  ordered  to  Holly  Springs  for  guard 
duty;  thence  to  Oxford,  Mississippi,  where  we  remained  until  December  2Oth; 
ordered  to  Holly  Springs,  to  prevent  the  capture  of  that  place;  on  the  2ist 
reached  that  place,  the  enemy  having  fled ;  remained  here  during  the  year,  Colo- 
nel Loomis  commanding  the  post,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gilmore  as  chief  of 
outposts. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1863,  the  post  of  Holly  Springs  was  broken 
up  and  the  army  fell  back  to  La  Grange,  Tennessee,  where  the  regiment  was 
assigned  to  duty  as  provost  guard,  Colonel  Loomis  commanding  the  post.  Here 
it  remained  until  March  8th. 

March  3d  the  regiment  was  brigaded  with  the  Ninetieth  Illinois,  Twelfth  and 
One  Hundredth  Indiana,  Colonel  Loomis  commanding.  March  9th  the  bri- 
gade marched  from  La  Grange  to  Collierville,  Tennessee,  where  they  remained 
three  months,  engaged  in  fortifying  the  place  and  defending  the  railroad  against 
guerrillas  and  bushwhackers.  June  Jth,  left  Colliersville  for  Memphis.  The 
following  day  they  embarked  for  Haines'  Bluff.  The  regiment  subsequently 
went  into  camp  at  Oak  Ridge,  where  it  remained  until  after  the  fall  of  Vicks- 
burg.  On  the  afternoon  of  July  4th,  started  in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  forces 
of  General  Johnston.  The  siege  of  Jackson  was  marked  by  severe  skirmishing 
in  one  of  which  Captain  James  A.  Dugger,  of  Company  C,  was  instantly  killed 
by  a  round  shot  through  the  breast,  and  a  number  of  men  were  killed  and  wounded. 
About  the  22d  of  July,  began  the  march  back  to  Vicksburg,  and  when  the  troops 
crossed  Black  River  they  went  into  camp  for  the  summer.  September  28,  the 
encampment  was  broken  up  and  the  regiment  marched  into  Vicksburg  and  there 


256  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

embarked  for  Memphis,  where  it  arrived  on  the  7th  of  October.  Here  a 
few  days  were  given  for  the  purpose  of  outfitting  the  men,  preparatory  for  the 
long  march  across  the  country  from  Memphis  to  Chattanooga,  to  relieve  the 
besieged  army  of  the  Cumberland.  The  march  began  at  8  A.  M.,  October  nth; 
arrived  at  Bridgeport  November  i5th,  and  on  the  24th  and  25th  took  an  active 
part  in  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  losing,  in  killed  and  wounded,  one  hundred 
and  one  officers  and  men.  Among  the  officers  severely  wounded  were  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Gilmore,  Captain  James  P.  Davis,  Company  B. ;  Adjutant  Edward  A. 
Tucker  and  Lieutenant  William  Polk,  Company  B.  The  next  morning,  started 
before  daylight,  in  pursuit  of  the  defeated  and  flying  enemy ;  followed  them  to 
Ringgold,  Georgia,  burnt  the  bridges  and  destroyed  the  railroad;  then  turned  to 
make  the  march  of  two  hundred  miles,  without  supplies,  cooking  utensils,  camp 
equipage,  or  change  of  clothing,  to  the  relief  of  General  Burnside,  at  Knox- 
ville;  returned  to  Bridgeport  in  the  latter  part  of  December;  were  reclothed, 
paid  off,  and  marched  to  Scottsboro,  Alabama,  and  went  into  winter  quarters. 

January  i,  1864,  there  were  five  hundred  and  fifteen  men  present  for  duty 
of  whom  four  hundred  and  sixty-  three  re-enlisted  as  veterans.  Of  sixty- 
one  men  present  in  Company  K,  sixty  re-enlisted. 

January  i2th,  started  home  on  veteran  furlough.  At  the  expiration  of  fur- 
lough, returned  to  the  field  with  ranks  well  filled  with  recruits.  Arrived  at  old 
camp  at  Scottsboro,  March  3d,  and  remained  there  until  May  ist,  when  it 
started  on  the  great  Atlanta  campaign.  The  regiment  was  actively  engaged 
in  all  the  marches,  skirmishes  and  battles  which  finally  resulted  in  the  capture 
of  Atlanta.  On  the  3d  of  August,  a  detail  of  nine  hundred  men  was  made  on 
the  division,  to  charge  the  enemy's  skirmish  line.  The  charge  was  to  be  made 
over  an  old  field,  covered  with  high  grass,  a  distance  of  about  four  "hundred 
yards.  When  the  signal  was  given  the  men  started  on  a  keen  run  for  the  rebel 
works.  Private  John  S.  Wilson  of  Company  D,  Twenty-sixth  Illinois,  a  stout 
active  fellow,  outrun  the  rest,  and  suddenly  found  himself  alone  in  front  of  a~ 
rebel  pit,  which  had  been  concealed  by  the  tall  grass,  filled  with  seventeen  men 
and  a  commissioned  officer.  He  drew  up  his  musket  and  told  them  to  "fight  or 

run,  and  that  d d  quick."  All  surrendered  except  the  officer,  who  started 

to  run,  and  he  shot  him.  It  was  laughable  to  see  "Buck,"  as  he  was  called, 
marching  back  with  his  seventeen  prisoners.  By  order  of  General  Logan,  he 
retained  the  officer's  sword  and  a  fine  Whitney  rifle,  found  in  the  pit,  and  now 
has  them  at  home  as  mementoes  of  his  gallantry.  After  the  fall  of  Atlanta 
most  of  the  old  officers  were  mustered  out  at  the  expiration  of  their  term  of 
service.  Only  two  of  the  original  officers  remained,  one  of  whom,  Captain  Ira 
J.  Bloomfield,  Company  K,  was  made  colonel  of  the  regiment.  About  the 
same  time  the  fourth  division,  Fifteenth  Army  corps,  was  broken  up  and  the 
regiment  was  transferred  to  the  first  division  of  the  same  corps  with  which  it 
remained  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

The  regiment  did  some  hard  marching,  following  Hood  up  toward  Chatta- 
nooga, and  off  into  northern  Alabama ;  then  returned  to  Atlanta ;  were  paid  and 
reclothed,  preparatory  to  "marching  through  Georgia." 

The  twenty-sixth  were  engaged  in  the  action  of  Griswoldville,  siege  of  Sa- 
vannah, and  capture  of  Fort  McAlister.  A  short  time  after  the  fall  of  Sa- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  257 

vannah,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Beaufort,  South  Carolina,  and  remained 
on  duty  there  and  at  Port  Royal  Ferry  until  the  commencement  of  the  north- 
ward march  through  the  Carolinas ;  were  among  the  first  regiments  into  Colum- 
bia, and  were  hotly  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Bentonville.  Here  the  regiment 
was  ordered  to  carry  the  bridge  across  Mill  Creek,  which  was  strongly  guarded 
by  the  enemy.  The  regiment  charged  and  carried  it  but  lost  a  number  of  good 
men.  Sergeant  Smith  of  Company  K,  color  bearer,  was  charging  at  the  head 
of  the  column  across  the  bridge  and  was  shot,  the  colors  falling  into  the  stream. 
The  enemy  rushed  forward  to  secure  them,  but  Lieutenant  Webster,  with 
Company  E,  charged,  drove  them  back  and  saved  the  colors.  Colonel  Bloom- 
field  had  his  horse  shot  under  him,  and  narrowly  escaped  himself. 

Remained  at  Goldsboro,  North  Carolina,  a  few  days,  and  April  10,  began 
to  march  against  Raleigh.  Left  Raleigh  May  I  for  Washington,  via  Richmond ; 
participated  in  the  grand  review  at  Washington ;  transported  by  rail  to  Parkers- 
burg,  Virginia;  thence  by  boat  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  it  remained  in 
camp  until  July  20,  1865,  when  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  and  started  for 
Springfield,  Illinois,  for  final  payment  and  discharge.  July  28th  the  regiment 
was  paid  off  and  disbanded. 

The  regiment  had  marched  during  its  four  years  of  service,  six  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  thirty-one  miles,  fought  twenty-eight  hard  battles,  besides 
innumerable  skirmishes.  They  were  permitted  by  the  order  of  the  commanding 
general  to  place  upon  their  banners  "New  Madrid,"  "Island  No.  10,"  "Farming- 
ton,"  "Siege  of  Corinth,"  "luka,"  "Corinth  3d  and  4th  October,  1862,"  "Holly 
Springs,"  "Vicksburg,"  "Jackson,  Miss.,"  "Mission  Ridge,"  "Reseca,"  "Kene- 
saw",  "Ezra  Church,"  "Atlanta,"  "Jonesboro,"  "Griswoldville,"  "McAllister," 
"Savannah,"  "Columbia,"  "Bentonville.' 

Lieut.  Col.  George  H.  Reed,  com.  ist  lieut.  Co.  B,  August  28,  1861 ;  prmtd. 
capt.  May  17,  1864;  prmtd.  Maj.  June  6,  1865. 

COMPANY  B. 

Capt.  James  P.  Davis,  com.  May  28,  1861,  hon.  disd.  March  30,  1864. 

Capt.  Theodore  Schernerhorn,  e.  as  (  ?)  corp.  Aug.  15,  1861 ;  prmtd.  ist 
lieut.  May  14,  1863;  res.  May  14,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  David  Layser,  e.  as  corp.  Aug.  15,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  prmtd. 
ist  lieut.  June  6,  1865. 

Sergt.  William  Quinn,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  31,  1862,  disab. 

Sergt.  William  P.  Dursk,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861 ;  prmtd.  Q.  M.  Sergt.  vet. 

Sergt.  William  J.  Irvin,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  vet. 

Sergt.  Jonas  Andrew,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Corporal  James  P.  Winters,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  died  Oct.  10,  1862. 

Addams,  C.  H.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Buckley,  Daniel,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  H. 

Buckley,  Patrick,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  H. 

Buckley,  John,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  H. 

Berry,  Edwin,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864. 

Bentley,  William,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  disd.  July  16,  1862. 

Blake,  F.  W.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  L. 

Bear,  F.  H.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 


258  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Burns,  Francis,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  L. 

Butcher,  James,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  prmtd.  corp. ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  died  Oct. 
31,  1864. 

Burk,  John  J.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  18,  1864,  term  expired. 

Baker,  Philip,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  kid.  Farmington,  Miss.,  May  9,  1862. 

Bokof,  Harmon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  15,  1864;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Cornelius,  Samuel,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Cawley,  William,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  I. 

Choppy,  Charles,  died  May  31,  1864,  wds. 

Derling,  Isreal,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Dow,  Edward,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Doll,  Dogebert,  e.  Sept.  18,  1862. 

Fehr,  William,  e.  Oct.  10,  1864. 

Fleekson,  Peter,  e.  Feb.  7,  1864. 

Fannon,  Andrew,  e.  Nov.  3,  1862. 

Eastland,  A.  J.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  I. 

Eshlerman,  William,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  died  July  27,  1862. 

Eaton,  N.  H.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Frisby,  Julius,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  died  April  2,  1862. 

Forbs,  Nathan,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  28,  1864;  term  expired. 

Foster,  R.  J.,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864,  m.  o.  corp. 

Gold,  Charles,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  died  Jan.  9,  1864,  wd. 

Gartman,  Nicholas,  e.  Aug.  31,  1864. 

Gates,  Simon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  died  Sept.  17,  1863. 

Geiser,  John,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  died  Jan.  2,  1864,  wd. 

Garrison,  Freeborn,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  28,  1864;  term  expired. 

Greer,  John,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  13,  1864. 

Hennick,  William  H.,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Hunt,  A.  B.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  H. 

Heise,  John,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864,  died  Aug.  19,  1864,  wd. 

Henry,  John,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  I. 

Hoag,  Theodore  G.,  e.  Feb.  22,  1864,  disd.  Nov.  12,  1864,  disab. 

Hanson,  Christopher,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  disd.  July  12,  1862,  disab. 

Heise,  Aaron,  e.  Feb.  22,  1864. 

Haines,  Howard,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  Jan.  i,  1864  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Haines,  Garrison,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  28,  1864;  term  expired. 

Heller,  Jacob  E.,  Jan.  29,  1864. 

Hiatt,  William  W.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  I. 

Kane,  John,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  disd.  July  2,  1865. 

Kummerrer,  Tieghman,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  disd.  March  6,  1863,  disab. 

Kraymer,  William  H.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Keegan,  James,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  I. 

Kramer,  Benj.  F.,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

Kruntzler,  William,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861 ;  re-e.  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  m.  o.  as  corp 

Kouth,  Micheal,  e.  Aug.  16,  1862. 

Leonard,  Arthur,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  I. 

Lilley,  William  E.,  e.  Nov.  17,  1863. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  259 

Long,  William,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861 ;  died  at  luka  Aug.  28,  1862. 

Long,  John,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  disd.  Oct.  13,  1864;  term  expired. 

Long,  Jacob  H. 

Mieley,  Samuel  P.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  m.  o.  as  drummer. 

McCoy,  Lemuel,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  died  July  22,  1864,  wd. 

Messenger,  J.  C,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861 ;  prmtd,  corp.,  vet. 

Montague,  Patrick  F.,  e.  Aug.  18,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  kid.  April  30,  1864. 

Morris,  D.,  e.  Aug.  18,  1861 ;  died  May  29,  1864;  wd. 

Mallick,  Franklin,  e.  Feb.  13,  1864. 

Miller,  Bernard,  e.  Sept.  28,  1861,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  May  i,  1864. 

Miller,  A.  J.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864;  trans,  to  i47th  inf.  as  ist.  lieut.  Co.  G. 

Melody,  Thomas,  e.  Sept.  28,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Needham,  Dennison,  Sept.  8,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  I. 

Needham,  Thomas,  Sept.  8,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Nicholas,  Thomas,  Aug.  15,  kid.  at  Cornith,  Miss.,  Oct.  4,  1862. 

Paul,  V.  A.,  Aug.  15,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Robnett,  James,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  disd.  Jan.  13,  1863. 

Rice,  Frank,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864;  m.  o.  May  26,  1865,  wd. 

Robinold,  S.  J.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  died  May  22,  1862. 

Raymer,  Chas.,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

Reardon,  John,  e.  Sept.  8,  1861. 

Ryan,  James,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

Smith,  Peter  E.,  Sept.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  kid.  May  13,  1864. 

Smith,  Jesse  L.,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864. 

Stage,  Theo.,  e.  Sept.  8,  1861,  vet.  March  9,  1864. 

Sting,  Rasper,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864. 

Sigman,  Wilson,  e.  Sept.  8,  1861,  prmtd.  corp.  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Sumner,  James  R.,  e.  Aug.  19,  1862. 

Seiferman,  B.,  e.  Sept.  8,  1861,  died  Sept.  12,  1862,  wd. 

Schmidt,  John,  e.  Aug.  29,  1862,  kid.  Nov.  25,  1863. 

Sharp,  Harwood,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864. 

Schreader,  Frederick,  e.  Sept.  12,  1862. 

Sturdevant,  Jacob,  Jan.  i,  1862. 

Thompson,  John  F.,  e.  Sept.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  Aug.  28,  1864;  term  expired. 

Thompson,  Loren,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

Thompson,  Joseph  D.,  Sept.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  Aug.  28,  1864;  term  expired. 

Wishart,  Thomas,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  died  Nov.  27,  1863. 

Walkey,  Joseph,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  died  March  22,  1862. 

Wright,  N.  F.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  D. 

Walton,  John,  e.  Aug.  30,  1862,  kid.  March  7,  1865. 

Wertz,  C.  F. 

COMPANY    a 

First  Lieut.  John  Irvin,  com.  Aug.  31,  1862;  died  Oct.  6,  1863. 

COMPANY    H. 

Capt.  Chas.  F.  Wertz,  com.  2d  lieut.  Jan.  i,  1862;  prmtd,  ist  lieut.  Feb.  16, 
1862;  prmtd.  capt.  Aug.  22,  1863. 


260  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Capt.  Win.  W.  Allen,  e.  as  sergt.  Aug.  15,  1861 ;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Feb.   16, 
1863;  prmtd,  ist  lieut.    Aug.  22,  1863;  prmtd,  capt.,  delined  commission. 

Capt.  Robt.  Salisbury,  e.  as  corpl.  Nov.  i,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  prmtd. 
sergt.,  then  capt.  May  19,  1865. 

Sergt.  Chas.  H.  Edmonds,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861. 

Buckley,  John,  e.  Jan.   i,  1864. 

Beaury,  Albert,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Black,  John  F.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864,  died  Sept.  11,  1864,  wd. 

Black,  H.  L.,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864. 

Buckley,  Daniel,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Sept.  3,  1864;  term  expired. 

Buckley,  Patrick,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861,  dis.  July  11,  1862,  disab. 

Cross,  Hiram  A.,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864;  term  expired. 

Deagon,  Jos.,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Fye,  Daniel,  e.  Jan.  26,  1864. 

Fye,  J.  D.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Fye,  David. 

Grey,  Robt,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Heintz,  Micheal,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Hunt,  A.  B.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1861. 

Mayer,  John,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864;  term  expired. 

Rice,  A.  L.,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861,  died  Oct.  15,  1864,  wds. 

Reef,  Jos.  S.,  e.  March  23,  1864,  m.  o.  corpl. 

Rees,  Enos  S.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Rees,  John  M.,  e.  Jan.  31,  1865. 

Wertz,  Jacob,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861,  wd. ;  m.  o.  Dec.  2,  1864. 

Winters,  Abraham,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Winters,  Cyrus,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  absent,  wd.  at  m.  o.  of 
regiment. 

Wagoner,  Geo.,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.   i,  1864;  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of 
regiment. 

COMPANY  i. 

Eastland,  A.  J., died  Aug.,  1863. 

Blake,  F.  W.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Keegan,  James,  e.  March  12,  1864;  kid.  July  22,  1864. 

Leonard,  Arthur,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864;  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regiment. 

Ruff,  F.  C.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Reider,  Jos.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 


COMPANY  K. 


Allison,  W.  W. 

Cooper,  Wm.  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Sheppard,  Charles. 


FORTY-FIFTH    INFANTRY. 


The  Washburne  Lead  Mine  Regiment  was  organized  at  Chicago,  Illinois, 
December  25,  1861,  by  Colonel  John  E.  Smith,  and  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  as  the  Forty-fifth  Infantry  Illinois  Volunteers,  January  15,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  261 

Moved  to  Cairo,  Illinois,  February  i,  assigned  to  brigade  of  Colonel  W.  H.  L. 
Wallace  division  of  Brigadier  General  McClernand.  February  4  landed  below 
Fort  Henry,  on  the  Tennessee,  and  on  the  6th  marched  into  the  fort,  it  having 
been  surrendered  to  the  gun-boats.  February  nth  moved  toward  Fort  Donelson, 
and  during  the  succeeding  days  bore  its  part  of  the  suffering  and  of  the  battle. 
The  flag  of  the  forty-fifth  was  the  first  planted  on  the  enemy's  works.  Loss, 
two  killed  and  twenty-six  wounded.  March  4th  moved  to  the  Tennessee  River, 
and  nth  arrived  at  Savannah.  Was  engaged  in  the  expedition  to  Pine  Hook. 
March  2$th  moved  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  and  encamped  near  Shiloh  Church. 

The  Forty-fifth  took  a  conspicuous  and  honorable  part  in  the  two  days' 
battle  of  Shiloh,  losing  twenty-six  killed  and  one  hundred  and  ninety-nine 
wounded  and  missing,  nearly  one-half  of  the  regiment.  April  I2th,  Colonel 
John  E.  Smith,  of  the  Forty-fifth,  took  command  of  the  brigade.  During  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  the  regiment  was  in  the  first  brigade,  Third  Division,  Reserve 
Army  of  the  Tennessee  and  bore  its  full  share  of  the  labors  and  dangers  of  the 
campaign.  June  4th,  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  Third  Brigade,  and  moved 
toward  Purdy,  fifteen  miles.  On  the  5th,  marched  to  Bethel ;  7th,  to  Monte- 
zuma,  and  on  the  8th,  to  Jackson,  Tennessee,  the  enemy  flying  on  its  approach. 

During  the  months  of  June  and  July,  engaged  in  garrison  and  guard  duty. 
August  nth,  assigned  to  guarding  railroad,  near  Toon's  Station.  On  the  3ist, 
after  much  desperate  fighting,  Companies  C  and  D  were  captured.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  regiment,  concentrating  at  Toon's  Station,  were  able  to  resist 
the  attack  of  largely  outnumbering  forces.  Loss,  three  killed,  thirteen  wounded 
and  forty-three  taken  prisoners.  September  i/th,  moved  to  Jackson;  November 
2d,  to  Bolivar,  and  was  assigned  to  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Right  Wing, 
Thirteenth  Army  Corps.  November  3,  1862,  marched  from  Bolivar  to  Van 
Buren;  4th,  to  La  Grange,  and  was  assigned  to  Provost  duty;  28th,  marched  to 
Holly  Springs;  December  3d,  to  Waterford;  4th,  Abbeville;  5th,  to  Oxford,  to 
Yocano  River,  near  Spring  Dale. 

Communications  with  the  north  having  been  cut  off,  foraged  on  the  country 
for  supplies.  December  I7th,  notice  received  of  the  promotion  of  Colonel 
John  E.  Smith  to  Brigadier  General,  ranking  from  November  29th ;  December 
22d,  returned  to  Oxford ;  24th  moved  to  a  camp  three  miles  north  of  Abbeville, 
on  the  Tallahatchie  River,  where  the  regiment  remained  during  the  month. 
Mustered  out  July  12,  1865,  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  arrived  at  Chicago, 
July  15,  1865,  for  final  payment  and  discharge. 

COMPANY  B. 

Capt.  Thomas  J.  Prouty,  e.  as  private;  Aug.  30,  1861,  prmtd.  sergt;  prmtd. 
2d  lieut.  Nov.  29,  1862;  prmtd  ist  lieut.  Dec.  25,  1864;  prmtd.  capt.  July  9,  1865. 
Hollenbeck,  Chas.  H.,  e.  Aug.  30,  1861 ;  disd.  April  16,  1863,  wd. 
Prouty,  Elijah;  e.  Aug.  30,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  19,  1863. 
Cressler,  Alfred,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

COMPANY  c. 

Sergt.  Orrin  L.  Williams,  e.  Oct.  i,  i86i,-m.  o.  Dec.  24,  1864;  term  expired. 
Corp.  Ephraim  Percy,  e.  Oct.  2,  1861. 
Beaumont,  H.  E.,  e.  Oct.  7,  1861. 


262  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Foley,  Michael,  e.  Oct.  3,  1861. 

Green,  James  M.,  e.  Oct.  5,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Jordan,  James,  e.  Oct.  3,  1861,  disd.  March  2,  1862. 

Kepheart,  Isaac,  e.  Oct.  3,  1861,  disd.  for  disab. 

Lasier,  Silas  D.,  e.  Dec.  20,  1861. 

Mourn,  Andrew,  e.  Sept.  20,  1861,  reported  dead. 

Morrison,  John  H.,  e.  Oct.  i,  1861,  m.  o.  Nov.  20,  1864. 

Mitchell,  Robert  M.,  e.  Oct.  7,  1861. 

Mugley,  Geo.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861. 

McGrath,  Patrick,  e.  Oct.  i,  1861,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Stocks,  Jos.  e.  Oct.  9,  1861. 

Verly,  John,  e.  Oct.  5,  1861,  disd.  Jan.  31,  1863,  disab. 

COMPANY  D. 

McLaughlin,  Thos.  W.,  e.  Oct.  19,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  19,  1863;  m.  o.  July  12, 
1865. 

McLoughlin,  W.  T. 

Wilder,  Albert  A.,  e.  Oct.  19,  1861,  disd.  April  23,  1863,  diseb. 

COMPANY  E. 

Second  Lieut.  Chas.  F.  Dube,  e.  as  sergt.  Sept.  14,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d.  lieut. 
May  22,  1863;  term  expired  Dec.  25,  1864. 

Corp.  Samuel  R.  Machamer,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861,  disd.  May  2,  1862. 
Boop,  Wm.  H.,  e.  March  30,  1864. 

Brandt,  Abraham,  e.  Sept.  18,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  19,  1863;  m.  o.  as  corp. 
Boop,  Jacob,  e.  March  30,  1864. 

Bowersox,  Chas.,  e.  Sept.  18,  1861,  disd.  May  2,  1862. 
Dubs,  Henry,  e.  March  24,  1864. 
Frasher,  Wm.,  e.  Sept.  18,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864. 
Flickenger,  E.  O.,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864. 
Kiester,  Chris.,  e.  Sept.  18,  1861,  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 
Miller,  Henry,  e.  Sept.  7,  1861,  vet.  March  i,  1864. 
Spellman,  Thomas,  e.  Sept.  24,  1861,  m.  o.  Sept.  29,  1864;  term  expired. 
Wingard,  Jacob,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861,  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

FORTY-SIXTH    INFANTRY. 

The  forty-six  Infantry  Illinois  volunteers  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler, 
Illinois,  December  28,  1861,  by  Colonel  John  A.  Davis,  ordered  to  Cairo,  Illinois, 
February  n,  1862;  from  thence  proceeded  via  the  Cumberland  River  to  Fort 
Donelson,  Tennessee,  arriving  on  the  141)1  and  was  assigned  to  the  command  of 
General  Lew.  Wallace ;  on  the  1 5th  lost  one  man  killed  and  two  wounded ; 
i6th,  moved  through  the  works  and  to  Dover;  igth,  moved  to  Fort  Henry. 
March  6th,  embarked  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  where  it  arrived  on  the  i8th.  The 
regiment  was  now  in  Second  Brigade,  Fourth  Division,  and  Fourteenth  and 
Fifteenth  and  Forty-sixth  Illinois,  and  Twenty-fifth  Indiana,  Colonel  James  C. 
Veatch,  Twenty-fifth,  Indiana,  commanding  brigade,  and  Brigadier  General 
S.  A.  Hurlbut,  of  Illinois,  commanding  division.  In  the  battle  of  Shiloh  the 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  263 

46th  took  a  most  conspicuous  and  honorable  part,  losing  over  half  of  its  offi- 
cers and  men  in  killed  and  wounded  and  receiving  the  thanks  of  the  commanding 
generals.  Among  the  wounded  were  Colonel  John  A.  Davis,  Major  Dorn- 
blasser,  Captains  Musser,  Stephens,  Marble  and  McCracken;  Lieutenants  Hood, 
Barr,  Arnold,  Ingraham  and  Howell.  In  this  action  the  "Fighting  Fourth  Divis- 
ion" of  General  Hurlbut  achieved  a  reputation  for  bravery  to  which  it  added 
on  every  field  in  which  it  was  engaged  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Was  engaged 
in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  in  the  month  of  May.  June  2,  camped  six  miles  west 
of  Corinth;  on  the  loth  marched  to  the  Hatchie  River;  isth,  past  through  Grand 
Junction,  and  camped  three  miles  from  town;  24th  moved  to  Collarbone  Hill, 
near  La  Grange;  on  the  3Oth  moved  to  Old  Lamer  Church.  July  i,  marched  to 
Cold  'Water,  and  returned  on  the  6th;  on  the  i/th,  moved  toward  Memphis, 
marching  via  Moscow,  Lafayette,  Germantown  and  White's  Station,  and  camp- 
ing two  miles  south  of  Memphis  on  the  2ist  of  July.  August  27th,  engaged  in 
the  scout  to  Pigeon  Roost.  September  the  6th,  moved  from  Memphis  towards 
Brownsville ;  7th,  marched  through  Raleigh  and  Union  Stations ;  9th,  marched 
to  Big  Muddy  River;  nth,  via  Hampton  Station,  to  Danville;  I2th,  via  White- 
ville  to  Pleasant  Creek;  I4th,  via  Bolivar  to  Hatchie  River.  September  27,  all 
the  troops  on  the  river  at  this  place,  were  reviewed  by  General.  McPherson. 
October  4,  moved  toward  Corinth ;  5th,  met  the  enemy  at  Metamore.  The  forty- 
sixth  was  in  position  at  the  right  of  second  brigade  supporting  Bolton's  Battery. 
After  an  hour  of  shelling  by  the  batteries,  the  infantry  was  ordered  forward, 
and  at  a  double  quick,  advanced,  driving  the  enemy  across  the  river.  The  First 
Brigade  coming  up,  "Hurlbut's  Fighting  Fourth  Division"  advanced  and  drove  the 
enemy  from  the  field,  compelling  their  fight.  Colonel  John  A.  Davis,  of  the  forty- 
sixth  was  mortally  wounded  in  this  action,  and  Lieutenant  M.  R.  Thompson 
also  both  dying  on  the  roth.  After  the  battle  returned  to  Bolivar.  November 
3,  marched  to  La  Grange ;  28th,  -moved  to  Holly  Springs ;  3Oth,  toward  Talla- 
hatchie  River,  and  camped  near  Waterford,  Miss.,  where  splendid  winter  quar- 
ters with  mud  chimneys  and  bake  ovens  complete,  were  fitted  up  in  time  to 
move  away  from  them.  December  the  nth,  to  Hurricane  Creek,  and  I2th,  to 
Yocona  Station,  where  it  remained  until  December  22,  when  it  marched  to  Tay- 
lor's Station.  Van  Dorn,  having  captured  Holly  Springs,  marched  on  the  23d, 
via  Oxford,  to  Hurricane  Creek;  24th,  the  Forty-sixth  Illinois  and  Thirty-third 
Wisconsin  moved,  as  train  guard,  to  north  side  of  Tallahatchie  River;  26th, 
moved  camp  four  miles  nearer  Holly  Springs,  between  Waterford  and  Wyatt 
Stations.  January  6,  1863,  moved  to  Holly  Springs;  loth,  Fifteenth  and  Forty- 
sixth  Illinois  were  escorted  to  ammunition  train  to  La  Grange;  I3th,  marched 
to  Moscow,  where  it  remained  until  February  5,  when  it  moved  to  Lafayette. 
The  garrison  of  Moscow  was  First  Brigade,  Fourth  Division,  the  Forty-sixth 
and  Seventy-sixth  Illinois  of  the  Second  Brigade,  and  two  batteries ;  and  the 
garrison  of  Lafayette  the  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  Illinois  and  one  battery, 
Colonel  Cyrus  Hall  commanding.  After  rejoining  brigade  at  Lafayette,  marched 
on  the  gth  of  March,  via  Collierville  and  Germantown,  to  Memphis.  April  2-, 
1863,  engaged  in  the  expedition  to  Hernando,  and  returned  on  the  24th.  May 
13,  embarked  for  Vicksburg,  and  on  the  i5th,  landed  at  Young's  Point;  i8th, 
marched  to  Bower's  landing;  ipth  moved  to  Sherman's  landing;  2Oth  moved 


264  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

by  steamer  up  Yazoo  to  Chickasaw  Bayou ;  disembarked  and  moved  across  the 
swamp  to  the  bluff.  May  21,  proceeded  to  the  right  of  General  Grant's  army,  and 
were  then  ordered  to-  Snyder's  Bluff ;  24th,  marched  in  the  direction  of  Vicks- 
burg;  25th,  marched  to  the  extreme  left  of  the  line.  The  regiment  was  de- 
tailed on  picket  duty,  and  during  the  night  the  outpost,  consisting  of  five  com- 
panies of  the  regiment,  were  captured  by  the  enemy ;  104  men  and  7  officers 
were  captured,  70  escaping.  The  remainder  of  the  regiment  took  an  active  part 
in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg ;  July  5th,  moved  to  Clear  Creek ;  6th,  to  Bolton  Sta- 
tion; 8th,  to  Clinton;  gth,  to  Dickens'  Plantation,  where  it  remained  guarding 
train;  I2th,  moved  into  position  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  line  near  Pearl 
River;  engaged  in  the  siege  until  the  i6th,  when  the  enemy  evacuated  Jackson, 
after  which  the  regiment  returned  to  Vicksburg.  The  division  was  now  trans- 
ferred to  the  I7th  corps,  and  Brigadier  General  M.  M.  Crocker  assigned  to  com- 
mand. August  12,  moved  to  Natchez.  September  i,  went  on  an  expedition  into 
Louisiana,  returning  on  the  8th.  September  the  i6th,  moved  to  Vicksburg.  No- 
vember 28,  moved  to  Camp  Cowan,  on  Clear  Creek.  January  4,  1863,  the  Forty- 
sixth  was  mustered  as  a  veteran  regiment;  i2th,  started  north  for  veteran 
furlough ;  23,  arrived  at  Freeport,  Illinois ;  and  on  the  27th,  the  regiment  was 
furloughed. 

Col.  John  A.  Davis,  com.  Sept.  12,   1861,  died  at  Bolivar,  Tenn.,  Oct.   10, 
1862,  of  wounds  received  at  battle  of  Hatchie. 

Col.  Benj.  Dornblazer,  com.  adjt.  Oct.  n,  1861,  prmtd.  Major  Feb.  8,  1862, 
prmtd.  col.  Oct.  n,  1862,  brevt.  brig,  gen,  Feb.  20,  1865. 

Maj.  John  M.  McCracken,  com.  capt.  Co.  K,  Dec.  30,  1861,  prmtd.  maj.  Oct. 
n,  1862,  term  expired  Dec.  23,  1864. 

Maj.  Jos.  Clingman,  com.  capt.  April  24,  1862,  prmtd.  maj.  Dec.  23,  1864. 

Quarter  Master  Edwin  R.  Gillett,  com.  September,  1862,  res.  Oct.  5,  1864. 

Quarter  Master  James  B.  Wright,  com.  Oct.  5,   1864. 

Sergt.  Elias  C.  De  Puy,  com.  Sept.  23,  1861,  res.  Nov.  i,  1864. 

First  Asst.  Sergt.  Julius  N.  DeWitt,  com.  2d.  asst.  sergt.  March  5,    1864, 
prmtd.  ist  asst.  sergt.  Nov.  i,  1864. 

Chaplain  David  Teed,  com.  Oct.  11,  1861,  res.  Sept.  i,  1862. 

Sergt.  Maj.  Wm.  Swanzey,  e.  Dec.  1861,  disd.  May  29,  1862,  disab. 

Sergt.  Maj.  Henry  A.  Ewing,  disd.  Oct.  25,  1863,  for  promotion. 

Sergt.  Maj.  John  E.  Hershey,  disd.  Sept.  i,  1864,  disab. 

Sergt.  Maj.  Edgar  Butterfield,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  20,  1866. 

Sergt.  Maj.  F.  H.  Whipple,  trans,  from  nth  inf.,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865. 

Quarter  Master  Sergt.  James  Duncan,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861,  disd.  May  29,  1862, 
disab. 

Quarter  Master  Sergt.  Julius  T.  Weld,  m.  o.  June  20,  1866. 

Comsy.  Sergt.  E.  R.  Gillett,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861,  disd.  for  promotion  as  regi- 
mental quartermaster. 

Comsy,  Sergt,  W.  H.  Barnds,  vet.,  m.  o.  Jan.  20,  1866. 

Hospital  Steward  Thos.  Walcott,  vet. 

Hospital  Steward  Jos.  Chambers,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861,  disd.  August,  1862,  disab. 

Hospital  Steward  James  Steels,  disd.  March  i,  1864,  for  promotion. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  265 

Hospital  Steward  Thos.  J.  Allen,  vet.,  m.  o.  Jan.  20,  1866. 

Principal  Musician  Geo.  W.  Trotter,  vet.,  reported  dead  Oct.(?),   1865. 

COMPANY    A. 

Capt.  John  Musser,  com.  Sept.  10,  1861,  died  April  24,  1862. 

Capt.  Isaac  A.  Arnold,  com.  2d  lieut.  Sept.  10,  1861.  prmtd.,  ist  lieut.  April 
i,  1862.  prmtd.  capt.  Dec.  23,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  Wm.  O.  Saxton,  com.  Sept.  10,  1861,  prmtd.  2d  lieut.  Oct.  15, 
1861 ;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Dec.  23,  1864. 

Wm.  Reynolds,  e.  as  sergt.  Sept.  10,  1861,  prmtd.  2d.  lieut.  Oct.  15,  1861, 
prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Dec.  23,  1864. 

Second  Lieut.  Geo.  S.  Dickey,  e.  as  sergt.  Sept.  10,  1861,  prmtd.  2d.  lieut. 
April  i,  1862,  res.  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Second  Lieut.  Wm.  M.  Moore,  prmtd.  ist.  lieut.  Dec.  23,  1864. 

Sergt.  Horace  D.  Purinton,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  Dec.  12,  1863. 

Corp.  Daniel  M.  Hart,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  July  8,  1862,  disab. 

Corp.  Thomas  S.  Clingman,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  2,  1862,  wds. 

Corp.  Andrew  M.  Fellows,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  died  May  2,  1862. 

Corp.  Albert  M.  Lull,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  kid.  at  Shiloh. 

Corp.  Benj.  Musser,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  Nov.  24,  1862,  disab. 

Corp  Wesley  J.  Best,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet. 

Corp.  Q.  E.  Pollack,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  as  ist  lieut,  died  at  Mound  City  April 
9,  1862,  wds. 

Arnold,  A.  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  Sept.  4,  1862,  disab. 

Andrew  Wm.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863,  died  at  Duvall's  Bluff, 
Dec.  10,  1864. 

Andrea,  Jacob  D.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd. 

Ambrose,  DeWitt,  C.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Allen,  John  A. 

Allison,  Wm.  W.,  e.  Oct.  10,  1861,  died  March  16,  1863. 

Belknap,  C.  A.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Bruner,  Robt.  D.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864,  as  corpl.,  died  Oct.  6,  1864. 

Barrett,  Edw.,  e.  Jan.  25,  1864,  died  Aug.  12,  1864. 

Babcock,  James,  M.,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862,  disd.  Nov.  25,  1863,  for  promotion. 

Best,  Hiram  C.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865,  disd.  June  19,  1865. 

Bolander,  H.  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  25,  1862,  disab. 

Bates,  A.  J.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  July  9,  1862,  disab. 

Bolander,  Geo.  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863,  m.  o.  as  corpl. 

Best,  Robt.  T.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  died  Nov.  7,  1861. 

Barrett,  Chas.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  13,  1862,  wd. 

Best,  Wesley  J.,  e.  Dec.  22,  1863,  died  Aug.  19,  1864,  wds. 

Benter,  Martin,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  Nov.  14,  1862,  wds. 

Buss,  Hillery,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863,  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Cearn,  William,  e.  Sept.   10,  1861,  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Clingman,  Abner,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863,  m.  o.  July  14,  1865. 

Clingman,  Hiram,  e.  Sept.  10,  1862,  kid.  battle  of  Shiloh. 

Clingman,  George  R.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 


266  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Clouse,  Charles,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  died  Sept.  7,  1862. 

Clingman,  Charles,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Clingman,  John  T.,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865. 

Clingman,  William  M.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Cadwell,  Horace,  e.  Jan.  24,  1867. 

Clow,  Benjamin,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Clause,  William,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Deriges,  John  P.,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Daughenbaugh,  C.,  e.  Oct.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  8,  1865. 

Derrick,  James  E.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  May  28,  1862,  disab. 

Descaven,  D.  P.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  died  Sept.  22,  1862. 

Davidson,  George  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  April  28,  1863,  disab. 

Elliott,  John,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  kid.  bat.  Shiloh. 

Erley,  William  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,   1861,;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Evans,  Thomas  W.,  e.  January  5,  1854. 

Ellis,  Elias,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Faurer,  Robert  A.,  e.  Oct.  10,  1062,  vet. 

French,  D.  H.,  e.  Jan.  28,  1864. 

Ford,  William  D.,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Fellows,  George  E.,  e.  Feb.  27,  1864;  m.  o.  May  15,  1865. 

French,  S.  A.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  ( ?)  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Garrison,  D.  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Gibbons,  Thomas,  e  Sept.  10,  1861. 

Galpin,  Daniel  A.,  e.  Sept.    10,   1861 ;  term  expired. 

Gibbens,  William,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Garrard,  W.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865 ;  absent,  sick  at  m.  o. 

Glynn,  James,  e.  Jan.  25,  1864. 

Carman,  Lawrence  G.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Green,  Chris,  e.  Oct.  10,  1861. 

Hunting,  George  H.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864,  disd.  for  promotion  in  U.  S.  C.  H.  Art. 

Hartzel,  William,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863,  vet.,  absent  at  m.  o. 

Hart,  Joseph  E.,  e.  Jan  31,  1865. 

Hill,  John,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Hills,  H.  M.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Hoot,  John,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861;  kid.  at  Shiloh. 

Hunting,  Charles  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863 ;  disd.  July  14,  1864. 

Hollenbeck,  H.  W.,  me.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  May  3,  1862;  wd. 

Hunting,  William  A.,  e.  Sept  10,  1861. 

Hart,  James  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Holsinger,  William  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  April  I,  1862. 

Hoyman,  Henry,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Hadsell,  N.  A.,  e.   ( ?) ;  disd.  March  9,  1866. 

Hadsell,   A.  C.,—     — '-      — . 

Hart,  John,  e.  Aug.  30,  1862;  m.  o.  June  19,  1865;  as  sergt. 

Hart,  Thomas  J.,  e.  Aug.  30,  1862;  m.  o.  June  19,  1865. 

Hathaway,  Homer  H.,  e. ? . 

Joy,   Benedict,   e.    Feb.   20,    1864. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  267 

Jefferies,  Jos.  G.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  10,  1863 ;  absent  at  m.  o. 
Kemper,  Adam,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  ist  sergt.,  disd.  for  promotion. 
Krape,  Wm.  W.,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864. 
Law,  John  H.,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865. 
Lee,  L.  H.,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865. 
Miller,  I.,  e.  Dec.  23,  1863;  absent  at  m.  o. 
Moore,  George  W.,  e.  Jan.  25,  1863. 
Moser.  Wm.,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864. 
McAfee,  R.  L.  H.,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864. 
Musser,  Chas.,  e.  Jan.  31,  1865. 
Moser,  E.  A.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 
Morgan,  H.  A.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 
May,  Willard,  e.  Feb.  24,  1864,  died  May  18,  1864. 
McCarthey,  James  C.,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864,  vet. 

Moore,  Wm.  R.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863 ;  disd.  March  19,  1865, 
sergt. 

Miller,  H.  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet. 

Musser,  James,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1862. 

McHoes,  John,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

More,  Chas  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  died  April  2,  1863. 

Mason,  John  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  Nov.  24,  1862,  wd. 

Mack,  James  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Neil,  Wm.  R.,  e.  Feb.  20,  1864. 

Peck,  Theo.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  died  Jan.  8,  1862. 

Patten,  John,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  kid.  Shiloh. 

Plowman,  Charles,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Patten  Robert,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863,  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Parrish,  Pleasant,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  trans,  to  Co.  B. 

Peck,  A.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Nov.  12,  1864. 

Parker,  John.,  e.  Feb.  18,  1864,  absent  (sick)  at  m.  o. 

Rogers,  H.  G.,  e.  Oct.  10,  1861 ;  kid.  at  Shiloh  April  6,  1862. 

Reiniger,  Samuel  J.,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863. 

Rice,  M.  A.,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864. 

Ritzman,  John,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Rubendall,  D.  R.,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864,  m.  o.  June  10,  1865. 

Rudy,  John,  e.  Dec.  23,  1863,  m.  o.  May  22,  1865. 

Quiggle,  Robert  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863,  m.  o.  July  14,  1865. 

Ritzman,  Robert,  D.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Riem,  James,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863 ;  died  March  22,  1864. 

Rush,  John,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  Aug.  16,  1862,  disab. 

Rogers,  D.  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863,  died  Dec.  12,  1864. 

Rodimer,  Wm.  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  kid.  at  bat.  Shiloh. 

Rollins,  E.  W.,  e.  Sept.   10,  1861,  died  June  29,   1862. 

Smith,  C.  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Solomon,  John  C.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  May  8,  1862,  disab. 

Sheckler,  John,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Scovill,  Daniel  A.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863,  m.  o.  as  corps. 


268  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Sleight,  Samuel  A.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  May  8,  1862,  disab. 
Smith,  E.  W.,  Sept.  10,  1861,  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 
Scovill,  Nelson,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  died  April  18,  1862,  wd. 
Stephens,  James  N.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  died  May  9,  1862. 
Smith,  James  C.,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864. 
Scovill,  Alfred  B.,  e.  Jan.  25,  1864. 
Shadell,  Samuel  P.,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863. 
Shadell,  A.  C.,  e.  Oct.  30,  1863. 
Swartz,  John  L.,  e.  Oct.  30,  1863. 
Shellenberger,  John,  e.  Jan.  8,  1864. 
Sheets,  George  W.,  e.  Jan.  25,  1864, 
Sanborn,  Charles  G.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 
Sills,  Thomas,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Seidle,  Charles  H.,  e.  Dec.  23,  1863,  died  Nov.  20,  1864. 
Sherman,  Leonard. 
Tomlins,  John  W.,  Dec.  16,  1863. 
Taft,  Jos.  A.,  e.  March  4,  1865. 
Thompson,  L.  B.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1864. 

Taylor,  John  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863 ;  disd.  for  prom.  53d  U. 
S.  C.  I. 

Thompson,  James  M.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  April  i,  1862. 

Van  Brocklin,  James  M.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  December  22,  1863. 

Vincen,  Thomas,  e.  Sept.  to,  1861 ;  vet.  December  22,  1863. 

Walker,  John  /W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861. 

Winchell,  H.  P.,  e.  Sept.   10,   1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,   1863. 

Wieland,  John  M.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  Nov.  2,  1862. 

Woodring,  John  M.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861,  disd.  Nov.  22,  1862,  disab. 

Wilson,  Benjamin  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  Dec.  30,  1861. 

Whisler  John  B.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  Dec.  30,  1861. 

Wilson,  R.  P.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Waddell,  John  R.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Woodring,  U.,  e.  Feb.  27,  1864. 

Wall,  Thomas,  e.  March  21,  1865,  disd. 

Winters,  Darius,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862;  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 

Wetzol,  F.  F.,  e.  Feb.  17,  1864. 

Windecker,  William,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Waddell,  William  W.,  e.  Jan.  28,  1865. 

Woodring,  John  M.,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

COMPANY  B. 

Capt.  Rollin  V.  Ankeny,  com.  Sept.   14,  1861 ;  res.  Dec.  31,  1862. 

Capt.  William  J.  Reitzell,  e.  as  sergt.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut.  June 
10,  1862;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  July  10,  1862;  prmtd,  capt  Jan.  i,  1863;  term  expired 
Dec.  23,  1864. 

Capt.  Robert  F.  Cooper,  e.  as  sergt.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut.  Jan.  i, 
1863;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Sept.  27,  1864;  prmtd.  capt.  Dec.  23,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  Henry  Roush,  com.  Sept.  14,  1861 ;  res.  April  18,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  269 

First  Lieut.   Emanuel  Faust,  e.  as  sergt.   Sept.    10,   1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
July  10,  1862;  prmtd.  1st  lieut.  Jan.  i,  1863;  res.  Sept.  27,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  George  S.  Rousch,  e.  as  corp.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d.  lieut. 
Sept.  27,  1864;  prmtd  ist.  lieut.  Dec.  23,  1864;  res.  June  19,  1865. 

First  Lieut.  Thomas  B.  Jones,  e.  as  corp.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
Dec.  23,  1864;  prmtd.  first  lieut.  July  31,  1865. 

Second  Lieut.  Thomas  J.  Hathaway,  com.  Sept.  14,  1861 ;  res.  June  10,  1862. 

Second  Lieut.  Aaron  McCaley,  e.  as  private  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  prmtd.  2d 
lieut.  July  31,  1865. 

First  Sergt.  Thomas  J.  Hood,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  G. 

Sergt.  Robt.  Smith,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  G. 

Corp.  George  Cox,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  October  9,  1862,  wds. 

Corp.  Leonard  Shook,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  July  10,  1862;  as  sergt.  disab. 

Corp.  John  E.  Hershey,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  prmtd  sergt.  maj. 

Corp.  John  Y.  Haughey,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864;  m.  o.  May  30, 
1865. 

Corp.  J.  W.  Barker,  e.  Sept.  10,  1865;  disd.  Feb.  12,  1863;  as  private  disab. 

Corp.  Isaac  F.  Kleckner,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  June  14,  1862;  disab. 

Musician  Isaac  Bolander,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Musician  Casper  Long,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  G. 

Wagoner  Isaac  N.  Mallory,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Aug.  12,  1862;  disab. 

Ashenfelter,  Cyrus,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  Dec.  6,  1861. 

Arnold,  Adam,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Askey,  Samuel,  e.  Feb.  5,   1864. 

Arnold,  Charles,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Askey,  John  e.   Feb.  5,  1864. 

Andre,  Jacob,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  December  23,  1863;  trans,  to  Co.  A. 

Artley,  Abram,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864;  trans,  to  Co.  K. 

Alshouse,  Jacob,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Sept.  21,  1862;  disab. 

Ansberger,  S.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Barr,  John  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  prmtd.  sergt.  maj. 

Boyd,  Franklin,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Brenizer,  J.  K.,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Barker,  A.  J.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Dec.  28,  1863 ;  disab. 

Brayman,  E  P.,  e.  Dec.  26,   1863. 

Barker,  S.  S.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Bloss,  Joseph  L.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Bowen,  John  T.,  e.  Sept.  10.  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Bolender,  Jackson,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864. 

Bolander,  Aaron,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1864;  m.  o.  June  19,  1865. 

Burgess,  Solon  S.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  June  30,  1863 ;  disab. 

Bolander,  John  P.,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864. 

Bovver,  Charles  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  April  23,  1862;  wds. 

Butterfield,  Edgar,  e.  Sept.    10,   1861 ;  vet.  Dec.   1863  :  prmtd.  sergt.  maj. 

Collins,  Thomas,  e.  ? ;  trans,  from  ggth  111. 

Crawford,  Franklin,  e.  Sept.   10,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Sept.  9.  1864. 
Carroll,  Henry,  e.   Feb.  2,   1864. 


270  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Chambers,  Joseph,  e.  Sept.  10,   1861 ;  prmtd.  hospital  steward. 

Cooper,  George  W.,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864. 

Cantrell,  Joseph  T.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Decmber  23,  1863;  trans,  to  Co.  K. 

Clark,  Siias  W.,  e.  Dec.  16,  1863. 

Cooper,  A.  J.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Cade,  Charles,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Aug.  12,  1862;  disab. 

Chase,  L.  W.,  trans,  from  99th  111. 

Dubois,  William  W.,  e.  Dec.  26,  1863. 

Duncan,  O.  P.  e.  Jan.  26,  1865. 

Duncan,  James.  — ? — . 

Daniels,  Willis,  m.  o.  Jan.  8,  1866. 

Dougherty,  Geo.,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864;  disd.  Sept.  17,  1864;  disab. 

Ernst,  Jacob,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Eli,  Marion,  e.  Dec.  18,  1863;  trans,  to  Co.  K. 

Erb,  Ira,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  December  7,  1863;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Frankeberger,  Aaron,  e.  Feb.  22,  1864, 

Forbes,  A.  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Foster,  Geo.,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864. 

Frankeberger,  E.  B.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

From,  James,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Prize,  Henry,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  March  31,  1862. 

Gallagher,  H.  C,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863. 

Guiter,  Adam,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

George,  Wm.,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864;  died  Sept.  10,  1864. 

Gibler,  Hiram,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Sept.  9,  1864. 

Gibler,  Jos.  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1864. 

Hess,  Andrew,  e.  Feb.  4,  1865;  died  April  24,  1865;  wd. 

Henrich,  Cornelius,  e.  Sept.  10,   1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Hinies,  Jos.,  e.  Feb.  19,  1864. 

Hay,  John,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863 ;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Hartman,  H.  J.,  e.  Jan.  28,  1865. 

Hathaway,  H.  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  A. 

Hartman,  Jos.  W.,  e.  Jan.  24,   1865. 

Hathaway,  J.  J.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Hinds,  Erastus,  e.  Jan.  24,   1865. 

Hathaway,  Jas.  B.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  April  23,  1862;  disab. 

Hamilton,  Thos.,  trans,  from  99th  111. 

Hess,  Andrew,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Hofmerster,  Aug.  W.,  m.  o.  Oct.  9,  1865. 

Hill,  Langford,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Feb.   15,  1864. 

Hendrickson,  A.  m.  o.  Oct.  9,  1865. 

Henderson,  W.  J.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863;  m.  o.  July  15,  1865. 

Hartzel,  John,  e.  Oct.  13,  1864;  m.  o.  Oct.  12,  1865. 

Henderson,  Francis,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Henderson,  Francis,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863 ;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Hathaway,  Phillip,  e.  Jan.  30,  1864;  disd.  Dec.  31,  1866. 

Hoag,  Chas.,  e.  Sept.   10,  1861 ;  vet. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  271 

Howe,  James,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Hinds,  Erastus,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  July  30,  1862;  disab. 

Inman,  H.  L.,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

Johnson,  Wm.  T.  e.  Dec.  27,  1863;  died  June  17,  1865. 

Kaup,  Geo.  S.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  July  30,  1862;  disab. 

Kryder,  Jacob  N.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

King,  Edwin,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864. 

King,  Robt.,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864. 

Kerr,  Wm.  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  kid.  at  battle  of  Shiloh. 

Kellog,  E.  V.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  December  23,  1863;  died  Oct.  4,  1864. 

Lauck,  Jacob,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

Mingle,  D.  J.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

McKee,  Robert,  e.  Oct.  21,  1861;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Mather,  A.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

McKee,  David,  e.  Nov.  13,  1863. 

McElhaney,  Wm.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  April  4,  1862. 

Mogle,  Samuel,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

McCurdy,  Francis,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Mogle,  Jacob,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

Mitchell,  Norton,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

McCauley,  Isaac,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

Moses,  John  N.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Mitchell,  C,  trans,  from  99th  111. 

McLenahan,  George,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Mogle,  L.  W.,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864;  m.  o.  Oct.  21,  1865. 

Malory,  Daniel,  e  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Sept.  9,  1864. 

Mack,  Harry  A.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  June  15,  1862. 

Mallory,  John  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  May  17,  1862. 

McGinnis,  Jos.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  Sept.  28,  1862. 

Mingle,  John  H.,  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Nicholas,  John,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Nov.  7,  1862 ;  disab. 

Pentecoff,  Levi,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  December  23,  1863 ;  prmtd.  serg.  maj. 

Parrish,  P.  P.,  disd.  Feb.  3,  1863;  disab. 

Pieter,  John,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Pierce,  James,  e.  Dec.  9,  1863. 

Potter,  Francis,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861. 

Potter,  Julius,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  Feb.  6,  1862. 

Pierce,  James,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Nov.  n,  1862;  disab. 

Rockwell,  Charles  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  May  14,  1862. 

Rishel,  Daniel  L. 

Reed,  W.  D.,  e.  Jan.  27,  1864. 

Reed,  John  P.,  e.  Jan.  27,  1864. 

Runkle?  John  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Roush,  Henry,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864;  died  July  10,  1864. 

Seibold,  Calhoun,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864. 

Stottler,  Jacob,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  May,  1862;  wd. 

Skinner,  W.  W.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 


272  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Segin,  Theo.,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863. 

Snyder,  F.  M.,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863. 

Shaffer,  W.  F.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865;  m.  o.  June  20,  1865. 

Stanley,  John,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864;  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 

Shane,  Charles  N.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  July  26,  1863. 

Stone,  E.  L.,  e.  Feb.  9,  1864;  died  Nov.  27,  1864. 

Shane,  Thomas  J.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Sept.  9,  1864;  corp. 

Smith,  Henry,  trans,  from  99th  111. 

Sprague,  George  D.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Feb.  28,  1863;  disab. 

Taft,  H.  C.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Turrinzo,  Anson,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Thompson,  I.  E.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Tyler,  Dayton  D.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863;  trans,  to  Co.  D. 

Thompson,  Robert  S.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Tomlins,  J.  W. 

Van  Meter,  John  C.,  e.  Sept.  19,  1861 ;  disd.  July  7,  1862;  disab. 

Vocht,  Levi  S.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1864. 

Vinson,  George,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  7,  1863;  trans,  to  Co.  H. 

Vinson,  John,  e.  Jan.  8,  1864;  died  Aug.  12,  1864. 

Wilson,  George,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  April  30,  1862. 

Wunshel,  George,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864. 

Wright,  Charles  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Wohlford,  Franklin,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

Webb,  Oliver  P.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Wagner,  P.  R.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Wilson,  Henry,  m.  o.  Oct.  9,  1865. 

Yoder,  Andrew  B.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Zigler,  Miller,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864;  trans,  to  Co.  K. 

COMPANY  c. 

Capt.  Frederick  Khrumme,  com.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  res.  April  23,  1862. 

Capt.  Philip  Arno,  com.  ist  lieut.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  prmtd.  capt.  April  23,  1862; 
term  expired  Dec.  23,  1864. 

Capt.  Edward  Wilke,  e.  as  sergt.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  prmtd,  2d  lieut.  Sept.  29, 
1862;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Dec.  17,  1863;  prmtd,  capt.  Dec.  23,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  Harbcrt  Harberts,  e.  as  sergt.  Sept  10,  1861 ;  prmtd.   1st  lieut. 
April  23,  1862,  m.  o.  for  promotion  2d  Miss.  Dec.  17,  1863. 

First  Lieut.  Andrew  Ohlenheusen,  e.  as  private  Dec.  22,   1863;  prmtd.  2d 
lieut.  Dec.  17,  1863;  ;---.ntd.  ist  lieut.  Dec.  23,  1864. 

Second  Lieut.  Ad<  ;>  iiorchers,  com.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  res.  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Second  Lieut.  En    !  Neese,  e.  as  corp.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut.  March 
30,  1865. 

Sergt.  Adolph  Wa!';recht,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disa.  for  promotion  in  U.  S.  C. 
H.  art. 

Sergt.  Carl  H.  G  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Sept.  9,  1864;  term  expired. 

Sergt.  Ferdinand   '  e  tz,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Sept.  16,  1864. 

Corp.  Albert  Koch       e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  May  15,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY  273 

Corp.  Arnold  Rader,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Sept.  22,  1862;  disab. 

Corp.  Carl  Lipinski,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  March  19,  1864. 

Corp.  John  Ochxle,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Corp.  Peter  Steinmetz,  e.  Sept.  19,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863;  died  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Corp.  C.  Michealson,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Feb.  21,  1864. 

Musician  Conrad  Kahn,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  May  15,  1862. 

Musician  Albert  Stacker,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  July  3,  1862 ;  disab. 

Arens,  Peter,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Altmann,  Henry,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Abels,  Johann,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  September  14,  1864;  term  expired. 

Adams,  Geo.  W.,  trans,  from  gyih  111. 

Bauer,  Anton,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Burkhart,  John,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863. 

Berg,  Alfred,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Burkhardt,  A.,  e.  died  July  24,  1865. 

Berg,  Alfred,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Backes,  Jacob,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Benton,  John  L.,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864 ;  m.  o.  May  22,  1865. 

Bonn,  Jos.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861. 

Byrne,  Martin,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Barmington,  F.,  e.  Feb.  26,  1865. 

Baker,  Jacob. 

Bagger,  Heinrich,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  Oct.  15,  1862. 

Burkhardt,  A.,  e.  died  July  22,  1865. 

Bles,  Jacob,  e.  Dec.  20,  1863 ;  dis.  May  27,  1865. 

Cruse,  John,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861. 

Cohlstedt  Henry,  e.  Jan.  15,  1864. 

Christian,  John. 

Crueger,  Henry,  e.  Jan.  15,  1864. 

Dreesman.  Ubbo,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  April  n,  1864. 

Diller,  Michael,  e.  Dec.  25,  1861 ;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Durken,  N.  H.  Van.,  e.  Sept.  to,  1861 ;  died  April  25,  1862. 

Davis,  Philip. 

Dobble,  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Dede,  Henry,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Duitsman,  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Dennis,  Thomas,  died  Oct.  7,  1865. 

Denzing,  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd,  September  9,  1864;  term  expired. 

Dillin,  Michael,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Egnsen,  B.  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  May  19,  1862. 

Eickle,  Anton,  e.  Jan.  25,  1864. 

Esch,  J.  J.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861. 

Friday,  Philip,  e.  Jan.  28,  1864. 

Froning,  Herman,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Oct.  14,  1863;  disab. 

Farley,  Thomas,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  K. 

Friedman,  Valentine,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863. 

Freivert,  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Jan.  12,  1863 ;  disab. 


274  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Franz,  Safrin,  e.  Feb.  9,  1864. 

Foster,  John,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Frey,  Johann,  e.  Jan.  i,  1862;  died  at  Vicksburg,  July  5,  1862. 

Frewart,  Charles,  e.  Nov.   26,   1863;  died  Dec.   19,   1864. 

Giboni,  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  kid.  at  Bat.  Shiloh. 

Getz,  Andrew,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865. 

Gretzley,  Gottleib,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  April  26,  1862;  wds. 

Gasteger,  A.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Heeron,  W.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1864;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Hoebel,  Jacob,  e.  Jan.  29,  1864. 

Hasselmann,  Fred,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  kid.  at  Battle  of  Shiloh. 

Hofwimer,  Jos.,  e.  Jan.  18,  1864. 

Harberts,  Johann,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Feb.  4,  1863 ;  disab. 

Held,  Frederick. 

Hencke,  W.,  e.  Jan.  28,  1864. 

Heine,  Frederick,  Feb.  29,  1864;  kid.  July  8,  1864. 

Husenger,  O.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  May  5,  1862. 

Jaeger,  John,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Roller,  Johann,  e.  Sept  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Sept.  9,  1864 ;  term  expired. 

Roller,  William,  e.  Nov.  25,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Ruhlmeier,  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Sept.  13,  1864;  term  expired. 

Rohle,  Jacob,  e.  Dec.  26,  1863. 

Rraemer,  Jacob,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  July  19,  1862. 

KJock,  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  July  4,  1862. 

Rrueger,  Rlaas,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Feb.  5,  1863 ;  disab. 

Rrumme,  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  G. 

Rnock,  Harm,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  September  13,  1864;  term  expired. 

Rraemer,  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  May  26,  1862. 

Rnock,  Andreas,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  kid.  at  Shiloh. 

Rnoeller,  George,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Rauner,  Christ,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  June  19,  1862;  disab. 

Rohle,  Jos.,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864. 

Raemer,  George,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Rastler,  Nicholas,  e.  Jan.  26,  1864. 

Ruhler,  August,  e.  Jan.  29,  1864. 

Raubenberger,  P.  G.,  e.  Jan.  26,  1864. 

Rnecht,  Philip,  e.  Jan.  28,  1864. 

Rom,  Lewis,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Royn,  Frederick,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864. 

Roehler,  Fred,  e.  Jan.  30,  1864. 

Roller,  Fred,  e.  Jan.  27,  1864. 

Raemer,  George  N. 

Rleger,  George,  e.  March  2,  1865. 

Retlerer,  John,  e.  Jan.  1864;  died  Sept.  18,  1864. 

Rrueger,  Carl,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864 ;  died  Nov.  29,  1864. 

Latour,  Charles,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Lapp,  Aaron,  e.  Sept.  10,  1862 ;  died  May  4,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  275 

Ludicke,  Henry,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Lahre,  John,  e.  Dec.  18,  1863. 

Lahre,  Isaac,  e.  Dec.  26,  1863. 

Lahre,  Elias,  e.  Jan.  25,  1865. 

Long,  Charles  M.,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Long,  Jacob,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Leter,  Nicholas,  e.  Oct.  6,  1864;  m.  o.  Oct.  4,  1865. 

March,  James,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Mueller.  Gottfried,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Metzger,  Richard,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Nov.  7,  1862;  disab. 

Metzen,  Nielaus,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Marbeth,  Leons,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  kid.  at  Shiloh. 

Marks,  J.  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  kid.  at  Shiloh. 

Marks,  Marius,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  June  19,  1862;  wd. 

Meisencamp,  C.,  Feb.  15,  1864;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Miller,  R.  Wm.,  e.  Dec.  16,  1863. 

Miller,  Wm.,  e.  Dec.  18,  1863. 

Meise,  Comrad,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864,  drowned  Aug.  24,  1864. 

Miller,  Frederick,  e.  Feb.  7,  1862;  vet.  Feb.  12,  1864;  46th  I.  V.  I.  Co.  C. 

Neef,  Johann,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Sept.  4,  1862;  disab. 

Neef,  Hermann,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Sept.  13,  1864;  term  expired. 

Nurgen,  Jacob  Van,  e.  Oct.  29,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Nov.  12,  1864. 

O'Konas,  Cornelius,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

O'Konas,  Peter,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865;  died  June  12,  1865. 

Otto,  Charles,  e.  Jan.  25,  1865. 

Olthoff,  William,  e.  Oct.  29,  1861 ;  disd.  Oct.  20,  1864;  term  expired. 

Olnhausen,  Andreas,  e.  Oct.  29,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Plumer,  Johann,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Penning,  Wiard,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  Sept.  31,  1861. 

Perstin,  F.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Sept.  13,  1864;  term  expired. 

Polmann,  Albert,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Oct.  19,  1862,  as  corp. 

Prince,  Jacob,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865 ;  m.  o.  June  20,  1865. 

Peppering,  Chris,  e.  Oct.  29,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Raden,  John  Van,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Rebel,  Johan,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  kid.  bat.  Shiloh. 

Reichemeier,  C.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  January  r,  1862;  wds. 

Rader,  Arnold,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864. 

Romelfauger,  Jacob,  e.  Jan.  28,  1864. 

Borback,  Jacob,  e.  Feb.  26,  1864. 

Rach,  Ernest,  e.  Jan.  28,  1864. 

Rippberger,  John,  e.  Jan.  28,  1865. 

Reinecke,  Joseph,  e 

Restine,  George,  e 

Schneider,  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Dec.  n,  1862;  disab. 
Stohr,  John,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Nov.  13,  1862;  disab. 
Schmaltzhaf,  H.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  April  24,  1862;  wds. 
Steifenhofer,  M.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  Jan.  25,  1862. 


276  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Stober,  William,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.     December  22,  1863 ;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Steinhauer,  Jacob,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  May  24,  1862 ;  disab. 

Sclimidt,  Johann,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

Schvenstein,  Burkhardt,  e.  Feb.  9,  1864;  m.  o.  Jan.  20,  1866. 

Streeger,  Peter,  e.  Feb.  27,  1864. 

Stork,  Henry,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864. 

Schwartz,  H.,  e.  Jan.  26,  1864. 

Schneider,  A.  C.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1865. 

Seiferman,  L.,  e.  Feb.  2,  1865. 

Saur,  Julius,  e.  Feb.  i,  1865. 

Spies,  Jacob,  e.  Oct.  29,  1861 ;  kid.  Oct.  5,  1862. 

Schlueker,  H.  A.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864;  drowned  Aug.  26,  1864. 

Schneider,  Joseph,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Schroeder,  Frank,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863;  m.  o.  Oct.  3,  1865,  as  corp. 

Seidenburg,  Frederick,  e.  Oct.  29,  1861 ;  disd.  Feb.  7,  1862. 

Stoehr,  John,  e ,  disd.  May  31,  1865. 

Steffer,  Michael,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864;  m.  o.  June  7,  1865. 

Schroeder,  Charles,  e ;  m,  o.  June  7,  1865. 

Schweitzer,  John  Geo.,  e.  Oct.  29,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Thei,  Fredrich,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  died  May  9,  1863. 

Trivel,  W.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Vacopp,  Philip,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863;  died  May  21,  1864. 

Vollmer,  Gottleib,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  drowned  May  14,  1863. 

Weifenbach,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  July  10,  1862 ;  disab. 

Wolff,  Johann,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Weggenhausen,  Max,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Wagner,  H.  L.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864, 

Weik,  Louis,  e.  Jan.  26,  1864. 

Wagner,  W.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Wernick,  H.  A.,  e.  Jan.  18,  1864. 

Werner,  Jacob,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865. 

Wepel,  H.,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Wyarda,  Theodore,  e.  Feb.  13,  1864. 

Wunderlin,  Saver,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864;  m.  o.  May  22,  1865. 

Zeibrich,  Paulus,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  disd.  Nov.  23,  1862;  disab. 

COMPANY  D. 
(New  Company.) 

Capt.  James  W.  Crane,  com.  Feb.  3,  1864;  disd.  March  25,  1865. 

Capt.  Francis  O.  Miller,  com.  ist  lieut.  Feb.  3,  1864;  prmtd,  capt.  June  6, 
1865. 

First  Lieut.  Isaac  Bobb,  com.  2d  lieut.  Jan.  30,  1864;  prmtd,  ist  lieut.  June 
6,  1865. 

Second  Lieut.  Benjamin  F.  Hayhurst,  e.  as  private,  Dec.  24,  1863;  prmtd. 
first  sergt;  prmtd.  second  lieut.  June  6,  1865. 

Aurand,  John  J.,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863;  m.  o.  June  22,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  277 

Adams,  John  H.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Atkins,  Lewis  E.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Avery,  William  N.,  e.  Nov.  30,  1863. 

Brady,  Frederick,  e.  Oct.  10,  1864;  m.  o.  Oct.  9,  1865. 

Brown,  William  W.,  e.  Feb.  26,  1865. 

Brown,  John  W.,  e.  Oct.  25,  1864. 

Beswick,  A.  W.,  e.  Feb.  27,   1864. 

Bolick,  Henry,   e.   Dec.  26,    1863. 

Benton,  Levi,  e.  Dec.  n,  1863;  m.  o.  July  3,  1865. 

Bates,  A.  J.,  e.  Dec.  n,  1863;  disd.  Feb.  14,  1865;  sergt.  disab. 

Brown,  James  E.,  e.  Dec.  23,  1863 ;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Boyer,  George,  e.  Dec.  26,  1863. 

Belden,  Arthur,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863. 

Bentley,  William,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863. 

Bentley,  Lewis  D.,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863. 

Beck,  John,  e.  Dec.  20,  1863. 

Branard,  Benjamin,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863;  died  July  20,  1864. 

Bundy,  Ambrose  A.,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863. 

Bundy,  Christopher,  e.  Jan.  18,  1864. 

Bistine,  Daniel,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864. 

Qade,  Levi,  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Clark,  William  A.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Clark,  Charles  B.,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863. 

Clade,  Charles,  e.  Dec.  18,  .1863. 

Cook,  S.  M.,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863. 

Culling,  H.  P.,  e.  Dec.  25,  1863 ;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Cross,  Levi,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864. 

•Clark,  John,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864. 

Daugenbaugh,  John  N.,  e.  Dec.  5,  1863 ;  absent  sick  at  m.  o. 

Denton,  Levi  A.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Demer,  Levi,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864. 

Edgars,  William,  e.  Dec.  12,  1863. 

Eister,  Daniel  W.,  e.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Ells,  Lansing,  e.  Jan.  22,  1863;  died  May  14,  1862;  wds. 

Eshelmann,  M.  N.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Furray,  William,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Fiss,  Thomas  J.,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863 ;  absent,  sick  at  m.  o. 

Fogel,  John  D.,  e.  Dec.  n,  1863;  disd.  Sept.  28,  1864;  wd. 

Fry  Joel,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863. 

Felt,  William  W.,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863. 

Feltzer,  Christopher,  e.  Jan.  28,  1863. 

Flory,  John,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863. 

Gross,  Theo.,  e.  Feb.  2,  1865. 

Grissinger,  Wm.  B.,  e.  Dec.  n,  1863. 

Gardner,  Brayton,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Grimmel,  Wm.  D.,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863. 

Hurlburt,  R.  W..  e.  Dec.  29.  1863. 


278  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Hayden,  Luther  .,  e.  Dec.  25,  1863;  died  Jan.  5,  1865. 

Hammond,  Marion,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Hayhurst,  B.  F. 

Jones,  Robert  A.,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863. 

Johnson,  James  W.,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863. 

Kleckner,  John  P.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Kaley,  Jos.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Keller,  Henry,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Keohler,  John,  e.  Feb.  24,  1865. 

King  Henry,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863;  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Knight,  H.  R.,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864;  died  June  3,  1864. 

Kleckner,  Jacob,  e.  Dec.  15,  1863. 

Keeler,  Chris.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Lincoln,  Albert,  e.  Dec.  9,  1863 ;  disd.  July  7,  1864. 

Lightheart,  Warren,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Lee,  Samuel,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Leverton,  Isaac,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Luts,  Wm.,  e.  Jan.  14,  1864. 

Lenart,  Elias,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863. 

Melton,  L.  L.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Minnick,  N.,  e.  Dec.  26,  1863. 

Musser,  J.  W.,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863. 

Moorehouse,  W.  E.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

McGilligan,  Wm.  K.  P.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Maxwell,  Jos.  W.,  e.  Dec.  31 ;  died  Aug.  23,  1864. 

Mattingley,  James,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Messinger,  George,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863;  disd.  May  31,  1865. 

Messinger,  Wm.,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863. 

Mudy,  Geo.  W.,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864;  died  Oct.  9,  1864. 

Musser,  Raymond,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864. 

Mechamer,  A.  E.,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864. 

McGilligan,  Jos.  N.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Pangborn,  Geo.  E.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Parker,  Wm.,  e.  Dec.  31,  1864. 

Rush,  Jos.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Rush,  Emanuel,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Reed,  James  H.,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863 ;  trans,  to  Co.  E. 

Rogers,  M.,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864. 

Reed,  S.  A.,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864. 

Randal,  James,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863;  absent  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 

Shumaker,  John  A.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Simcox,  A.  R.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865 ;  died  Aug.  6,  1865. 

Stine,  John,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863 ;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Spitler,  W.  H.,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863 ;  m.  o.  as  corpl. 

Solace,  C.  L.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Shumaker,  George,  e.  Dec.  19,  1863. 

Scrambling,  Wm.  H.,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  279 

Spofford,  Ghas.  F.,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864. 

Tyler,  D.  D.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Sept.  22,  1865. 

Towl,  Henry  E.,  e.  Dec.  12,  1863. 

Vaughan,  O.  O.,  e.  Dec.  12,  1863. 

Verguson,  John  S.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Vance,  O.  C.,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864. 

Wagnor,  J.  P.,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863. 

Williams,  Edward,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Warren,  Wm.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863;  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Winner,  Jacob,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864;  disd.  Oct.  7,  1865. 

Wittenmeyer,  J.  H. 

Young,  Wm.,  e.  Dec.  n,  1863.  , 

Zerby,  Jacob,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864. 

COMPANY  E. 

Cassady,  John,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Demuth,  Fred,  e.  Jan.  28,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  9,  1865. 

Hammond,  A.  J.,  e.  Feb.  24,  1865.  > 

O'Neal,  Patrick,  e.  Feb.  16,  1864. 

Koin,  John  W.,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864. 

Law,  John  W.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Long,  Isaac,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Leslie,  Edw.,  e.  Jan.  28,  1865. 

Marion,  Jos. 

Moses,  Lewis. 

Moshier,  Lorenzo,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Peaslie,  Cornelius,  e.  Feb.  2,  1865. 

Phillips,  Chris. 

Reed,  I.  W.,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Reed,  James  H. 

Runkle,  John  D.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Rishel,  John  G.,  e.  Jan.  31,  1865;  m.  o.  May  27,  1865. 

Shane,  Wm.  E.,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Syler,  Peter,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Saxby,  Wm.  R.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Sidles,  Charles,  e.  Feb.  24,  1865. 

Springer,  David  S.,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865 ;  m.  o.  May  27,  1865. 

Shaw,  John  W. 

Trotter,  James,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Waddell,  W.  W. 

COMPANY  F. 

First  Lieut.  John  W.  Barr,  com.  Oct.   15,   1861 ;  m.  o.  for  promotion  2d 
Miss.  Nov.  22,  1863. 

Hays,  Thomas,  e.  Oct.  4,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Dec.  29,  1864. 
Hays,  James,  e.  Oct.  4,  1861. 
Otto,  Simon,  e.  Oct.  4,  1861. 
Gettich,  Aaron,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 


280  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Gross,  Josiah,  e.  Feb.  2,  1865. 

Hellman,  M.,  e.  Sept.  13,  1863 ;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Little,  Ira  G.,  e.  Sept.  8,  1863;  disd.  Sept.  5,  1864. 

Mallory,  James  C.,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  died  Aug.  10,  1862. 

Messenger,  Theo. 

Petty,  Stephen,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864. 

Stoll,  Frederick,  e.  Feb.  27,  1864. 

COMPANY  G. 

Capt.  William  Young,  com.  Oct.  15,  1861 ;  res.  April  12,  1863. 

Capt.  Robert  Smith,  e.  as  ist  sergt,  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut.  April  7,  1862; 
prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Oct.  6,  1862;  prmtd.  capt.  April  12,  1863;  term  expired  Dec.  23, 
1864. 

Capt.  Samuel  Buchanan,  e.  as  private,  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut.  Aug  n, 
1863;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  June  24,  1864;  prmtd.  capt.  Dec.  28,  1864;  res.  July  21, 
1865. 

Capt.  Daniel  D.  Diffenbaugh,  e.  as  private  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
June  24,  1864;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Dec.  28,  1864;  prmtd.  capt.  Sept.  5,  1865. 

First  Lieut.  Thomas  M.  Hood,  com.  Oct.  15,  1861 ;  killed  at  Shiloh. 

First  Lieut.  Moses  R.  Thompson,  com.  2d  lieut.  Oct.  15,  1861 ;  prmtd.  ist 
lieut.  April  7,  1862 ;  kid.  Bat.  Hatchie. 

First  Lieut.  Robert  Smith. 

First  Lieut.  Thomas  Allen,  e.  as  private  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut.  Oct. 
6,  1862;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  April  12,  1863;  res.  Aug.  n,  1863. 

First  Lieut.  Michael  J.  Cooper,  e.  as  private  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
April  12,  1863;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Aug.  n,  1863;  res.  June  24,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  Thomas  C.  Laird,  e.  as  private  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
March  30,  1865;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Sept.  5,  1865. 

Second  Lieut.  Thomas  E.  Joiner,  e.  as  private  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
Sept.  5,  1865. 

Sergt.  Swauzery,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861. 

Sergt.  Joseph  McKibben,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861. 

Sergt.  Joseph  Stamp,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  died  June  16,  1862. 

Sergt.  James  B.  Smith,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  Aug.  22,  1862;  private. 

Corp.  S.  E.  Hershey,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Corp.  Jos.  S.  Brown,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  died  April  28,  1862 ;  wds. 

Corp.  Thomas  Snyder,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861  ;  disd.  Dec.  n,  1862;  disab. 

Corp.  John  W.  Rowrey,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  June  21,  1862;  disab. 

Musician  James  Cole,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  Aug.  18,  1862;  disab. 

Albright,  William,  e.  Jan.  21,  1864. 

Aikey,  Abram,  e.  Jan.  28,  1865. 

Angle,  Luther,  e.  Jan.  31,  1865. 

Aikey,  Robert,  e.  Feb.  i,  1862;  kid.  bat.  Shiloh. 

Albright  Jacob,  e.  Feb.  I,  1862;  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Allison,  D.,  e.  Feb.  I,  1862;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Auman,  John,  e.  Feb.  i,  1862;  vet.  Jan  5,  1864;  disd.  March  12,  1865;  for 
promotion. 

Butler,  E.  M.,  e.  Jan.  9,  1865 ;  trans,  from  99th  Inf. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  281 

Bush,  William,  e.  Dec.  15,  1861. 
Baker,  John  M.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 
Baker,  Joseph,  e.  Jan.  25,  1865. 
Brubacker,  William  H.,  e.  Feb.  26,  1864. 
Beedy,  E.  K.,  e.  Feb.  27,  1864. 
Benton,  George,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864. 
Barfoot,  F.  R.,  e.  Feb.  24,  1865. 
Bordner,  Henry,  e.  Feb.  28,  1865. 
Bren,  Ferdinand,  e.  Feb.  27,  1865. 
Bellman,  John,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 
Boyer,  Owen,  e.  Feb.  23,  1865. 
Baker,  E.  H.,  e.  Aug.  30,  1862. 

Baker,  Solomon  S.,  e.  Feb.  26,  1864;  m.  o.  May  23,  1865. 
Brubacker,  Reuben,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  died  May  9,  1862. 
Beeler,  George  D.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  killed  Battle  Shiloh. 
Brown,  Win.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  June  30,  1863. 
Benton,  George,  e.,  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  Dec.  n,  1861 ;  disab. 
Bradshaw,  B.  H.,  e.  Oct.  8,   1861 ;  disd.   Sept.   12,  1862,  to  accept  promo- 
tion to  asst.  sergt. 

Baker,  Elias,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  24,  1863. 

Bates,  B.  L.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  died  July  12,  1862. 

Craig,  E.  W.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  June,  21,  1862;  disab. 

Cable,  Seth,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  24,  1863. 

Cable,  David,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Oct.  19,  1864. 

Clubine,  D.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  June  30,  1863. 

Clark,  Ezekiel  S.,  e.  Dec.  7,  1863 ;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Cable,  Wm.,  e.  Feb.  26,  1864. 

Cole,  John,  e.  Jan.  21,  1864. 

Chambers,  James  S.,  e.  Jan.  27,  1864. 

Campbell,  Richard,  e.  Feb.  2,  1865. 

Curtis,  H.  H.,  e.  Nov.  30,  1861 ;  disd.  Nov.  n,  1862;  disab. 

Christman,  F.,  m.  o.  May  22,  1865. 

Correl,  Daniel,  e.  March  9,  1865 ;  m.  o.  June  9,  1865. 

Driesbach,  Daniel,  e.  Sept.  10,  1864;  died  March  12,  1865. 

Drake,  Edward,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  m,  o.  Nov.  12,  1864. 

Daughenbaugh,  S.  A.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863 ;  disab. 

Dunn,  Thomas,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Davis,  Alfred,  e.  Dec.  9,  1863. 

Fiscus,  D.  W.,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864. 

Frisbie,  C.  G.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Frisbie,  Wm.  D.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Fehr,  Aaron,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Foster,  Harry,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861. 

Gage,  Isaac,  e.  Oct.  8,  1862. 

Groken,  S.  H..  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  died  April  6,  1862. 

Groff,  John,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864. 

German,  H.  C.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864. 


282  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Carman,  Wm.  A.,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864. 
Gardner,  John,  e.  Dec.  9,  1863. 
Goodrich,  Jerome,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 
Hathaway,  Earl,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  Jan.  4,  1863. 
Hulet,  Henry,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861. 
Hickle,  Elias,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  24,  1863. 
Helm,  (Wm.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  died  June  26,  1863. 
Hood,  Jos.  R.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  24,  1863. 
Hood,  Thomas  J.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861. 
Haughey,  Jas.  H.,  e.  Feb.  24,  1864. 
Hathaway,  Robert,  e.  Feb.  27,  1864;  m.  o.  July  i,  1865. 
Hains,  John  H.,  e.  Dec.  7,  1863. 
Haughey,  Samuel  J.,  e.  Feb.  22,  1864. 
Haines,  Wm.,  e.  Sept.  18,  1863;  died  Feb.  16,  1865. 

Hay,  Jonathan,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864;  disd.  March  30,  1865;  for  promotion  in 
United  States  army. 

Hall,  Thomas  W.,  m.  o.  Oct.  10,  1865. 

Howard,  Wm.,  e.  Dec.  7,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  K. 

Kittner,  George,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  died  April  12,  1862;  wd. 

Klontz,  George,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863;  m-  °-  Juty  *5>  1865- 

Kancke,  R.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  24,  1863. 

Klonez,  Peter,  e.  Feb.  19,  1864;  disd.  May  15,  1865;  disab. 

Krumme,  Henry,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  m,  o.  Sept.  13,  1864. 

Lee,  Ion,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Lee,  Isaac  S.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Larne,  John,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861. 

Linsley,  Newton,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863 ;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Long,  Casper,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  July  9,  1862;  disab. 

LaBell,  Peter,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  died  June  2,  1862. 

Law,  Rolandus,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Lowe,  Thomas  A.,  e.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Lapp,  Joseph,  e.  Feb.  i,  1865. 

Lahay,  James,  e.  Dec.  25,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  K.  , 

Loehle,  F.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1862;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Mayer,  Isaac,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Moothart,  P.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  May  9,  1862. 

Moothart,  John  F.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  died  Feb.  9,  1864. 

McLeese,  Robert,  e.  Jan.  21,  1865. 

Maker,  J.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863;  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 

McClintic,  John,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  March  17,  1863;  disab. 

Meinert,  C.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Nov.  12,  1861. 

McLaughlin,  Thomas,  e.  Dec.  15,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  K. 

McMurry,  J.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  May  20,  1863 ;  corp. 

McMurry,  Chambers,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  May  20,  1863;  corp. 

McMurray,  George,  e.  Feb.  I,  1864. 

Preising,  George,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864;  kid.  July  7,  1864. 

Petrick,  Paul,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  283 

Paul,  William,  e.  Feb.  i,  1865;  m.  o.  Jan.  20,  1866. 

Redinger,  Francis,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

Richards,  William  D.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Oct.  21,  1864. 

Richards,  Uriah,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Richmond,  Lewis  B.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Rubold,  Henry,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863 ;  disd.  March  8,  1865. 

Reiter,  W.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Nov.  12,  1864. 

Rutter,  Jacob,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861. 

Riddle,  Samuel,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864. 

Riddle,  Wm.,  e.  March  18,  1865;  trans,  to  99th  Inf. 

Raymer,  John  A.,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Raymer,  Wm.  H.,  e.  Feb.  27,  1865. 

Reirmeyer,  Henry,  e.  Dec.  15,  1861. 

Reatt,  Ed.,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862;  m.  o.  Aug.  8,  1865. 

Risshell,  Elias,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864;  m.  o.  Aug.  8,  1865. 

Steel,  James,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  prmtd.  hospital  steward. 

Shively,  John,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  died  April  23,  1863. 

Smith,  Wm.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864;  m,  o.  Jan.  20,  1866. 

Smith,  August  L.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  Dec.  11,  1862. 

Sindlinger,  Wm.  M.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  July  9,  1862 ;  disab. 

Schawb,  Thomas,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  Nov.  26,  1862;  disab. 

Smith,  Martin,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  5,  1864;  died  March  21,  1864. 

Sheffer,  Jacob,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  died  July  17,  1862. 

Sausman,  John  L.,  e.  Dec.  12,  1863. 

Springman,  Adam,  e.  Feb.  27,  1864. 

Sherman,  Leonard,  e.  March  4,  1865. 

Sindlinger,  William  M.,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Seely,  Orin,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865. 

Shinkle,  John  T.,  e.  Jan.  28,  1864;  died  Aug.  28,  1864. 

Stamm,  William  D.,  e.  Dec.  i,  1863;  died  at  Vicksburg,  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Shippy,  Joseph,  e.  Jan.  28,  1864;  died  Nov.  28,  1864. 

Shearer,  John,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864;  died  Sept.  26,  1864. 

Shirk,  Daniel  F.,  e.  Feb.  5,  1862 ;  vet.  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Stamm,  Amos  A.,  e.  Oct.  4,  1864;  m.  o.  July  i,  1865. 

Spooner,  Charles,  e.  Nov.  i,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  24,  1863. 

Smith,  E.  O.  W.,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864. 

Thomas,  William  H.,  e.  Feb.  23,  1865. 

Tool,  Eugene  T.,  Oct.  n,  1864. 

Tool,  A.  S.,  e.  Oct.  11,  1864;  m.  o.  Oct.  10,  1865. 

Thombleson,  Silas  W.,  e.  Oct.  4,  1864;  m.  o.  Oct.  5,  1865. 

Vore,  John,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  24,  1865. 

Ward,  Sidney,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863 ;  died  July  8,  1864. 

Williams,  Peter,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  22,  1863 ;  died  March  5,  1865. 

Wilson,  F.  T.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Wyre,  John,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  disd.  April  26,  1863 ;  disab. 

Wilson,  John,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Wentz,  Philip,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  24,  1863. 


284  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Walters,  Samuel,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Williams,  William,  e.  Jan.  28,  1864;  died  Dec.    14,   1864. 

Wolfanger,  Aaron,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865 ;  died  July  19,  1865. 

Wootan,  James  E.,  e.  Feb.  i,  1862;  vet.  Feb.  6,  1864;  disd. 

Weaver,  William,  e.  Dec.  15,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Dec.  5,  1864. 

Wike,  Peter,  trans.  Ind.  corps. 

Young,  D.  D.,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864. 

Young,  Robert  C,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Nov.  12,  1864. 

Young,  F.  M.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Oct.  19,  1864. 

COMPANY    I. 

Carter,  S.  E.,  e.  Oct.  16,  1861. 

COMPANY    K. 

Capt.  Wm.  Stewart,  com.  ist  lieut.  Oct.  15,  1861 ;  prmtd.  capt.  Oct.  n,  1862; 
term  expired  Dec.  28,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  Jos.  M.  McKibben,  e.  as  -  — ,  prmtd.  2d  lieut.  July  16,  1862; 
prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Oct.  n,  1862;  term  expired  Dec.  23,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  Louis  E.  Butler,  e.  as  sergt.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet.  prmtd.  ist  lieut. 
Dec.  23,  1864;  died  at  Salubrity  Springs,  La.,  Oct.  5,  1865. 

First  Lieut.  John  Wilson,  e.  as  corp.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet.  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
March  20,  1865;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Oct.  26,  1865. 

First  Sergt.  James  C.  Mallory,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  F. 

Sergt.  Oscar  H.  Osborne,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  disd.  July  27,  1862;  disab. 

Sergt.  George  Barton,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  disd.  Nov.  21,  1863;  disab. 

Corp.  Walter  G.  Barnes,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  disd.  May  31,  1862;  disab. 

Corp.  Benj.  R.  Feisbie,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Dec.  29,  1864. 

Corp.  T.  S.  Felton,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  died  March  17,  1862. 

Corp.  R.  C.  Hardy,  e.  Oct.  4,   1861 ;  disd.  Nov.  7,   1863;  disab. 

Corp.  E.  H.  Gardner,  e.  Oct.  7,  1862;  died  June  18,  1864. 

Corp.  Thos.  Woodcock,  e.  Dec.  26;  vet. 

Musician  Thos.  Slade,  e.  Oct.  4,  1861 ;  vet. 

Apker,  John,  e.  Jan.  2,  1865 ;  died  May  8,  1865. 

Artley,  A.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Artley,  Charles,  e.  Jan.  28,  1865. 

Allen,  Thomas  H.,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864;  prmtd.  hospital  steward. 

Butler,  James  A.,  e.  Oct.  4,  1861 ;  died  July  13,  1862. 

Berns,  Moses,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  disd.  May  25,  1862;  disab. 

Brown,  Geo.  F.,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  disd.  May  25,  1862;  disab. 

Brid,  Geo.  H.,  e.  Feb.  2,  1865. 

Barker,   Dudley,   e.   Feb.  2,    1865;   died   June    17,    1865. 

Brace,  John.  e.  Jan.   13,  1862;  died  May  22,   1862;  wds. 

Boyle,  L.,  e.  Jan.  21,  1862;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Baker,  John,  e.  Oct.  4,  1864;  m.  o.  Oct.  3,  1865. 

Babb,  A.  W.,  e.  Feb.  27,  1865. 

Butterfield,    Chas.    W.,    e.    Feb.    26.    1865 ;    absent,    sick    at    m.    o.   of    regt. 

Cramton,  Aaron,  e.  Oct.  4,  1861 ;  disd.  Sept.  9,  1862. 

Curran,  John,  e.  Nov.  20,  1861 ;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Carter,  S.  E.,  e.  Dec.  26;  trans,  to  Co.  A. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  285 

Cantrill,  J.  T.,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861. 

Cosier,  Ammon,  e.  Jan.  25,  1865. 

Canvill,  Calvin,  e.  Feb.  4,  1865. 

Coolidge,  Nelson,  e.  Jan.  25,  1864;  disd.  Oct.  5,  1864;  wds. 

Carroll,  Patrick,  e.  Feb.  23,  1864. 

Cade,  Alfred,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Daughenbaugh,  Wm.  J.,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet. 

Diemar,  Josiah,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet. 

Dodson,  Thomas  H.,  e.  Nov.  15,  1861 ;  died  June  i,  1862. 

Dillon,  George  W.,  e.  Feb.  19,  1864. 

Dillon,  Zachariah,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864. 

Decker,  Z.,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865. 

Devore,  Espy,  e.  Jan.  16,  1864;  disd.  Aug.  23,  1865. 

Dinsmore,  Wm.,  e.  March  27,  1865;  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 

Diller,  Michael,  e.  Dec.  25,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  C. 

Doan,  Jos.,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864;  died  May  28,  1864. 

Dobson,  Jacob,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864;  died  Oct.  30,   1864. 

Dolan,  John,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Ely,   Marion,  e.  Oct.   18,    1863. 

Flood,  Bartholomew,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865. 

Farley,  Thomas,  e.  Sept.  10,  1861 ;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Fry,  Conrad,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864;  m.  o.  June  19,  1865. 

Gibler,  H.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Gregsby,  Uriah,  e.  Feb.  13,  1864. 

Garrison,  I.  T.,  e.  Dec.  5,  1863. 

Gillespie,  P.,  e.  Nov.  5,  1861 ;  disd.  May  22,  1865;  disab. 

Gregsby,  W.  C.,  e.  Feb.  13,  1864;  m.  o.  June  12,  1865. 

Gregsby,  Samuel,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865. 

Hays,  Thomas  J.,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Hills,  E.  P.,  e.  Dec.  26,  1861. 

Hiatt,  John,  e.  Nov.  13,  1861 ;  disd.  Feb.  n,  1863,  as  sergt;  disab. 

Heiter,  Monroe,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Hartman,  Amon,  e.  Jan.  13,  1865 ;  m.  o.  July  17,  1865. 

Hand,  Barney,  e.   Nov.  30,    1861 ;  died  Dec.  23,   1861. 

Kinney,  Daniel,  e.  Nov.  7,   1861 ;  vet. 

Kessling  or  Keeling,  William,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet. 

Kamrar,  David,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Kraft,  Jacob,  e.  Feb.  5,   1864. 

Kelly,  Zebedee,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Keck,  H.  S.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1865. 

Kamrar.  Saul  H.,  e.  Jan.  13,  1862;  vet. 

Lamb,  Samuel  F.,  e.  No.  7,  1861 ;  vet. 

Latour,  Charles,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  C. 

Lahay,  James,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861  ;  vet. 

Lamb,  Samuel  D.,  e.  Jan.  22,  1865. 

Leibhart,  Henry,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Lower,  Reuben,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865. 


286  HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY 

Linscott,  Abram,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864;  m.  o.  May  31,  1865. 
Logan,  William,  e.  Jan.  21,  1864. 
Mishler,  Barton,  e.  Jan.  28,  1864. 
Miller,  John  H.,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863. 
Mullin,  D.,  e.  Feb.  16,  1864. 
McCay,  George,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 
Muffly,  Charles  T.,  e.  Jan.  28,  1865. 
McKibben,  James  H.,  e.  Jan.  27,   1865. 
Myron,  Thomas,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  died  June  12,  1862. 
Miller,  Aaron,  e.  Dec.  26,  1861 ;  died  June  6,  1862. 
Martin,  William  H.,  e.  Dec.  26,  1861. 
McLaughlin,  Thomas,  e.  Dec.  6,  1861 ;  vet. 
McKee,  Robert,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  B. 
McKinsom,  John  S.,  e.  Jan.  i,  1862;  m.  o.  Dec.  31,  1864. 
Miller,  A.,  Feb.  2,  1865;  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 
Mallory,  D.  C.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865 ;  m.  o.  June  23,  1865. 
McGuirk,  James,  e.  Jan.  i,  1862;  vet. 
Needham,  R.  N.  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet. 
Nicholas,  Charles  H.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 
Owen,  A.  R.,  e.  Jan.  22,  1864. 
Osborn,  O.  H.,  e.  Jan.  30,  1864. 

Patten,  Lawrence,  e.  Dec.  n,  1861 ;  disd.  March  7,  1862;  disab. 
Plotner,  Frank,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 
Quinn,  William,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864. 
Reber,  Levi  M.,  e.  Dec.  30,  1861 ;  vet. 
Reber,  M.  V.  B.,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861. 
Reagle,  Jacob,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  died  Oct.  26,  1862. 
Rutter,  W.  H. 
Rudel,  L. 

Read,  James  H.,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  disd.  Aug.  31,  1863,  for  promotion  in  U. 
S.  C.  T.   " 

Runner,  Z.  T.  F.,  Jan.  25,  1865. 

Richards,  Willam  D.,  e.  Jan.  30,  1865. 

Richards,  Levi,  e.  Jan.  30,  1865. 

Segin,  Theo,  e.  Dec.  26,  1861 ;  disd.  August  27,  1862;  disab. 

Shook,  Robert,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  disd.  Aug.  26,  1862 ;  disab. 

Snow,  A.  L.  F.  M.,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  disd.  Aug.  29,  1862;  disab. 

Scott,  George  W.,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864. 

Star,  F.  H.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Scott,  Isaac,  e.  Feb.  20,  1864. 

Shefry,  Levi  W.,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865. 

Sloan,  Thomas,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Shane,  Mathias,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Smith,  Charles,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865. 

Shane,  John  W.,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Sneely,  Lewis  Z.,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Shaffer,  Thomas  J.,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  287 

Sponage,  William,  e.  Feb.  2,  1865. 

Train,  L.  R.,  e.  Feb.  2,  1865. 

Winney,  Daniel,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Dec.  29,  1864. 

Thomas,  William,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Wagner,  William  N.,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet 

Wood,  Thomas,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet. 

Wardwell,  William  G.,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet. 

Warner,  D.  J.,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet. 

Walbridge,  Thomas,  e.  Dec.  26,  1861 ;  vet. 

Woodruff,  Isaac,  e.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  vet. 

Warner,  William  W.,  e.  Jan.  25,  1865. 

Willy,  Andrew,  e.  Dec.  10,  1861 ;  trans,  to  Co.  A. 

Withneck,  William,  e.  Feb.  7,  1862;  died  May  17,  1862. 

Winne,  Abraham,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865;  died  June  16,  1865. 

Watson,  Henry,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865. 

Zweifel,  Albert,  e.  Feb.  19,  1864;  m.  o.  as  crop. 

Zeigler,  Miller,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

Barker,  Jack,  e.  Feb.  27,  1865. 

Brown,  Charles  M.,  e.  Jan.  25,  1864. 

Butler,  B.  F.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Cable,  L.  M.,  e.  Feb.  22,  1864. 

Grossman,  George  W.,  e.  March  9,  1865;  m.  o.  June  29,  1865. 

Cochran,  D.,  e.  March  29,  1865 ;  m.  o.  May  21,  1865. 

Davis,  Philip,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865. 

Driggs,  John  A.,  e.  March  4,  1865 ;  m.  o.  May  21,  1865. 

Frund,  Julius  L.,  March  n,  1865;  m.  o.  May  23,  1865. 

Getlish,  Adison. 

Harkell,  William,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863. 

Helder,  John  W.,  e.  Oct.  3,  1864. 

Mareau,  Joseph,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Phillips,  C.  Y. 

Prain,  L.  R. 

Richardson,  James,  e.  March  9,  1865;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Richardson,  Joshua,  e.  March  9,  1865. 

Rishel,  Daniel  L.,  e.  Dec.  i,  1863. 

Sprader,  Charles,  e.  Jan.  31,  1865. 

Tegar,  or  Yeager,  John,  e.  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Umphreys,  A.  R.,  e.  Jan.  24,  .1865. 

Van  Buren,  George  E.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Weldon,  Sidney,  e.  Dec.  7,  1863. 

Wendecker,  William. 

William,  Thomas,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

SIXTY-SEVENTH   INFANTRY. 

(Three  Months.) 

COMPANY   H. 

Capt.  James  W.  Crane,  com.  June  13,  1862. 
First  Lieut.  Stephen  Allen,  com.  June  13,  1862. 


288  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Second  Lieut.  Alonzo  Hilliard,  com.  June  13,  1862. 

First  Sergt.  John  Stine,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Sergt.  James  R.  Baker,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Sergt.  Charles  A.  Dodge,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Sergt.  John  D.  Lamb,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Sergt.  H.  W.  Sigworth,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Corp.  O.  T.  P.  Steinmetz,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Corp.  Ambrose  Martin,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Corp.  Sidney  Robins,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Corp.  Hazilas  S.  Ritz,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Corp.  William  H.  Hoyt,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Corp.  William  H.  Butler,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Wagoner,  Jacob  W.  Pells,  e.  June  2,  1862: 

Armstrong,  John  T.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Allen,  T.  M.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Allen,  N.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Albright,  Harrison,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Adams,  Taylor,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Bitts,  Jacob,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Bollman,  George. 

Clark,  C.  H.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Cross,  T.  L.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Carpenter,  Horace,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Denure,  W.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Dryer,  Edward,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Davenport,  Lucius,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Denton,  Levi,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Evans,  L.  A.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Farley,  James,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Fain,  John  P.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Friedman,  V.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Fye,  Benjamin,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Fye,  Josiah,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Griffing,  D.  J.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Gilmore,  George,  e.  June  2,  i86e. 

Gafney,  Michael. 

Gundy,  A.  M.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Gates,  H.  H.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

George,  John  E.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Grant,  Smith  H.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Grant,  R.  C.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Hagart,  Sidney,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Hagart,  William,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Hustin,  William  T.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Hersey,  Daniel,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Jones,  Robert,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

Kelly,  Mathew,  e.  June  2,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  289 

Layr,  M.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Lauver,  George,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Leverton,  Isaac,  e.  June  2,  1862, 
Lee,  Samuel,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Lunt,  A.  M.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Linderman,  S.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Martin,  W.  H.,  e.  June  2,  1862.     . 
Martin,  A.  ].,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Maher,  Ed.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Mullen,  John,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Mock,  Henry,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Miller,  John  H.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
McEathron,  John  S.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Miller,  J.  C,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Messinger,  George,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Miller,  Zeri,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Pickard,  John  S.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Price,  William,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Phillips,  Reuben,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Rice,  David  E.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Stout,  Syrus,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Solace,  Chester  L.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Stewart,  Thomas  M.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Steckler,  Daniel,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Shoemaker,  George,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Van  Sickles,  John,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Walsh,  F.  A.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Williams,  George,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Warner,  Henry,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Walton,  A.  D.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 
Wulliams,  L.,  e.  June  2,  1862. 

SEVENTY-FIRST  REGIMENT. 

(Three  Months.) 

COMPANY    B. 

Capt.  Luther  W.  Black,  com.  July  22,  1862. 

Sergt.  W.  A.  St.  John,  e.  July  7,  1862. 

Sergt.  John  J.  M.  Brown,  e.  July  7,  1862. 

Corp.  Jas.  H.  Cox,  e.  July  10,  1862. 

Andre,  George  W.,  e.  July  2,  1862. 

Bunce,  Danforth,  e.  July  n,  1862. 

Barrott,  Marion. 

DeFrain,  Samuel,  e.  July  5,  1862. 

Durkee,  D.  M. 

Ells,  Wm.  A.,  e.  July  15,  1862. 

Gettig,  Aaron  M.,  e.  July  5,  1862. 


290  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Hicks,  James  R. 

Hoflinger,  Jacob,  e.  July  15,  1862. 
Klecker,  John  P.,  e.  July  14,  1862. 
Klouts,  John,  e.  July  7,  1862. 
Mitchell,  Levi. 

Ritzman,  Martin,  e.  July  8,  1862. 
Stites,  George  W.,  e.  July  10,  1862. 
Shippy,  Charles,  e.  July  7,  1862. 
Shinkle,  John,  e.  July  10,  1862. 
Snyder,  William  H.,  e.  July  14,  1862. 
Smith,  Ellis,  e.  July  14,  1862. 
Snyder,  John,  e.  July  12,  1862. 
Smith,  James  C,  e.  July  10,  1862. 
Stace,  J.  E.  W.,  e.  July  14,  1862. 
Stands,  Jos.  H.,  e.  July  5,  1862. 
Soliday,  Hy. 
Wilson,  Henry,  e.  July  14,  1862. 

SEVENTY-FOURTH    INFANTRY. 

Organized  at  Rockford  and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  Sep- 
tember 6,  1862.  Companies  G.  and  I.  were  from  Ogle  and  Stephenson  Coun- 
ties; all  the  rest  were  from  Winnebago  County.  Left  Rockford  September  27 
for  Jeffersonville,  Indiana.  Arrived  there  October  i,  and  moved  to  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  immediately.  Assigned  to  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  First  Brigade, 
Second  Division,  under  General  Buell.  Moved  from  Louisville,  October  7, 
and  was  in  the  battle  of  Chaplain  Hills,  Kentucky,  October  13,  from  there  to 
Crab  Orchard,  Kentucky,  pursuing  Bragg,  participating  in  many  skirmishes.  Re- 
turned from  Lebanon,  Kentucky,  October  25 ;  from  there  it  went  to  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  where  a  re-organization  was  effected,  under  General  Rosecrans,  De- 
cember 25,  received  marching  orders,  with  three  days'  rations.  Participated  in 
the  battle  of  Stone  River,  December  30-31,  1862,  and  January  i,  1863,  the  regi- 
ment losing  sixteen  men  killed  and  wounded.  Went  into  winter  quarters  at 
Camp  Little,  south  of  Murfreesboro,  and  were  engaged  in  numerous  raids  in 
the  surrounding  country.  Moved  from  winter  quarters  July  15,  was  in  the 
battle  of  Liberty  Gap,  July  20,  one  man  killed ;  was  engaged  at  Tullahoma, 
Tennessee;  from  here  it  was  ordered  to  Winchester,  Tennessee,  where  it  en- 
camped. Moved  August  20,  to  Stevenson,  Alabama.  Engaged  at  Chickamauga, 
September  18,  19  and  20;  lost  five  men.  The  regiment  on  the  latter  date  was  in 
charge  of  hospital  and  supply  trains,  arriving  at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Sep- 
tember 22.  While  here  it  had  very  short  allowances  until  November  22,  when 
they  participated  in  the  fight  of  Mission  Ridge,  November  25,  their  colors  be- 
ing the  first  to  pass  over  the  rebel  lines,  capturing  a  battery  of  four  pieces  at 
Bragg's  headquarters ;  loss  to  regiment,  six  privates,  Colonel  Jason  Marsh, 
wounded,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Kerr  wounded  in  the  arm. 

Returned  to  Chattanooga  on  the  26th,  and  marched  to  Knoxville,  Tennessee, 
to  relieve  General  Burnside,  and  then  went  into  winter  quarters  about  December 
13.  May  2,  1864,  it  joined  the  main  army  of  the  Cumberland  at  Chattanooga, 
where  it  arrived  on  the  3d;  on  the  5th,  marched  under  orders,  and  was  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  291 

battle  of  Rocky  Face,  or  Buzzard  Roost,  Georgia;  was  at  Resaca,  Georgia,  May 
14  and  15;  Calhoun,  May  17;  Adairsville,  Georgia,  May  18;  Dallas,  Georgia, 
May  25  to  June  5 ;  Lost  Mountain,  Georgia,  June  16 ;  was  in  the  battle  at  Kene- 
saw  Mountain,  Georgia,  June  20  and  June  27 ;  lost  fifty-two  men  and  six  com- 
missioned officers,  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  B.  Kerr  being  among  the  number. 
Battle  of  Smyrna ;  Camp  Ground,  Georgia,  July  4,  lost  sixteen  men ;  was  also 
at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  20;  Atlanta,  July  22,  and  was  continually  engaged 
until  the  battle  of  Jonesboro,  Georgia,  September  i,  1864,  and  Lovejoy  Station, 
September  2;  then  returned  to  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  where  it  was  assigned 
to  the  army  of  the  Tennessee.  Engaged  the  enemy  November  the  28th  at  Col- 
umbia, Tennessee;  Spring  Hill,  Nov.  29;  Franklin,  Tennessee,  November  30; 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  December  15  and  16,  following  Hood  to  Huntsville,  Ala- 
bama, fighting  him  all  the  time  until  he  crossed  the  Little  Tennessee,  and  then 
went  into  winter  quarters.  March  26,  1865,  it  marched  to  Bull's  Gap,  Tennessee, 
to  intercept  Lee,  leaving  there  April  17,  for  Nashville,  Tennessee,  where  the 
regiment  was  mustered  out  June  20,  1865.  Returned  to  Rockford  with  one 
hundred  and  fifty-seven  enlisted  men  and  thirteen  officers.  Colonel  Jason  Marsh 
was  at  the  head  of  the  regiment  until  about  January  i,  1865,  when  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Thomas  J.  Bryan  took  command. 

First  Asst.  Surg.  Chesseldon  Fisher,  com.  2d  asst,  surg.  Sept.  28,  1862; 
prmtd.  March  24,  1863,  surg.  75th  reg. 

COMPANY  i. 

Capt.  Wm.  Irvin,  com.  Sept.  4,  1862;  res.  Jan.  28,  1863. 

Capt.  Frederick  W.  Stegner,  com  ist  lieut.  Sept.  4,  1862;  prmtd.  capt.  Jan. 
28,  1863 ;  killed  in  battle  June  27,  1864. 

Capt.  Daniel  Cronemiller,  com.  2d  lieut.  Sept.  4,  1862;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Jan. 
28,  1863;  prmtd.  capt.  June  27,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  Edgar  Warner,  e.  as  sergt.  August  n,  1862;  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
Jan.  28,  1863;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  June  27,  1864;  disd.  Sept.  i,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  Robert  P.  Gift,  e.  as  sergt.  Aug.  14,  1862;  prmtd.  ist  lieut. 
June  27,  1864. 

Sergt.  Johnson  Porter,  e.  Aug.   14,  1862;  disd.  June  17,  1863. 

Sergt.  John  A.  Mullarky,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  June  28,  1864;  wd. 

Corp.  James  B.  Rowray,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  for  disab. 

Corp.  J.  Steward,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Corp.  Charles  Hunt,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  m.  o.  June  10,  1865. 

Corp.  Uriah  Boyden,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  Dec.  20,  1862;  disab. 

Corp.  Jacob  Kehm,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  for  disab. 

Hensey,  John,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disd.  June  16,  1864;  wd. 

Wagoner,  Wm.  Vere,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  March  4,  1863;  disab. 

Andrews,  Jacob,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Anderson,  Ole,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  March  31,  1863;  disab. 

Ashenfelter,  Franklin,  e.'Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  Dec.  6,  1862;  disab. 

Bellman,  Wm.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Dec.  14,  1862. 

Bener,  Jos.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  March  n,  1865. 

Benning,  Gottleib,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Bingman,  Robert,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  May  16,  1864. 


292  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Boos,  Wm.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  missing  in  action. 
Bokhoff,  Wm.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Boughton,  George  W.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 
Boughthampt,  Jacob,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  March  n,  1863,  disab. 
Bramin,  Edwin,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  disd.  June  27,  1863 ;  disab. 
Burrell,  Robert,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 
Clark,  Orla,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  missing  in  action. 
Cole,  Sidney,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Nov.  5,  1862. 
Ebling,  Peter,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 
Englot,  Gregory,  e.  Aug.  14,   1862;  m.  o.  June  10,  1866. 
Feeny,  John,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 
Feeney,  Henry. 

Ferico,  John,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  March  22,  1863. 
Flinn,  Jos.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Fuoss,  Daniel,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  March  7,  1865;  disab. 
Hensey,  Fred,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  in  battle  June  27,  1864;  corp. 
Henderson,  O.  P.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  July  18,  1863;  disab. 
Hultz,  Benj.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  Dec.  27,  1862;  disab. 
Inman,  Austin,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  died  June  27,  1864. 
Jennewine,  Thomas,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Jan.  2,  1864,  wd. 
Keagle,  Wm.  H.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Dec.  13,  1862. 
Keagle,  James  G.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  May  22,  1865. 
Keagle,  F.  B.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  trans,  to  U.  S.  Engs. 
Keller,  Adam,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Knudson,  Nels,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Nov.  26,  1862. 
Laber,  Levi,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  March  15,  1863;  disab. 
Lapp,  Samuel,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Jan.  5,  1863. 
Masmin,  Fred,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  kid.  June  18,  1864. 
McCarty,  Thomas,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd".  June  27,  1863;  disab. 
Miller,  Fredk.,  e.  Sept.  25,  1862. 

McGrane,  Peter,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  Dec.  18,  1862;  disab. 
Mullarkey,  Chas.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  Nov.  5,  1862;  disab. 
Mullarkey,  John,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  Nov.  5,  1862;  disab. 
Neidle,  Rudolph,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  m.  o.  as  corp. 
Miller,  Frederick. 

O'Mealy,  Patrick,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  m.  o.  as  corp. 
Oleson,  Talliff ,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  disd.  March  22,  1863 ;  disab. 
Peterson,  Elias  E.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  2,  1863;  disab. 
Richardson,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  March  26,  1863. 
Schoolcraft,  Whitney,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 
Seward,  John,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  prmtd.  corp.  then  sergt. ;  pris. ;  m.  o.  June 
27,  1866. 

Sheckler,  James  W.,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  12,  1863;  disab. 
Sheckler,  Thomas,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  Jan.  27,  1863;  disab. 
Snyder,  Perry,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  m.  o.  as  corp. 
Snyder,  Jackson,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  March  26,  1863;  disab. 
Stinson,  E.  H.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  trans,  to  36th  Inf. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  293 

Spaulding,  D.  G.,  e.  Aug.  g,  1862;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 
Spaulding,  A.  C.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  10,  1865;  disab. 
Tunks,  Alfred,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  July  6,  1863;  disab. 
Van  Valkenburg,  L.  H.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  kid.  June  27,  1864. 
Waggoner,  Jacob,  e.  Aug.   15,  1862;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 
Webb,  E.  Boone,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 
Winkle,  Fredk.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  m.  o.  June  10,  1865. 
Webster,  O.  B.,  e.  Sept.  30,  1864. 

NINETIETH   INFANTRY. 

The  Ninetieth  Infantry  Illinois  Volunteers,  was  organized  at  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois, in  August,  September  and  October,  1862,  by  Colonel  Timothy  O'Meara. 
Moved  to  Cairo  November  27,  and  to  Columbus,  Kentucky,  on  the  3Oth.  From 
thence,  proceeded  to  La  Grange,  Tennessee,  where  the  regiment  arrived  De- 
cember 2.  On  the  4th,  ordered  to  Cold  Water,  Mississippi,  where  it  relieved 
the  Twenty-ninth  Wisconsin  Infantry.  On  the  morning  of  December  20,  a 
detachment  of  Second  Illinois  Cavalry  arrived  at  Cold  Water,  having  cut  their 
way  through  Van  Dorn's  forces,  out  of  Holly  Springs.  Soon  after,  four  com- 
panies of  the  One  Hundred  and  First  Illinois  came  in  and  were  followed  by  the 
enemy  to  our  lines.  The  demonstrations  made  by  the  Ninetieth  deterred  the 
enemy  from  making  any  severe  attack,  although  he  was  4,000  or  5,000  strong, 
and  after  some  skirmishing,  he  withdrew.  The  regiment  was  mustered  out  of 
service  June  6,  1865,  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  arrived  at  Chicago,  June  12, 
1865,  where  it  received  final  pay  and  discharge. 

COMPANY  A. 

Barrett,  Patrick,  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Barn,  Michael,  Sr.,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862;  disd.  March  i,  1865;  disab. 
Broderick,  David,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862;  kid.  July  12,  1863,  at  Jackson,  Mississippi. 
Carroll,  John,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862. 
Caton,  Wm.,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862;  kid.  Nov.  25,  1863. 
Cranney,  Patrick,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862 ;  died  March  28,  1863. 
Crawley,  John,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  died  May  18,  1863. 
Foley,  James,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Kennelly,  Edward,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862;  absent  at  m.  o.  of  regt;  wd. 
McCormick,  J.,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862. 

COMPANY  G. 
McCarty,  Dennis,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  kid.  Nov.  25,  1863. 

COMPANY    I. 

First  Lieut.  William  Brice,  com.  April  7,  1865;  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Second  Lieut.  John  J.  O'Leary,  com.  Oct.  31,  1862;  res.  Feb.  I,  1863. 

Sergt.  John  Doogan,  e.  Aug.  16,  1862;  died  Sept.  2,  1864;  wd. 

Sergt.  William  Brice,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  prmtd.  lieut. 

Sergt.  Neil  O'Garrey,  Aug.  16,  1862;  died  Jan.  22,  1863. 

Corp.  William  Con  well,  e.  Aug.  16,  1862;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Corp.  Thomas  B.  Eagan,  e.  Aug.  17,  1862. 

Corp.  Elisha  N.  Strong,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  disd.  Sept.  4,  1863. 


294  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Brennan,  Edw.,  e.  Aug.  16,  1862. 

Burns,  Cornelius,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Coughlin,  John,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862. 

Cooney,  Francis,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Crawford,  John,  e.  Aug.  16,  1862;  died  June  18,  1864. 

Cane,  James,  e.  Aug.  g,  1862. 

Chichester,  Merit,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862;  disd.  March  13,  1864;  disab. 

Enright,  James,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Flanningham,  M.,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Frost,  H.  O.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Gallaher,  Charles,  e.  Aug.  16,  1862. 

Griffin,  Patrick,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Laughran,  James,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  died  Aug.  21,  1864. 

McAndrews,  M.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  disd.  April  16,  1864;  disab. 

McSweeney,  E.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862. 

Mclntyre,  Timothy,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Moynahan,  Anthony,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862. 

Mooney,  Thomas,  e.  Aug.  17,  1862. 

Moonahan,  John,  e.  Aug.  18,  1862. 

Moynahan,  John,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Mulhgan,  James,  e.  Aug.  17,  1862;  m.  o.  as  musician. 

O'Connell,  Daniel,  e.  Aug.  11,  1862. 

O'Conner,  Charles,  e.  Aug.  18,  1862;  died  Sept.  16,  1863. 

O'Brien,  Bernard,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Powers,  James,  e.  Aug.  16,  1862;  died  Sept.  14,  1863. 

Ryan,  John,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862. 

Wilkinson,  John,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Whalen,  M.,  e.  Aug.  16,  1862;  died  Aug.  21,  1864. 

NINETY-SECOND   INFANTRY. 

The  Ninety-second  Regiment  Infantry  Illinois  Volunteers  was  organized  at 
Rockford,  Illinois,  and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  September  4, 
1862.  It  was  composed  of  five  companies  from  Ogle  County,  three  from  Ste- 
phenson  County,  and  two  from  Carroll  County.  The  regiment  left  Rockford, 
October  n,  1862,  with  orders  to  report  to  General  Wright,  at  Cincinnati,  where 
it  was  assigned  to  General  Baird's  Division,  army  of  Kentucky.  It  marched 
immediately  into  the  interior  of  the  state  and  during  the  latter  part  of  October 
was  stationed  at  Mount  Sterling,  to  guard  that  place  against  rebel  raids,  and 
afterward  at  Danville,  Kentucky.  On  the  26th  of  January,  1863,  the  regi- 
ment with  General  Baird's  Division,  was  ordered  to  the  army  of  the  Cum- 
berland. Arriving  at  Nashville  the  command  moved  to  Franklin,  Tennessee, 
and  was  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  the  rebel  General  Van  Dorn.  Advanced  to 
Murfreesboro,  and  occupied  Shelbyville  June  27.  On  July  the  25th,  the  regi- 
ment was  engaged  in  re-building  a  wagon-bridge,  over  Duck  River;  July  6 
was  ordered  by  General  Rosecrans  to  be  mounted  and  armed  with  the  Spencer 
rifle,  and  attached  to  Colonel  Wilder's  Brigade  of  General  Thomas'  Corps,  where 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  295 

it  remained  while  General  Rosecrans  had  command.  The  regiment  crossed  the 
mountains  at  Dechard,  Tennessee,  and  took  part  in  the  movements  opposite  and 
above  Chattanooga,  when  it  recrossed  the  mountains  and  joined  General  Thomas 
at  Trenton,  Alabama.  On  the  morning  of  the  gth  of  September,  it  was  in  the 
advance  to  Chattanooga,  and  participated  in  driving  the  rebels  from  Point  Look- 
out, and  entered  the  rebel  stronghold,  unfolding  the  Union  banner  on  the  Crutch- 
field  House,  and  kept  in  pursuit  of  the  rebels.  At  Ringgold,  Georgia,  was  at- 
tacked by  a  brigade  of  cavalry,  under  command  of  General  Forrest,  and  drove 
them  from  the  town,  killing  and  wounding  a  large  number.  During  the  Chicka- 
mauga  battle,  the  regiment  took  part  in  General  Reynolds'  Division  of  General 
Thomas'  Corps.  In  April,  1864,  it  was  again  at  Ringgold,  Georgia,  doing  picket 
duty.  April  23,  Captain  Scovil,  with  twenty-one  men,  was  captured  at  Nicka- 
jack  Gap,  nine  miles  from  Ringgold,  and  one  man  killed.  Of  the  men  thus 
taken  prisoners,  twelve  were  shot  down,  and  six  died  of  wounds,  after  being 
taken  prisoners.  The  remainder  was  taken  to  Andersonville ;  and  very  few  ever 
left  that  place,  having  died  from  the  cruel  treatment  received  there.  From 
Ringgold,  May  7,  1864,  the  regiment  entered  upon  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and 
was  assigned  to  General  Kilpatrick's  command,  and  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Resaca,  raid  around  Atlanta,  Bethesda,  Fleet  River  Bridge  and  Jonesboro, 
one-fifth  of  the  men  engaged.  From  Mount  Gilead  Church,  west  of  Atlanta, 
October  i,  the  regiment  moved  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  operations  against 
Hood's  army.  At  Power  Springs  it  had  a  severe  engagement,  losing  a  large 
number  of  men  killed  and  wounded.  The  regiment  then  returned  to  Marietta, 
and  participated  in  the  various  engagements  and  skirmishes  in  Sherman's  march 
to  the  sea.  At  Swift  Creek,  North  Carolina,  Captain  Hawk,  of  Company  C, 
was  severely  wounded,  losing  a  leg.  The  regiment,  during  its  term  of  service, 
was  in  some  forty  battle  and  skirmishes.  It  was  mustered  out  at  Concord, 
North  Carolina,  and  paid  and  discharged  from  the  service,  at  Chicago,  Illinois, 
July  10,  1865. 

In  July,  1862,  President  Lincoln  called  for  300,  troops.  In  August,  the 
same  year,  he  directed  a  draft  of  300,000  more.  In  speaking  of  the  recruiting 
of  the  Ninety-second  Illinois,  General  Smith  D.  Atkins  in  the  History  of  the 
Ninety-second,  says: 

"Then  the  people  with  an  impulse  that  was  grand  took  hold  of  the  work  in 
earnest.  In  every  schoolhouse  in  the  three  counties  from  which  the  Ninety-sec- 
ond was  recruited  meetings  were  held;  the  fife  sent  out  its  shrill  notes  and  the 
drum  its  roll,  and  the  old  flag  was  displayed ;  the  harvest  hands  gathered  at  the 
meetings  after  their  days  of  toil.  Patriotic  songs  were  sung:  "We  will  rally 
round  the  flag,  boys,  rally  once  again,  shouting  the  battle-cry  of  freedom,"  and 
patriotism  took  up  the  refrain  and  answered  it,  "We  are  coming,  Father  Abra- 
ham, six  hundred  thousand  more."  Gray  haired  fathers  who  had  already  sent 
one  or  more  sons  to  battle,  attended  the  meetings  and  saw  their  remaining  sons 
enlist.  Many  who  went  only  to  hear  the  speeches  and  songs  were  touched  with 
the  prevailing  spirit  of  patriotism,  and  signed  their  names  to  the  msuter  rolls. 
Eloquent  speakers,  many  of  whom  did  not  say,  "Go,  boys,"  but  "Come  boys," 
told  the  story  of  the  nation's  peril.  Many  who  had  seen  the  battle's  terrible  car- 
nage and  were  not  dismayed,  were  ready  to  go  again  to  the  front,  and  elo- 


296  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

quently  plead  with  the  people  to  "fill  up  the  ranks  of  their  brothers  gone  be- 
fore." The  sacred  fires  of  liberty  were  kindled  in  those  meetings  and  the 
people  lifted  up  to  the  high  resolve  of  demonstrating  to  the  world  the  strength 
of  republican  government,  that  a  free  people  of  their  own  will,  with  courage 
sublime,  would  not  halt  in  a  battle  for  the  nation's  existence,  but  march  forward, 
filling  the  battle-broken  ranks  of  the  army  in  the  field.  It  was  in  these  meet- 
ings that  "party  was  sunk  in  patriotism."  No  one  who  witnessed  the  recruit- 
ing in  the  summer  of  1862  in  northern  Illinois,  will  ever  forget  it;  the  people  ral- 
lying from  the  harvest  fields,  leaving  the  ripened  grain  ungathered,  to  fill  the 
ranks  of  the  new  regiments.  It  was  grand,  beyond  all  powers  of  our  to  tell.  It 
was  thought  at  first  that  one  regiment  might  be  raised  in  the  counties  of  Stephen- 
son,  Ogle,  Jo  Daviess,  Carroll,  Winnebago,  Lake,  McHenry  and  Boone.  But  it 
was  found  that  four  regiments  and  three  companies  were  ready  to  muster  when 
finally  put  into  camp  at  Rockford." 

Major  Smith  D.  Atkins  had  charge  of  the  enlistments  in  Stephenson,  Jo 
Daviess,  Carroll  and  Ogle  Counties,  and  Major  Atkins  was  elected  colonel  of  one 
regiment  and  was  appointed  by  Governor  Richard  Yates,  the  War  Governor. 

Col.  Smith  D.  Atkins,  com.  Sept.  4,   1862;  prmtd,  brvt.  brig.  gen. 

Lieut.  Col.  Christopher  T.  Dunham,  com.  capt.  Co.  F,  Sept.  4,  1862;  prmtd. 
maj.  April  21,  1864;  com.  declined. 

Adjt.  Isan  C.  Lawver,  com.  Sept.  6,  1862;  res.  Oct.  i,  1864. 

Adjt.  Charles  C.  Treeguard,  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Co.  G,  Feb.  14,  1863;  prmtd. 
adjt.  Oct.  i,  1864. 

Quartermaster  Phillip  Sweeley,  e.  as  private  Sept.  3,  1861 ;  prmtd.  quarter- 
master June  4,  1864. 

Sergt.  Maj.  Noah  Perrin,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  25,  1863. 

Hospital  Steward  David  C.  Grier,  disd.  Dec.  6,  1862. 

COMPANY  A. 

Capt.  William  J.  Bellinger,  com.  Sept.  4,  1862;  res.  Dec.  25,  1862. 

Capt.  Harvey  W.  Timms,  com.  ist  lieut.  Sept.  4,  1862;  prmtd.  capt.  Dec. 
25,  1862;  trans,  to  Co.  I.  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

First  Lieut.  William  Cox,  com.  3d.  lieut.  Sept.  4,  1862;  prmtd,  ist  lieut. 
Dec.  25,  1862;  hon.  disd.  May  15,  1865. 

Second  Lieut.  William  H.  Frost,  e.  as  ist  sergt.  August  9,  1862;  prmtd.  2d 
lieut.  Dec.  25,  1862. 

Sergt.  Legrand  M.  Cox,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Jan.  27,  1865;  disab. 

Sergt.  W.  C.  Goddard,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  died  Nov.  7,  1862. 

Sergt.  Jesse  R.  Leigh,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Corp.  Charles  S.  Vincent,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862. 

Corp.  M.  P.  Eldridge,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  April  12,  1863;  disab. 

Corp.  Henry  Rudy,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  died  July  27,  1863. 

Corp.  William  W.  Smith,  e.  Aug.  11,  1862;  died  Feb.  17,  1863. 

Sergt.  George  Metcalf,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  died  March  3,  1863. 

Corp.  H.  Dusenbury,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  April  3,  1864;  disab. 

Corp.  Roswell  Eldrige,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Corp.  Daniel  Deneere,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Musician  George  Boop,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  297 

Musician  John  L.  Lower,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Wagoner  George  C.  Mack,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862;  kid.  Feb.  n,  1865. 

Armagast,  Hugh  S.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  died  Nov.  20,  1862. 

Armagast,  James  C.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Butler,  D.  W.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  April  8,  1865;  disab. 

Beach,  Jay  A.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Boddy,  William,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Baker,  William  H.  H.,  e.  Aug.  26.  1862;  disd.  April  13,  1863;  disab. 

Balliett,  D.  M.,  e.  Oct.  17,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Balliett,  Henry,  e.  Oct.  7,   1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Buchanan,  Charles,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865 ;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Baker,  Lambert,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  disd.  April  13,  1863;  disab. 

Basinger,  W.  H.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  disd.  Aug.  29,  1863;  disab. 

Beverly,  William  H.,   e.   Aug.    15,    1862. 

Babcock,  John  S.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  March  13,  1863;  disab. 

Babbitt,  C.  W.,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Baum,  S.  Y.,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862;  disd.  March  23,  1865,  as  corp. 

Churchill,  E.  S..  e.  March  22,  1864. 

Caldwell,  J.,    e.    Aug.    15,    1862;   m.   o.   as   corp. 

Churchill,  George  W.,  e.  Sept.  20,  1862. 

Cheney,  Chester,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Cheney,  M.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Cole,  W.  D.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  disd.  Aug.  9,  1863. 

Denure,  W.  J.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Demons,  John,  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  Sept.  23,  1864;  wds. 

Dunn,  Joseph  I.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  died  Sept.  23,  1864;  wd. 

Egleston,  Charles  W.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862 ;  disd.    May  26,  1865 ;  disab. 

Erb,  William,  e.  Aug.  9,  1863;  kid.  Dec.  4,  1864. 

Gaylord,  D.  C.,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862;  disd.  Sept.  9,  1863;  disab. 

Gaylord,  F.  H.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Gunsaul,  Joseph,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Giddings,  H.  M.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Gossman,  Charles,  e.  Aug.  13,  1864. 

Gelz,  Leonard,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862. 

Harshbarger,  Samuel,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864;  trans,  to  65th  inf. 

Hatch,  Wellington,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  died  Dec.  23,  1862. 

Hoppe,  Ernst,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Havnes,  W.  E.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Judson,  Cha?.  O.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  disd.  May  26,  1863;  disab. 

Johnson,  Geo.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  died  Feb.  27,  1863. 

Knox,  H.  B.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Mack,  H.  B.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Miller,  M.  R.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  died  Sept.  26,  1864. 

Moothart,  Wm.  P.,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864;  trans,  to  6sth  inf. 

Miller,  G.  D.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864;  died  May  26,  1865. 

McCarty,  Thomas,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865;  trans,  to  65th  inf. 

Merrill,  E.  A.,  e  .Aug.  13,  1862;  disd.  March  31,  1863;  disab. 


298  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Marshall,  Chas.  F.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 
McCracken,  John  H.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  sick  at  m.  o. 
Newman,  R.,  e.  Jan.  18,  1864;  trans,  to  65th  inf. 
Pickard,  Luther,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864;  trans,  to  65th  inf. 

Prouty,  Jas.  N.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  March  30,  1863,  to  enlist  in  naval 
service. 

Plase,  R.  R.,  e.  Aug.  11,  1862;  disd.  March  i,  1863;  disab. 

Pencil,  Wm.  L.,  e.  Aug.  11,  1862;  disd.  Sept.  u,  1863. 

Rand,  N.  A.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Reeder,  John  P.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Robbins,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  disd.  April  28,  1863;  disab. 

Richardson,  George  W.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862. 

Robins,  S.  L.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Stocks,  H.  W.,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864. 

Stover,  S.  G.,  Aug.  13,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Sweeley,  Philip. 

Thompson,  John  R.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862 ;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Tyler,  Dolphus,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  March  20,  1863;  disab. 

Tyler,  N.  C,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862;  m.  o.  June  14,  1866. 

Taylor,  James,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Tumbleson,  John  K.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Welden,  L.  A.,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862. 

Wright,  W.  W.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862,  sick  at  m.  o. 

Wickwire,  W.  H.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Wire,  Valson,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  8,  1863;  disab. 

Wire,  Jasper  A.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Withey,  Wm.  F.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  23,  1863;  disab. 

Williams,  A.  R.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  died  March  13,  1863. 

Wendling,  M.,  e.  Sept.  20,  1862 ;  sick  at  m.  o. 

COMPANY  F. 

Capt.  William  B.  Mayer,  e.  as  ist  sergt.  Aug.  2,  1862;  prmtd.  2d  lieut.  Dec. 
24,  1862;  prmtd.  capt.  April  21,  1864;  m.  o.  as  2d.  lieut. 

Second  Lieut.  William  C.  Dove,  com.  Sept.  4,  1862;  res.  Dec.  24,  1862. 

Second  Lieut.  Chas.  M.  Knapp,  e.  as  sergt.  Aug.  10,  1862;  prmtd.  to  2d.  lieut. 
April  21,  1864,  commission  canceled. 

Second  Lieut.  James  M.  Work,  e.  as  sergt.  Aug.  12,  1862;  prmtd.  2nd  lieut 
April  21,  1864;  m.  o.  as  sergt.  June  21,  1865. 

Sergt.  Samuel  G.  Trine,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  disd. 

Sergt.  George  Acker,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  disd.  March  20,  1863. 

Corp.  Charles  Purinton,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  died  Feb.  10,  1863. 

Corp.  E.  C.  Winslow,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Corp.  Harvey  Ferrin,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Corp.  J.  C.  Bigger,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862;  disd.  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Corp.  A.  Hemmenway,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862. 

Corp.  A.  H.  Ferman,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  disd.  April  27,  1864. 

Corp.  D.  R.  Voight,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862;  died  Feb.  6,  1863. 

Musician  Jacob  M,  Turneaure,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  299 

Musician  William  H.  H.  Turneaure,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862. 

Aurand,  Thomas  J.,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  kid.  Oct.  6,  1864. 

Aurand,  Joel,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862 ;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Allen  Hiram,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Anderson,  Charles  A.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  disd.  March  23,  1864;  disab. 

Adams,  B.  F.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  died  Aug.  25,  1863. 

Allard,  M.,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862. 

Allard,  Stephen,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862. 

Atkins,  John  C,  e.-Feb.  8,  1864;  disd.  March  30,  1865. 

Atkins,  George  G.,  disd.  Feb.  3,  1863. 

Baker,  P.  G.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862 ;  captd.  June  22,  1864. 

Buckman,  Z.  S.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Burgess,  D.  R.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  trans,  to  Elliet's  Ram  Fleet. 

Branenger,  D.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Babb,  D.  P.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Berry,  John,  e.  Aug.  19,  1862. 

Baker,  Elmus,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Bentley,  N.  S.,  e.  Jan.  29,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Colby,  A.  H.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Colton,  John,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  14,  1864. 

Cuff,  John,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Clark,  Thomas,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Clark,  S.  J.,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Countryman,  Adam,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864;  kid.  Oct.  28,  1864. 

Dummal,  H.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Engleman,  Solomon,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Engleman,  Jacob,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Eaton,  Urias  H.,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862;  disd.  March  29,  1863. 

Fox,  James,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Friery,  John,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  died  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Fox,  Henry,  e.  Oct.  10,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Grier,  David  C. 

Giddlings,  Luther,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Gregory,  John,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Holmes,  Spencer,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  23,  1863. 

Hoy,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Hetherton,  James,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Haum,  Valentine,  e,  Aug.  II,  1862;  died  Jan.  10,  1863. 

Hodgess,  James  P.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864;  m.  o.  Oct.  9,  1864,  for  promotion. 

Krotzer,  Jacob,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Kester,  Asa,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Feb.  28,  1863. 

Lambert,  E.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Nov.  13,  1863. 

Lambert,  Jere,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Long,  Benj.  F.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Jan.  30,  1863. 

Long,  Jonathan,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862. 

Lamme,  Jacob,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862. 

Mitchell,  O.  J.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  Feb.  17,  1863. 


300  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Miller,  A.  W.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Mowry,  John,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864,  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Morris,  Wellington,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Metz,  L.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Marl,  George  E.,  e,  Aug.  10,  1862. 

McNeal,  Thomas,  e.  Oct.  10,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Owen,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Pope,  Wm.  W.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862. 

Preston,  Charles  A.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862. 

Penticoff,  Daniel,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862. 

Penticoff,  Samuel,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862 ;  trans,  to  inv. 

Pope,  Abraham,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Petermire,  Fred,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862. 

Reese,  A.  G.,  e.  Feb.  18,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Reese,  W.  H.  S.,  e.  Feb.  24,  1865;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Rodgers,  Edw.,  e.  Oct.  10,  1862 ;  died  Feb.  28,  1863. 

Sanders,  James,  e.  Aug.  30,  1862. 

Sager,  Conrad,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Sedam,  L.  H.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Small  wood,  James,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862. 

Schlott,  John  H.,  e.  Jan.  23,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Sweet,  Noah,  e.  Oct.  10,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Sweet,  M.  A.,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863 ;  disd. 

Truckemiller,  E.  G.,  e.  Aug.  19,  1862. 

Thompson,  George,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Oct.  n,  1863. 

Tarbert,  Andrew,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  died  June  18,  1863. 

Thomas,  E.,  e.  Aug.  29,  1863 ;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Ventevier,  George  W.,  e.  Feb.  26,  1864, 

Wilson,  John  A.,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862. 

Work,  W.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Wilcoxen,  O.  D.,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864;  died  June  5,  1865. 

Williams,  F.  J.,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864. 

Whiteside,  Thomas  F.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  died  Feb.  20,  1863. 

Whiting,  Warren,  e.  Aug  12,  1862. 

Wright,  William,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  died  Feb.  21,  1863. 

Young,  Elias,  e.  Aug.  15,  1863. 

COMPANY  G. 

Capt.  John  M.  Schermerhorne,  com.  Sept.  4,  1862. 

First  Lieut.  John  Gishwiller,  com.  Sept.  4,  1862;  res.  Feb  .14,  1863. 

First  Lieut.  Harry  G.  Fowler,  e.  as  sergt.  Aug.  9,  1862;  prmtd  ist  lieut.  May 
10,  1865. 

Second  Lieut.  Justin  N.  Parker,  com.  Sept.  4,  1862;  res.  Feb.  6,  1863. 

Second  Lieut.  W.  McCammon,  e.  as  sergt.  Aug.  9,  1862;  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
Feb.  6,  1863. 

Sergt.  Noah  Perrin. 

First  Sergt.  Charles  C.  Fragard,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862 ;  prmtd.  lieut. 

Sergt.  G.  G.  Manny,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  301 

Corp.  George  Byrum,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  April  22,  1863. 

Corp.  J.  L.  Doxsee,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Corp.  Albert  Van  Epps,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Corp.  Wallace  R.  Giddings,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  Aug.  30,  1864. 

Corp.  Joseph  B.  Train,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Corp.  Wm.  Back,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  missing  in  action. 

Corp.  Wm.  E.  Stewart,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Wagoner  Thomas  Fleming,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862;  disd.  March  i,  1863;  disab. 

Austin,  H.  M.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Andrews,  Silas,  e.  Oct.  10,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Armagast,  A.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  13,  1865. 

Beine,  Carl  F.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1863;  disd.  Aug.  26,  1864;  wds. 

Bunker,  Hollis  M.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Bennett,  Thomas  J.;  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Baysinger,  Alex.,  e.  Aug.  9,   1862. 

Bunker,  Hiram,  e.  Jan.  29,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Betz,  Jacob,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864;  kid.  June  22,  1864. 

Burbridge,  W.  M.,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Butler,  Wm.  H.,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Best,  Jacob,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864;  died  Feb.  22,  1865. 

Bennett,  M.  L.,  e.  Feb.  11,  1865;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Bartholomew,  W.,  e.  Feb.  24,  1865 ;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Best,  Jacob  S. 

Bartlett,  Thomas  H. 

Clark,  Henry  H.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Cornforth,  John,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  May  18,  1865;  wds. 

Curtis,  Wm.  U.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862 ;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Clark,  R.  M.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Cox,  H.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Corning,  N.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  kid.  Sept.  19,  1863. 

Clair,  Davis  B.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.    Feb.  18,  1863;  disab. 

Crouch,  J.,  e.  Dec.  26,  1863;  died  Feb.  13,  1865. 

Cox,  Jas.  H.,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Colton,  John  C,  e.  Dec.  19,  1863 ;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Chambers,  John  B.,  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Delong,  A.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Dalrymple,  S.  L.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Nov.  8,  1864;  disab. 

Dall,  Chas.  A.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  3,  1863;  disab. 

Drew,  Jos.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1863 ;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Dickhomer,  Wm.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  June,  30,  1863. 

Empfield,  Wm.  J.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  March  14,  1863. 

Feeley,  D.  M.,  e.  ;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Fisk,  Amos,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862 ;  died  June  13,  1863. 

Ford,  L.  A.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  Jan.  2,  1863. 

Foreman,  James,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Fair,  L.  W.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Foley,  Patrick,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  June  24,   1863;  disab. 


302  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Fair,  H.  L.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Gates,  H.  H.,  e.  Dec.   19,  1863;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Glanz,  Chris,  e.  Dec.  26,  1863;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Grinnel,  P.  L.,  e.  Oct.  7,  1864,  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Giltner,  James  W.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Grossman,  D.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Graves,  C.  S.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Galbraith,  Joseph,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Gailgraith,  William,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Dec.  28,  1864. 

Honser,  Chris,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Hillard,  William  J.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Hawkins,  William,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Hawkins,  George  S.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Houser,  Samuel,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Haggart,  Darius,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  corp,  sick  at  m.  o. 

Houser,  Abram,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Haggart,  William  H.,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Houston,  William  T.,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Hays,  S.  E.  e.  Dec.  19,  1863;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Henderson,  Joseph,  e.  Feb.   12,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Harrington,  John,  e.  Feb.  5,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Hampugh,  Gustav,  e. 

Isaacson,  Isaac,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Keeler,  N.  F.,  e.  Aug.,  9,  1862. 

Kena,  Charles,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Koller,  Earnest,  e,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Klass,  August,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Kliplinger,  James  E.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Keiser,  Charles,  N.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  Oct.  14,  1863. 

Ladd,  John,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Lawver,  George,  e.  Jan.  29,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Moor,  Emanuel,  e.  Aug.,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Mahony,  D.  L.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

McCausland,  A.  L.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

McStay,  Edward,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Sept.  8,  1864;  disab. 

Mahany,  William  G.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  June  2,  1863;  disab. 

Mathews,  John  G.,  e.  Dec.  23,  1863 ;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

McEathron,  M.,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863 ;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Mathews,  S.  R.,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Nunn,  Thomas,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Phillips,  Jas.  M.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Playford,  H.  R.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Phillips,  P.  A.,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Rees,  George  W.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Reber,  Jacob  A.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Jan.  31,  1863,  to  re-e. 

Rathbun,  Parris,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Richardson,  L.,  e.  Dec.  19,  1863 ;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 


i  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  303 

Royer,  Isaac,  e.  Jan.  29,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Rea,  Geo.  W.,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Rea,  John  W.,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865;  died  April  13,  1865. 

Shligel,  Julius,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Smith,  Thomas  A.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 
-     Smith,  John  I.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  April  22,  1865.  . 

Seizhorn,  H.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Sisson,  Wm.  e.  Aug.  9,  1862 ;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Smith,  Robt.  D.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Seabury,  Jerome,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862 ;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Stout,  Thomas  U.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Shearer,  Edward,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  Jan.  23,  1863. 

Simpson,  John  M.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862.  < 

Skeels,  A.  S.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864,  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Sindlinger,  Geo.  W.,  e.  Oct.  28,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

Tomlinson,  Geo.  H.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  April  i,  1863;  disab. 

Train,  Samuel  S.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  3,  1863;  disab. 
.     Vanalstine,  D.  W.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862 ;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Verbee,  Benj.  E.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Wales,  Thomas,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

West,  Philip,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Sept.  30,  1863;  disab. 

West,  Ezra,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Workheiser,  Wm.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  Oct.  6,  1864. 

Workheiser,  E.,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862;  disd.  Aug.  5,  1865;  disab. 

Walter,  A.  B.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Wyckoff,  E.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  April  14,  1863. 

Westcott,  John,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864;  trans,  to  Sixty-fifth  inf. 

NINETY-THIRD   INFANTRY. 

The  Ninety-third  Infantry  Illinois  Volunteers,  was  organized  at  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois, in  September,  1862,  by  Colonel  Holden  Putnam,  and  mustered  in  October, 
13,  nine  hundred  and  ninety-eight  strong.  Was  ordered  to  Memphis,  Tennes- 
see, November  9,  and,  arriving  on  the  I4th,  moved  with  General  Grant's  army, 
in  the  northern  Mississippi  campaign,  to  Yocona  Creek,  and  thence  via  Lump- 
kin's  Mills,  to  Memphis,  arriving  December  30.  Marched  again  immediately 
to  La  Fayette,  Tennessee,  and  returned  to  Ridgeway  where  the  regiment  re- 
mained during  January  and  February,  1863.  Embarked  to  Lake  Providence, 
March  3,  and  from  there  moved  to  Helena  on  the  loth.  From  there  moved 
down  the  river  on  the  Yazoo  Pass  expedition.  Entered  Moon  Lake  on  the  22d, 
and  landed  near  Greenwood.  After  reconnoitering  the  enemy's  position,  re- 
embarked  and  returned  to  Helena.  April  13,  moved  to  Milliken's  Bend,  and 
on  the  25th,  commenced  the  Vicksburg  campaign.  Marched  via  Bruinsburg, 
Port  Gibson,  Raymond  and  Clinton,  and  arrived  at  Jackson,  May  14.  The 
Ninety-third  was  first  under  fire  here.  Participated  in  the  advance,  losing  three 
killed  and  four  wounded.  Remained  at  Jackson  until  the  I5th,  and  then  moved 
toward  Vicksburg.  On  the  i6th  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills. 


304  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  Ninety-third  was  in  the  Third  Brigade,  Seventh  Division,  Seventeenth 
Army  Corps.  At  2  P.  M.,  Brigadier  General  Hovey's  Division  being  severely 
pressed,  the  brigade  was  ordered  forward  and  placed  on  the  extreme  left.  After 
twenty  minutes'  fighting,  it  was  flanked  on  the  left,  and  retiring  steadily  changed 
front  to  the  left.  Being  again  flanked,  it  again  retired,  and  in  this  position 
held  its  ground  against  a  most  furious  attack,  after  which  the  enemy  retreated 
to  Black  River  Bridge.  The  loss  of  the  regiment  was  one  officer  and  thirty- 
seven  men  killed,  six  officers  and  one  hundred  and  seven  men  wounded,  and 
one  officer  and  ten  men  missing.  On  the  i7th,  again  moved  towards  Vicks- 
burg.  At  noon  of  the  igth,  came  on  the  enemy's  line,  about  three  miles  from 
the  city.  May  22  was  engaged  in  the  assault  on  the  enemy's  works,  on  the 
left  of  Fort  Fisher,  losing  ten  or  twelve  men  killed  and  wounded.  In  the  after- 
noon was  ordered  to  reenforce  General  McClernand's  command,  near  the  rail- 
road. At  4  o'clock  P.  M.,  charged  the  enemy.  Loss  in  this  charge,  five  enlisted 
men  killed,  and  one  officer  and  forty-nine  enlisted  men  wounded.  June  22, 
moved  to  the  rear  and  on  July  4,  was  stationed  at  McCalFs  plantation.  July 
13,  1863,  started  for  Jackson.  Arrived  on  the  15th  and  immediately  moved 
to  Vicksburg,  arriving  on  the  25th.  September  12,  moved  to  Helena,  Arkansas, 
and  on  the  3Oth,  to  Memphis.  Moved  to  Glendale,  October  3,  marched  to 
Burnsville,  Mississippi,  October  8.  On  the  igth  marched  toward  Chattanooga, 
via  luka ;  Florence,  Alabama ;  Winchester,  Tennessee,  and  Bridgeport,  Alabama  ; 
arriving  November  19.  November  24,  the  regiment  crossed  the  Tennessee 
River  ,and  threw  up  a  tete  de  pont,  occupying  the  works  until  the  pontoon 
bridge  was  built.  November  25,  was  heavily  engaged  at  Mission  Ridge,  losing 
Colonel  Holden  Putnam  and  nineteen  men  killed,  one  officer  and  forty-four 
enlisted  men  wounded,  and  two  officers  and  twenty-five  men  missing.  Pur- 
sued the  enemy,  November  26  and  27,  to  Grayson,  and  returned  to  Chatta- 
nooga. Moved  toward  Bridgeport,  Alabama,  December  3.  On  the  22d  moved 
toward  Larkinsville,  Alabama,  and  January  17,  1864,  to  Huntsville.  Febru- 
ary I2th,  participated  in  the  reconnaissance  to  Dalton.  On  the  24th  and  25th, 
lay  in  line  of  battle  all  day  near  Dalton.  Returned  to  Huntsville,  March  6. 
Moved  by  rail  to  Decatur,  Alabama,  and,  June  14,  marched  via  Huntsville, 
and  Larkinsville,  to  Stephenson,  Alabama,  arriving  on  the  25th.  On  the  27th 
moved  by  rail  to  Chattanooga,  and  28th  to  Kingston.  One  mile  north  of  Dalton, 
the  train  collided  with  an  uptrain,  and  one  officer  and  thirty  men  were  wounded. 
July  2,  moved  to  Etowah  to  guard  crossings  until  the  i  ith,  when  the  regiment 
returned  to  Kingston.  August  2  and  3,  marched  to  Allatoona.  On  the  eve- 
ning of  the  1 5th,  moved  by  rail  to  Resaca,  and  on  the  I7th,  marched  to  Spring 
Place;  but,  Wheeler's  cavalry  having  retreated,  the  command  returned  to 
Resaca  and  to  Allatoona.  On  September  3,  ten  men  were  captured  while  out 
foraging.  On  October  5,  the  Ninety-third  was  a  part  of  the  force,  2,100  strong, 
which  so  signally  defeated  General  French's  rebel  division  of  7,000  men.  At 
I  o'clock  A.  M.  the  picket  firing  commenced.  At  7  A.  M.  the  artillery  on  both 
sides  opened,  and  at  9  A.  M.,  the  enemy  made  its  first  charge,  and  after  des- 
perate fighting  succeeded  in  pressing  the  Union  forces  back,  from  the  outer 
line  of  works,  into  the  forts.  Until  3  P.  M.  the  battle  raged  with  intense  fury, 
when  the  enemy  hastily  withdrew  in  the  direction  of  Dallas.  The  Ninety-third 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  305 

lost  twenty-one  killed,  three  officers  and  forty-nine  men  wounded,  and  ten 
missing.  November  12,  1864,  the  regiment  started  on  "the  march  to  the  sea," 
and  marched,  via  Atlanta,  McDonough>  Jackson,  Planter's  Factory,  Hillsboro, 
Clinton,  Gordon,  Irwinton,  Summerville  and  Eden,  reaching  the  enemy's  lines 
around  Savannah,  December  10.  On  the  nth,  skirmished  with  the  enemy  at 
Ogeechee  Canal,  losing  one  killed  and  two  wounded.  On  the  i2th,  moved  to 
"Station  i"  on  the  Gulf  Railroad,  and  remained  till  the  2ist,  when  it  marched 
into  the  city,  and  there  remained  until  January  19,  1865.  Commenced  the  cam- 
paign of  the  Carolinas  on  January  19.  Marched  across  the  Savannah  River, 
and  two  miles  into  the  swamp.  On  the  2Oth,  returned  to  Savannah,  and  on 
the  23d,  embarked  for  Beaufort,  S.  C.  Landed  on  the  24th,  and  on  the  29th, 
marched  northward,  via  McPhersonville,  Hickory  Hill,  Owens'  Cross  Roads, 
Baneburg,  Graham  (destroying  one  and  one-half  miles  of  railroad),  Binnaker's 
Bridge,  Orangeburg,  Bates'  Ferry,  on  the  Congaree  (where  skirmished  with 
the  enemy,  February  15)  and  to  Columbia  arriving  on  the  I7th.  While  here 
one  man  was  mortally  wounded  by  the  accidental  explosion  of  shells.  From 
Columbia,  marched,  via  Muddy  Springs,  Peay's  Ferry  on  the  Wateree,  Liberty 
Hill,  West's  Corner  (here  had  one  man  wounded  by  enemy's  cavalry)  to 
Cheraw,  S.  C.,  thence,  via  Laurel  Hill,  Big  Raft  Swamp,  Fayetteville,  Jack- 
son's Cross  Roads,  Cox's  Bridge  and  Bentonville,  arriving  at  Goldsboro,  March 
24.  April  10,  moved  to  Raleigh,  arriving  on  the  I4th.  After  the  surrender  of 
Johnston's  army,  marched,  via  Petersburg  and  Richmond,  Va.,  to  Washing- 
ton City.  Participated  in  the  grand  review  May  24,  and  on  the  3ist,  moved 
to  Louisville,  Kentucky.  June  23,  1865,  was  mustered  out  of  service,  and  on 
the  25th,  arrived  at  Chicago,  Illinois.  Received  final  payment  and  discharge 
July  7,  1865.  During  two  years  and  seven  months'  service,  the  casualties  in 
battle  of  the  Ninety-third  were  four  hundred  and  forty-six,  and  one  officer  and 
thirty-one  men  accidentally  wounded.  The  regiment  has  marched  two  thou- 
sand, five  hundred  and  fifty-four  miles,  traveled  by  water  two  thousand,  two 
hundred  and  ninety-six  miles,  and  by  railroad  one  thousand,  two  hundred  and 
thirty-seven  miles.  Total,  six  thousand  and  eighty-seven  miles. 

Col.  Holden  Putnam,  com.  Oct.  13,  1862;  kid.  Nov.  25,   1863. 

Adjt.  Henry  G.  Hicks,  com.  Nov.  15,  1862;  hon,  disd.  Feb.  26,  1864. 

COMPANY  D. 

Capt.  Charles  F.  Taggart,  com.  Oct.  13,  1862;  hon.  disd.  Jan.  10,  1865. 

Capt.  George  S.  Kleckner,  com.  2d  lieut.  Oct.  13,  1862;  prmtd.  ist  lieut. 
Feb.  9,  1864;  prmtd.  capt.  April  n,  1865. 

First  Lieut.  Alphens  P.  Goddard,  com.  Oct.  13,  1862;  res.  Feb.  9,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  James  W.  Newcomer,  e.  as  private  Aug.  7,  1862;  prmtd.  ist 
Heut.  June  6,  1865;  m.  o.  as  Q.  M.  sergt. 

Sergt.  Lansing  Ells,  e.  July  28,  1862 ;  disd.  May  31,  1863 ;  disab. 

Sergt.  Edward  P.  Renolds,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862;  died  March  12,  1863. 

Sergt.  John  B.  Newcomer,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862;  died  June  21,  1862;  wds. 

Sergt.  Benjamin  E.  Goddard,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  trans,  to  Fortieth  inf. 

Corp.  Samuel  Shriver,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  disd.  Aug.  n,  1865;  disab. 

Corp.  James  Hickey,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862;  kid.  May  16,  1863. 

Corp.  George  Lills,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  died  May  22,  1863. 


306  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Corp.  John  Rima,  e.  Aug.  5,   1862;  kid.  Nov.  25,   1863. 

Corp.  Walker  Templeton,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Musician  M.  W.  Lyman,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862;  trans,  to  brigade  band. 

Musician  George  B.  Turneaure,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  prmtd.  principal  musician. 

Wagoner  Silas  Andrews,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disd.  Aug.  5,  1863;  disab. 

Andrews,  Charles  J.,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  trans,  to  Fortieth  inf. 

Brandt,  Benjamin  F.,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Brillhart,  William  F.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Bender,  Charles,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  Feb.  27,  1863. 

Brown,  E.  S.,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  disd.  Aug.  5,  1863;  disab. 

Brewer,  E.  B.,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  died  April  17,  1863. 

Brillhart,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Aug.  5,  1863;  disab. 

Bergstresser,  James,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Birtlin,  Balser,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Bender,  Chris,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Bogenreif,  David,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862;  disd.  Feb.   i,  1864;  disab. 

Cornville,  M.  L.,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862;  disd.  May  25,  1864;  disab. 

Davis,  George,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Devore,  Samuel  F.,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862;  died  July  27,  1863. 

Erwin,  Rudy,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862;  kid.  May  16,  1863. 

Frey,  George  W.,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Fry,  Isaac,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Garrett,  James,  e.  Oct.  3,  1864;  trans. 

Giddings,  Calvin,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Goodwill,  Frederick,  e.  July  26,  1862;  disd.  Jan.  10,  1863;  disab. 

Gable,  Jacob,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Hopkins,  H.  L.  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Hahn,  Isaac,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Hahn,  Jacob,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 

High,  H.  W.,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862. 

Hood,  E.  E.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd,  term  expired. 

Jewell,  John  G.,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862;  died  July  12,  1863. 

Kiester,  David,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Klotz,  John,  e.  Oct.  3,  1864;  trans. 

Kaufman,  Adam  E.,  Aug.  14,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Knedler,  Samuel,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  died  Sept.  i,  1863. 

Kleuhner,  Geo.  W.,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862;  died  Oct.  13,  1864. 

Lansing,  Ezra,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862;  disd.  for  disab. 

Liscomb,  N.,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862 ;  died  Aug.  3,  1863. 

Lenhart,  George  C.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  disd.  Jan.  5,  1863,  disab. 

Lusk,  George  F.,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862 ;  trans,  to  the  4Oth  inf. 

Lusk,  Franklin. 

Lahr,  Paul,  Aug.  7,  1862;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Metz,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  23,  1863,  disab. 

McKibben,  Foster  B.,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 

McKibben,  R.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Plush,  Thomas,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  307 

Pattern,  T.  M.  C,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Phillips,  Thomas,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862;  kid.  May  16,  1863. 

Pittinger,  William,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Robert,  Cyrus  A.,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862;  disd.  June  8,  1865,  disab. 

Reeder,  Peter,  Oct.  3,  1864;  trans. 

Rotzler,  John,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  trans,  to  brigade  band. 

Solace,  C.  S.,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  5,  1865,  disab. 

Sprague,  Carson,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  disd.  Aug.  15,  1863,  disab. 

Shearer,  Peter,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862. 

Shearer,  David,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862;  died  April  18,  1865. 

Shearer,  Andrew,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862;  absent  at  m.  o. 

Shippey,  Hiram,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Templeton,  D.  H.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  died  Oct.  30,  1862. 

Thomas,  George,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862 ;  captd.  at  Champlain  Hills. 

Unangust,  Franklin,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862. 

Whitehorn,  John,  e.  July  28,  1862;  disd.  March  7,  1865,  disab. 

Washburn,  C.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Ward,  Wm.  B.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  June  29,  1863. 

White,  John  D.,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862;  disd.  May  28,  1864,  disab. 

Yordy,  Chris.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Young,  John,  e.  Aug.  u,  1862;  m.  o.  March  n,  1863. 

Young,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Young,  Simon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862. 

COMPANY  G. 

Capt.  Jos.  P.  Reel,  com.  Oct.  13,  1862;  res.  July  20,  1864. 

Capt.  Samuel  M.  Daughenbaugh,  e.  as  sergt.  Aug.  n,  1862;  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
Jan.  24,  1864;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  Jan.  5,  1864;  prmtd.  capt.  July  20,  1864. 

First.  Lieut.  George  W.  Hartsough,  com.  Oct.  13,  1862;  res.  Jan.  24,  1863. 

First  Lieut.  Jeremiah  J.  Piersol,  com.  2d  lieut.  Oct.  13,  1862;  prmtd.  ist 
lieut.  Jan.  24,  1863;  hon.  disd.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  George  L.  Piersol,  e.  as  private  Aug.  n,  1862;  prmtd.  ist  lieut. 
July  20,  1864. 

Sergt.  Abner  H.  Howe,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862. 

Sergt.  Elias  Castenbader,  e.  Aug.   n,  1862. 

Sergt.  Hugh  Moser,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862;  absent  at  m.  o. 

Sergt.  Chas.  Yunt,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Corp.  Daniel  I.  Cobb,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  disd.  Aug.  n,  1863,  disab. 

Corp.  N.  Wartman,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862 ;  disd.  Aug.  16,  1863,  wd. 

Corp.  Daniel  Keiser,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Corp.  Henry  Shoemaker,  e.  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Corp.  John  B.  Bollman,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862;  kid  at  Champion  Hills. 

Corp.  D.  W.  Jones. 

Corp.  Luther  Hays. 

Corp.  O.  M.  Broughter. 

Musician  Wm.  Ware,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Musician  Edward  Owen,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862 ;  disd.  March  2,  1863. 

Wag.  John  Templeton,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862;  died  Feb.  25,  1865,  wd. 


308  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Addams,  Alvin,  e.  Aug.  11,  1862;  died  May  24,  1863,  wd. 

Andre,  John  J.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Brown,  John,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Bordner,  D.  M.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Bennethine,  John  G.,  e.  Aug.   II,   1862. 

Cade,  Levi,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Clams,  Jos.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Cari,  H.  C,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Oct.  22,  1864,  wd. 

Collier,  Wm.  H.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  died  March  30,  1864. 

Diemar,  Ames,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  disd.  Sept.  n,  1863,  disab. 

Dinges,  Adam  K.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862. 

Duhart,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Danber,  Daniel,  e.  Aug.  22,   1862. 

Eastman,  H.  C.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Erb,  Isaac,  e.  Aug.  u,  1862;  kid.  May  16,  1863. 

Erb,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Eisenhour,  Wm.  H.,  Aug.  n,  1862;  died  May  19,  1863,  wd. 

Frank,  Wm.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Forney,  David,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  June  27,  1864. 

Fogel,  Robert,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Dec.  26,  1862. 

Fogel,  Jos.  W.,  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Folgate,  Thomas,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Graham,  George  W.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Garman,  J.  P.,  e.  Oct.  14,  1862. 

Carman,  Wm.,  e.  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Grane,  Jos.  F.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Greenwalt,  Benj.,  e.  Aug   n,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Grissinger,  F.  B.,  Aug.  12,  1862. 

Granzo,  Aug.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o 

Hockman,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Humphrey,  Charles,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Humphrey,  John  M.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1863. 

Hulbert,  Lyman,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862;  kid.  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Helm,  Tobias,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  May  i,  1863. 

Hartsell,  Samuel,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862. 

Haas,  W.  G.,  e.  Aug.  19,  1862;  kid.  May  23,  1865. 

Ilgen,  Daniel  G.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Ilgen,  David  M.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Kostenbader,  S.  S.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Kahlj,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Kryder,  John  J.,  e.  Aug.  14,   1862. 

Kahli,  Emanuel,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  disd.  March  28,  1865,  disab. 

Klapp,  Chas.  B.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Knock,  Jas.  E.,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Krise,  Wm.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Sept.  27,  1863. 

Logan,  Jas.  N.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Logan,  S.  W. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  309 

Lott,  Geo.  W.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  March  31,  1865,  disab. 

Law,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  May  29,  1864. 

Lattig,  Geo.  M.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Leibe,  D.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Myers,  Reuben,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Matteo,  Moses,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

McHolt,  Oliver,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  died  Nov.  30,  1863. 

Morse,  Jefferson,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862. 

McConnell,  John  P.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  died  Oct.  4,  1863. 

Nickles,  Lester,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Nicklas,  A.  M.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  disd.  April  2,  1863,  disab. 

Nickles,  Geo.  W.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Reiser,  Conrad,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  died  March  28,  1863. 

Rosweiler,  Henry,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  kid.  May  16,  1863. 

Reubendall,  R.  R.,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Sindlinger,  John  W.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  dis.  July  23,  1863,  disab. 

Stewart,  Jas.  C,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Shockley,  Benj.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  died  May  19,  1863. 

St.  John,  Thomas  K.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Oct.  22,  1862. 

Seigley,  D.  Y.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Smith,  Sanford,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Sands,  Wm.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Shekler,  Levi,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862. 

Vantilburg,  T.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Vantilburg,  N.  H.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disd.  Feb.  15,  1863,  disab. 

Werkheiser,  John  H.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Wolf,  Daniel,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862;  kid.  May  16,  1863. 

Wetzel,  Peter,  e.  Aug.  n,  1862. 

Wilson,  Wm.  J.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  died  May  25,  1863,  wd. 

Wertman,  Jos.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862. 

Wickwire,  F.  M.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862;  died  Aug.  17,  1863. 

Wagner,  J.  R.,  Aug.  12,  1861 ;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Wagner,  Joel,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Nov.  29,  1863,  wds. 

Wardlow,  Robt,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862;  dis.  for  wds. 

Zerle,  Geo.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Zerle,  Wm.,  e.  Aug.  10,  1862. 

Youndt,  Albert,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863 ;  trans,  to  4Oth  inf. 

THE    ONE    HUNDRED    AND    FORTY-SECOND    INFANTRY. 

(One  Hundred  Days.) 

The  One  Hundred  and  Forty-second  Infantry  Illinois  Volunteers  was  or- 
ganized at  Freeport,  Illinois,  by  Colonel  Rollin  V.  Ankeney,  as  a  battalion,  of 
eight  companies,  and  ordered  to  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  where  two  companies 
were  added  and  the  regiment  mustered  June  18,  1864,  for  one  hundred  days. 


310  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

On  June  21  the  regiment  moved  to  Memphis,  via  Cairo,  and  the  Mississippi 
River,  and  arrived  on  the  24th;  on  the  26th,  moved  to  White's  Station,  eleven 
miles  from  Memphis,  on  the  Memphis  &  Charleston  railroad,  where  it  was  as- 
signed to  guarding  railroad. 

Mustered  out  of  the  United  States  service  October  27,  1864,  at  Chicago. 

Col.  Rollins  V.  Ankeney,  com.  June  18,  1864. 

Adjt.  Albert  W.  Brewster,  com.  June  9,  1864. 

Sergt.  Asa  E.  Shephard,  com.  June  18,  1864. 

COMPANY  A. 

First  Lieut.  Denison  C.  Frisbie,  com.  June  18,  1864. 

Sergt.  John  McEathron,  e.  May  i,  1864;  m.  o.  as  ist  sergt. 

Corp.  Herbert  W.  Allen,  e.  May  2,  1864;  m.  o.  as  sergt. 

Corp.  Dennis  H.  Reynolds,  e.  May  i,  1864. 

Corp.  Lewis  P.  Clingman,  e.  May  10,  1864. 

Corp.  Ira  Peckard,  e.  May  4,  1864. 

Boyer,  John,  e.  May  i,  1864. 

Baum,  Samuel,  e.  June  i,  1862. 

Bailey,  Horace,  e.  May  i,  1864. 

Barklow,  Frederick,  e.  May  5,  1864. 

Biehl,  Frank,  e.  June  16,  1864;  died  Sept.  n,  1864. 

Cosier,  Ammon,  May  16,  1864. 

Clingman,  W. 

Draws,  George,  e.  June  i,  1864. 

Hill,  Eugene,  O.,  e.  May  25,  1864. 

Ludeke,  Charles,  e.  May  21,  1864;  died  Sept.  26,  1864. 

McGloughlin,  Joseph,  e.  May  10,  1864. 

Williams,  John,  e.  May  10,  1864. 

COMPANY  E. 

Second  Lieut.  James  R.  Baker,  com.  June  18,  1864. 

First  Sergt.  William  Trude,  e.  May  i,  1864. 

Musician  William  H.  Baker,  e.  May  10,  1864. 

Buisman,  John,  e.  May  14,  1864;  died  Sept.  9,  1864. 

Cobie,  John,  e.  May  12,  1864. 

Dean,  Israel,  e.  May  30,  1864;  died  Sept.  12,  1864. 

Gifford,  Henry. 

Heddens,  Roelf,  e.  May  14,  1864. 

Higgins,  Frank,  e.  May  28,  1864. 

Kohl,  George,  e.  May  i,  1864. 

Lizer,  Andrew,  e.  May  30,  1864. 

Long,  David,  e.  May  2,  1864. 

Seibels,  D.  B.,  e.  May  16,  1864;  died  Aug.  12,  1864. 

Turbett,  Thomas  M.,  e.  May  25,  1864. 

Wepel,  Bertus,  e.  May  14,  1864. 

Wepel,  H.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1864. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  311 


COMPANY    F. 

Capt.  Henry  Burrell,  com.  June   18,   1864. 

First  Lieut.  Francis  A.  Darling,  com.  June  18,  1864. 

Second  Lieut.  Josiah  D.  Fye,  com.  June  18,  1864. 

First  Sergt.  Graham  M.  Woods,  e.  May  5,  1864. 

Sergt.  John  H.  Tandy,  e.  May  5,  1864. 

Sergt.  Dolphus  Tyler,  e.  May  6,  1864. 

Sergt.  Thomas  M.  Bradshaw,  e.  May  5,  1864. 

Corp.  Charles  F.  Bulkley,  e.  May  6,  1864. 

Corp.  Henry  Brillhart,  e.  May  12,  1864. 

Corp.  William  Liebhart,  e.  May  12,  1864. 

Corp.  Josiah  F.  May,  e,  May  9,  1864. 

Corp.  George  B.  Stephens,  e.  May  5,  1864. 

Corp.  Edward  P.  Johnson,  e.  May  5,  1864. 

Corp.  Thomas  C.  Strunk,  e.  May  13,  1864. 

Corp.  John  L.  French,  e.  May  12,  1864. 

Wagoner  Daniel  W.  Jennings,  e.  May  24,  1862. 

Adair,  George,  e.  May  25,  1864;  died  Sept.  i,  1864. 

Ballinger,  Aquilla,  e.  May  25,   1864. 

Brownley,  H.,  e.  May  6,  1864. 

Brown,  George  W.,  e.  May  25,  1864. 

Buchanan,  John  H.,  e.  May  9,  1864. 

Burrell,  Daniel,  e.  May  5,  1864. 

Dilly,  Jacob,  e.  May  11,1864. 

Ells,  William  A.,  e.  May  9,   1864. 

Eyre,  John  H.,  e.  May  24,  1864. 

Freese,  I.  T.,  e.  May  24,  1864. 

Frisbie,  William  D.,  e.  May  9,  1864. 

Fuller,  Lorenzo,  e.  May  9,  1864. 

Galpin,  William  C.,  e.  May  10,  1864. 

Gates,  Norman,  e.  May  20,   1864. 

Getteg,  Aaron,  e.  May  19,  1864. 

Goldin,  John  A.,  e.  May  9,  1864. 

Hall,  Archer,  e.  May  9,  1864. 

Hawkins,  Wesley,  e.  May  29,  1864. 

Hazen,  Gustavus  E.,  e.  May  9,  1864. 

Heinsler,  Frederick,  e.  May  17,  1864;  died  Aug.  26,  1864. 

Hitchcock,  F.,  e.  May  23,  1864. 

Jones,  August  D.,  e.  May  5,  1864. 

Kanawell,  William,  e.  May  n,  1864. 

Kuley,  William,  e.  May  u,  1864. 

Lapp,  Isaac,  e.  May  24,  1864. 

Madden,  William,  e.  May  5,  1864. 

Martin,  William  A.,  e.  May  24,  1864. 

McAffe,  Torrance,  e.  May  18,  1864. 


312  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

McLees,  William,  e.  May  5,  1864. 

Merely,  Robert,  e.  May  15,  1864. 

Murdaugh,  Thomas,  e.  May  i,  1864;  died  Oct.  9,  1864. 

Nesbit,  Alexander,  e.  May  31,  1864. 

Ochk,  Alpha,  e.  May  10,  1864. 

Ochk,  Omega,  e.  May  14,  1864. 

Otto,  Charles,  e.  May  17,  1864. 

Packard,  Eleroy,  e.  May  6,  1864. 

Pender,  Thomas,  e.  May  4,  1864. 

Raudecker,  James  C.,  e.  May  9,  1864. 

Rippbarger,  John,  e.  May  8,  1864. 

Shane,  William,  e.  May  12,  1864. 

Sheldon,  C.  D.,  e.  May  9,  1864. 

Stunk,  Peter,  May  16,  1864. 

Sterling,  Robert,  e.  May  10,  1864. 

Sullivan,  (Patrick,  e.  May  n,  1864. 

Turneaure,  Charles  H.,  e.  May  12,  1864. 

Thomas,  William  H.,  e.  May  20,  1864. 

Townes,  Edw.,  e.  May  6,  1864. 

Vanalst,  Martin,  e.  May  4,  1864. 

Wagner,  William  H.,  e.  May  24,  1864. 

Wallace,  William,  e.  May  31,  1864. 

Warner,  A.  J.,  e.  May  14,  1864. 

Warner,  C.  F.,  e.  May  12,  1864. 

Warner,  John,  e.  May  28,  1864. 

White,  Wallace,  e.  May  10,  1864. 

Wilson,  Charles  M.,  e.  May  20,  1864. 

Winters,  John  C.,  e.  May  14,  1864. 

Winters,  William,  e.  May  25,  1864. 

Young,  Thomas  B.,  e.  May  18,  1864. 

Zimmerman,  H.  O.,  e.  May  7,  1864. 

COMPANY   G. 

Sergt.  John  F.  Whitley,  e.  June  i,  1864. 

Brownley,  S.,  e.  June  2,  1864. 

Bessinger,  John,  e.  May  27,  1864. 

Barry,  John,  e.  May  16,  1864. 

Davidson,  Joseph,  e.  May  21,  1864. 

George,  Lawson  E.,  e.  June  i,  1864. 

Kenneson,  T.  E.,  e.  March  9,  1864. 

Kanrai,  David,  e.  May  10,  1864. 

Mooney,  Edw.,  e.  June  i,  1864. 

McGlaughlin,  James,  e.  May  10,  1864. 

Wood,  Cyrus  A.,  e.  June  2,  1864;  m.  o.  for  re-enlistment. 

Wilson,  Charles,  e.  May  16,   1864. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  313 

THE  ONE  HUNDRED   AND  FORTY-SIXTH    INFANTRY. 

(One    Year.) 

The  One  Hundred  and  Forty-sixth  Infantry  Illinois  Volunteers  was  organ- 
ized at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  September  18,  1864,  for  one  year,  and  Henry  H. 
Dean  appointed  colonel.  Companies  C  and  B  were  ordered  to  Brighton,  Illi- 
nois, Companies  D  and  H  to  Quincy,  Illinois,  and  Company  F  to  Jacksonville, 
Illinois,  and  were  assigned  to  duty  guarding  drafted  men  and  substitutes.  The 
remaining  companies  were  assigned  to  similar  duty  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois. 
On  the  5th  of  July,  1865,  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Camp 
Butler,  Illinois. 

Adjt.  James  P.  Hodges,  com.  Oct.  10,  1864. 

COMPANY    E. 

Capt.  John  R.  Jones,  com.  Sept.  19,  1864;  res.  April  7,  1865. 

Capt.  Russell  A.  Hays,  com.  ist  lieut.  Sept.  19,  1864;  prmtd.  capt.  May  10, 
1865. 

Second  Lieut.  John  L.  Kamrar,  com.  Sept.  19,  1864;  disd.  March  9,  1865. 

Second  Lieut.  Lewis  D.  Brigham,  e.  as  ist  sergt.  Sept.  2,  1864;  prmtd.  2d 
lieut.  May  10,  1865. 

Sergt.  James  Frost,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864;  disab. 

Sergt.  Samuel  Hayes,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Sergt.  David  Schreiak,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Sergt.  Edw.  L.  Bruce,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862. 

Corp.  Jerome  A.  Butts,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Corp.  Samuel  Whitemeyer,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Corp.  Stephen  Clingman,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Corp.  John  Boyer,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Corp.  Lewis  Lawyer,  e.  Sept.  2,   1864. 

Corp.  Thomas  McGhee,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Musician  Edw.  Owen,  e.  Sept.  5,  1864. 

Wagoner  Andrew  Harnish,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Andrews,  Isaac  F.,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Auman,  Edw.,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Burd,  Benjamin  F.,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864;  m.  o.  as  corp. 

Burd,  George  W.,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Bogenreif,  Samuel,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Briel,  Reuben  C.,  e.  Sept.  5,  1864;  disd.  May  12,  1865,  disab. 

Bowen,  Samuel,  e.  Sept.  5,  1864. 

Bortzfield,  John,  e.  Sept.  5,  1864;  died  Sept.  13,  1864. 

Bollman,  George,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Childs,  Lewis  C.,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Cornville,  M.  L.,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864;  died  Oct.  7,  1864. 

Clingman,  H.  C.,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Foster,  Robert,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Graham,  E.  W.,  e.  Sept.  3.  1864. 


314  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Haggart,  Sydney,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Hutchison,  Samuel,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Ingraham,  Orlin,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Keagan,  Nicholas,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Kleckner,  William,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Knoll,  Thomas,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Kryder,  William  H.,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Kuns,  N.,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Kailey,  George  W.,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Kenison,  Thomas  J.,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864;  disd.  May  20,  1865,  disab. 

Kearn,  Richard,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Larkins,  M.,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Wendenhall,  William,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Murray,  James  S.,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864;  died  Feb.  i,  1865. 

McDowell,  E.  R.,  e.  Sept.  5,  1864;  prmtd.  principal  musician. 

Rees,  John,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Patten,  Lawrence,  e.  Sept.  5,  1864;  disd.  April  4,  1865,  disab. 

Rath,  A.  B.,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Springer,  Nathan,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864;  died  Oct.  19,  1864. 

Schroeder,  H.,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Stoeger,  Adam,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Stiles,  R.  A.,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Sheckler,  O.  P.,  e.  Sept.  5,  1864. 

Twogood,  Daniel,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Vocht,  John  L.,  e.  Sept.  5,  1864. 

Williams,  F.  E.,  e.  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Wells,  Orsen,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Yeaman,  Thomas  J.,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Yeager,  Peter,  e.  Sept.  5,  1864. 

Yarger,  William  A.,  e.  Sept.  3,  1864. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    FORTY-SEVENTH     INFANTRY. 

(One  Year.) 

The  One  Hundred  and  Forty-seventh  Infantry  Illinois  Volunteers  was  or- 
ganized at  Camp  Fry,  Illinois,  by  Colonel  Hiram  F.  Sickles,  and  mustered  in 
for  one  year  on  the  i8th  and  igth  of  February,  1865.  On  the  2ist  of  Febru- 
ary moved,  via  Louisville,  Kentucky,  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  arriving  on  the 
25th.  On  the  28th  moved  to  Chattanooga,  and  thence  to  Dalton,  Georgia,  Col- 
onel Sickles  commanding  post.  On  March  I3th  went  on  an  expedition  to  Mill 
Creek,  on  Cleveland  Road,  and  broke  up  a  nest  of  guerrillas.  On  the  2Oth 
under  command  of  Major  Bush,  went  on  an  expedition  to  Spring  Place.  March 
I5th  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  Brigadier  General  H.  M.  Judah  commanding.  On  March  28th 
went  on  an  expedition  to  Ringgold.  On  April  23d  moved  to  Pullen's  Ferry, 
on  Coosawhatchie  River,  and  had  several  skirmishes  with  the  enemy,  killing 
Major  Edmeston,  their  commander,  and  several  officers  and  men.  On  May  2d 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  315 

the  regiment  moved  to  Resaca,  Georgia,  and  were  engaged  in  repairing  the 
railroad.  On  May  i2th  Wofford,  commanding  rebel  forces  in  Northern  Georgia, 
surrendered  his  forces  to  General  Judah.  May  I4th  Colonel  Sickles  took  com- 
mand of  the  brigade.  Marched  to  Calhoun  June  26th,  and  July  27th  moved  to 
Marietta.  From  there  ordered  to  Macon,  Georgia,  and  to  Albany,  Georgia,  ar- 
riving July  3 1  st.  October  i6th  brigade  organization  dissolved.  October  28th 
ordered  to  Hawkinsville,  Georgia.  November  25th  the  regiment  was  ordered 
to  Savannah,  Georgia,  via  Macon,  Atlanta  and  Augusta,  where  it  remained 
until  December  31,  1865.  Mustered  out  January  20,  1866,  at  Savannah,  Georgia, 
and  ordered  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  it  received  final  pay  and  discharge. 

COMPANY  E. 

Capt.  Francis  A.  Darling,  com.  Feb.  18,  1865. 

First  Lieut.  Denison  C.  Frisbie,  com.  Feb.  18,  1865;  res.  Sept.  2,  1865. 

First  Lieut.  Jacob  M.  Martin,  com.  2d  lieut.  Feb.  18,  1865;  prmtd.  st 
lieut.  Oct.  4,  1865. 

Second  Lieut.  Daniel  J.  Kelley,  e.  as  ist  sergt.  Feb.  9,  1865;  prmtd.  2d 
lieut.  Oct.  4,  1865. 

Sergt.  Richard  M.  Rockey,  e.  Feb.  10,  1865;  m.  o.  as  ist.  sergt. 

Sergt.  John  J.  Thomas,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Sergt.  C.  B.  White,  e.  Feb.  4,  1865 ;  dis.  Dec.  16,  1865,  disab. 

Sergt.  Jonathan  Small,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Corp.  N.  M.  Ferguson,  e.  Feb.  10,  1865. 

Corp.  Peter  Slear,  e.  Feb.  4,  1865. 

Corp.  John  L.  Rockey,  e.  Feb.  10,  1865. 

Corp.  Henry  Phelps,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Corp.  A.  W.  Kaup,  e.  Feb.  8,  1865. 

Corp.  Alfred  F.  Miller,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Corp.  Charles  Wilson,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865. 

Musician  William  H.  Baker,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Wagoner   D.  W.  Jennings,  e.   Feb.  3,   1865. 

Allen,  John  S.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1865. 

Allen,  T.  M.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1865. 

Boyer,  Isaac,  e.  Feb.  17,  1865. 

Buss,  Thankful,  e.  Feb.  15,  1865. 

Buss,  Isaac,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865. 

Buffington,  C.  H.,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865. 

Beegle,  A.  H.,  e.  Feb.  u,  1865;  m.  o.  Sept.  21,  1865. 

Baker,  Lewis,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865. 

Boyer,  Joseph  L.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1865. 

Baniger,  Peter,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865. 

Burnham,  N.  S.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1865. 

Bangs,  M.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Bobb,  Cyrus,  e.  Feb.  10,  1865. 

Blake.  William,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Bolinger,  D.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1865. 


316  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Caffee,  James  L.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 

Carter,  L.  H.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1865. 

Cooper,  B.  G.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Carpenter,  D.,  e.  Feb.  9,  1864. 

Davenport,  Lucius,  e.  Feb.  7,  1864. 

Durfee,  R.  S.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Darling,  Francis  S. 

Frisbie,  D.  C. 

Farrell,  Charles,  e.  Feb.  17,  1864;  disd.  Aug.  30,  1865,  disab. 

Folgate,  Daniel,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864;  disd.  Dec.  26,  1865,  disab. 

French,  George,  e.  Feb.  9,  1864. 

Frank,  John  W.,  e.  Feb.  7,  1864. 

Fisher,  George,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Fischer,  Charles,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Flickinger,  Wm.,  e.  Aug.  10,  1864. 

Foster,  Fred,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Galbraith,  Benj.,  e.  Feb.  17,  1864. 

Gearry,  John,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Hallensleben,  H,  W.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Harwood,  Wm.  N.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864;  died  Aug.  5,  1865. 

Hkk,  H.  V.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Harris,  Charles  B.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

In  man,  John,  e.  Feb.  17,  1864. 

Kibner,  Wm.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Keyser,  John  E.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Kelly,  John,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864;  died  May  2,  1865. 

Kahl,  Thomas  J.,  e.  Feb.  7,  1864. 

Lims,  Jos.,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864. 

Lashell,  H.  F.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Leigh,  Wm.  H.  e.  Feb.  9,  1864. 

Lower,  Solomon,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864. 

McLain,  Isaac,  e.  Feb.  9,  1864. 

Moore,  John  T.,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864. 

Price,  David,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Patterson,  Arthur,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Rhoades,  I.  P.,  e.  Feb.  17,  1864. 

Reed,  Hugh,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Smith,  Charles  A.,  e.  Feb.  7,  1864. 

Stickney,  H.  J.,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864. 

Sisson,  James  R.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Snyder,  John  S.,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Small,  Samuel,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Tyler,  Andrew,  e.  Feb.  17,  1864. 

Van  Epps,  James  W.,  e.  Feb.  7,  1864. 

Wood,  Wm.  H.,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864. 

Carpenter,  H.,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865. 

Cox,  Abel,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  317 

SEVENTH   CAVALRY. 

Lieut.  Col.  Henry  C.  Forbes,  com.  ist  lieut.  Co.  B,  Aug.  n,  1861 ;  prmtd. 
capt.  Nov.  18,  1861 ;  prmtd.  maj.  Feb.  10,  1863;  prmtd.  lieut.  col.  March  i,  1865. 

COMPANY  B. 

Capt.  Henry  C.  Forbes. 

Capt.  William  McCausland,  e.  as   (?)  sergt.  Sept.  5,  1861 ;  prmtd.  ist  lieut. 
Nov.  18,  1861 ;  prmtd.  capt.  Feb.  10,  1863;  died  Dec.  25,  1864. 

Capt.  Stephen  A.  Forbes,  e.  as  ( ?1  private  Sept.  5,  1861 ;  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
Feb.  10,  1863;  prmtd.  capt.  March  28,  1865. 

First  Sergt.  Josiah  T.  Noyes,  e.  Sept.  5,  1861 ;  prmtd.  bat.  Q.  M. 

Addler,  Charles,  e.  Sept.  5,  i86i;-disd.  Oct.  23,  1864. 

Barnes,  George  H.,  e.  Sept.  5,  1861 ;  died  June  15,,  1862. 

Clark,  John  W.,  e.  March  4,  1865 ;  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Combs,  H.  D.,  e.  Sept.  5,  1861 ;  m.  o.  April  21,  1865. 

Cuff,  Thomas,  e.  Feb.  10,  1864. 

Davis,  T.  H.,  e.-Sept.  5,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  as  corp. 

Goddard,  S.  N.,  e.  Sept.  5,  1861 ;  disd.  April  9,  1862,  disab. 

Hill,  Thomas,  e.  Sept.  5,  1861 ;  died  Nov.  15,  1863. 

Jenkins,  George  I.,  e.  Sept.  5,  1861 ;  disd.  April  25,  1863,  disab. 

McCausland,  S.  A.,  e.  Sept.  5,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Myers,  Charles,  e.  Sept.  5,  1861 ;  vet.  Feb.  10,  1864;  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Noyes,  Lucius  A.,  e.  Sept.  5,  1861 ;  disd.  Oct.  28,  1862,  ist  sergt. 

(Unassigned) 

Kleckner,  Aaron,  e.  Jan.  25,  1865. 

Long,  Caspar,  e.  Oct.  n,  1862;  disd.  May  23,  1865. 

Massler,  David  D.,  e.  March  2,  1865. 

Nolan,  Thomas,  e.  Feb.  20,  1865. 

Sherman,  Leonard. 

EIGHTH    CAVALRY. 
COMPANY    G. 

Sergt.  Chalmers  Ingersoll,  e.  Sept.  14,  1862;  vet. 
Coppersmith,  A.,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861 ;  kid.  in  action  Sept.,  1863. 
Chambers,  James  S.,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861 ;  prmtd.  regt.  comsy.  sergt. 
Daniel,  Joseph,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861 ;  vet. 
Diffenbaugh,  David,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861 ;  kid.  July  i,  1863. 
Hollenbeck,  A.,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  m.  June  19,  1865. 
Langdon,  D.  L.,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861 ;  vet.  Jan.  i,  1864;  trans,  to  Co.  K;  m.  o. 
July  17,  1865. 

Miller,  S.  H.,  e.  Sept.  14,  1861 ;  m.  o.  Sept.  28,  1864. 

COMPANY  i. 
High,  Samuel,  e.  Sept.  30,  1864;  m.  o.  July  17,  1865. 

COMPANY    K. 

Langdon,  David. 

Margritz,  George  O.,  e.  Oct.  3,  1864;  m.  o.  July  17,  1865. 


318  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

COMPANY    M. 

Woodcock,  D.  R.,  e.  Dec.  5,  1863;  m.  o.  July  17,  1865. 

TWELFTH    CAVALRY. 

(Unassigned.) 

Brooks,  R.  H.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 
Bronsum,  John  H.,  e.  Dec.  n,  1863. 
Calvin,  Francis  M.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 
Corns tock,  George  R.,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863. 
Erlewine,  Samuel,  e.  Dec.  22,  1863. 
Fitzpatrick,  William,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863. 
Fuller,  Eli  C,  Jan.  5,  1864. 
Green,  Charles,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 
Gardner,  Ed.,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863. 
Giltner,  R.  D.,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863. 
Hyde,  D.,  e.  Jan.  15,  1864. 
Martzall,  S.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 
Mclaughlin,  R.,  e.  Jan.  15,  1864. 
McGill,  William,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863. 
Mullarkey,  John,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863. 
Peterson,  John,  e.  Dec.  n,  1863. 
Ryan,  Henry,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863. 
Shaffer,  George  J.,  e.  Dec.  u,  1863. 

THIRTEENTH    CAVALRY. 

COMPANY    E. 

Gardner,  Brayton,  e.  Oct.  7,  1861 ;  disd.  in  1862. 
Smallwood,  Jr.,  Charles,  e.  Sept.  25,  1861. 

COMPANY    I. 

High,  Henry  A.,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863;  died  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Johnson,  R.  W. 

Kleckner,  H.  C.,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863;  m.  o.  Aug.  31,  1865. 

Kleckner,  J.  M. 

Lamb,  O.  F.,  e.  March  17,  1864. 

Lamb,  J.  D. 

Lamb,  D.  C. 

Miller,  H.  G.,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863;  disd.  June  13,  1865. 

Smith,  John  G.,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Shrove,  Daniel,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Sindlinger,  John,  e.  Jan.  29,  1864;  died  July  8,  1864. 

Sheldon,  O.  D.,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864. 

Studebaker,  Henry. 

Strange,  W. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  319 

FOURTEENTH    CAVALRY. 
COMPANY    I. 

Capt.  Francis  M.  Hagaman,  com.  Jan.  7,  1863;  res.  May  25,  1864. 
Capt.  Francis  Boeke,  com.  ist  lieut.  Jan.  7,  1863;  prmtd.  capt.  May  25,  1864. 
First  Lieut.  Wm.  H.  Puckett,  e.  as  private  Oct.  14,  1862;  prmtd.  2d  lieut. 
Oct.  19       1864;  prmtd.  ist  lieut.  March  28,  1865. 

Addis,  Mattenly,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862;  disd.  Oct.  3,  1864,  disab. 

Allen,  Nelson,  e.  Oct.  22,  1862. 

Bardin,  John,  e.  Oct.  4,  1862;  disd.  July  21,  1863. 

Butterfield,  Wm.  D.,  e.  Nov.  4,  1862;  disd.  July  21,  1863. 

Berininger,  B.,  e.  Dec.  i,  1862;  missing  in  action. 

Clare,  David  S.,  e.  Oct.  14,  1862;  m.  o.  July  31,  1865,  as  sergt. 

Clair,  Wm.,  Oct.  4,  1862;  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Chapin,  K.  W.,  e.  Nov.  18,  1862;  missing  in  action. 

Donahoo,  Wm.  J.,  e.  Feb.  18,  1864;  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Donahoo,  Robert,  e.  March  31,  1864;  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Eby,  Richard  R.,  e.  Oct.  20,  1862;  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Elliott,  D.  M.,  e.  Nov.  7,  1862;  died  Dec.  8,  1863. 

Fouke,  R.  R.,  e.  Jan.  16,  1863;  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Gogan,  John,  e.  Oct.  18,  1862;  missing  in  action. 

Gregsby,  James  M.,  e.  Nov.  5,  1862. 

Gandy,  Alex  M.,  e.  Nov.  10,  1862;  died  Oct.  9,  1864. 

Glass,  Henry,  e.  Nov.  25,  1862;  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Ginther,  John,  e.  Nov.  22,  1862;  m.  o.  June  21,  1865. 

Humphrey,  A.,  e.  Sept.  27,  1862 ;  trans,  to  Co.  E. 

Haggart,  Charles,  e.  Nov.  5,  1862;  tn.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Hollenbeck,  H.  W.,  e.  Oct.  i,  1862;  m.  o.  July  31,  1865,  as  corp. 

Lenan,  M.,  e.  Sept.  15,  1862;  died  Jan.  12,  1863. 

Martin,  Robert  L.,  e.  Feb.  12,  1862;  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Miller,  A.  C.,  e.  Oct.  14,  1862. 

Martin,  A.  W.,  e.  Feb.  18,  1864;  m.  o.  Aug.  4,  1865. 

Miller,  Anton,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862;  disd.  April  5,  1865. 

Morris,  Wm.  F.,  e.  Oct.  17,  1862;  disd.  May  18,  1865. 

Mellois,  John,  e.  Sept.  15,  1862;  missing  in  action. 

Miller,  John  H.,  e.  Oct.  14,  1862;  disd.  June  21,  1865. 

McNicholas,  James,  e.  Dec.  2,  1862;  missing  in  action. 

O'Brien,  James,  e.  Oct.  17,  1862;  m.  o.  July  31,  1865,  as  sergt. 

Pardee,  A.  W.,  e.  Feb.  18,  1862;  disd.  June  23,  1865. 

Pickard,  John  S.,  e.  Nov.  6,  1862;  died  March  29,  1863. 

Rollinson,  M.  D.,  e.  Oct.  14,  1862;  missing  in  action. 

Stewart,  Wm.  H.,  e.  Sept.  24,  1862;  died  Aug.  10,  1863. 

Strange,  John  W.,  e.  Nov.  24,  1862;  disd.  Sept.  17,  1863. 

Schlimmer,  K.,  e.  Dec.  13,  1862;  died  May  23,  1863. 

Strange,  Wm.,  e.  Dec.  24,  1864;  disd. 

Scott,  Alfred  M.,  e.  Feb.  18,  1864;  disd.  March  28,  1865. 


320  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Thompson,  Alex.,  e.  Dec.  i,  1864. 

Vandeburg,  H.,  e.  Oct.  i,  1864;  missing  in  action. 

FIFTEENTH    CAVALRY. 
COMPANY   L. 

Newcomer,  A.  C.,  e.  Feb.  14,  1862;  disd.  March  16,  1863,  disah 
Sinclair,  George  S.,  e.  Feb.  15,  1862. 

SEVENTEENTH    CAVALRY. 
COMPANY    F. 

Black,  E.  O.,  e.  Feb.  5,  1864;  m.  o.  Dec.  18,  1865. 

Bowden,  Hiram,  e.  Dec.  10,  1863;  drowned  July  3,  1864. 

Clark,  H.  R.,  e.  Jan.  25,  1864. 

Delate,  L.  W.,  e.  Dec.  25,  1863;  died  July  26,  1864. 

Davis,  E.  H.,  e.  Dec.  15,  1864;  m.  o.  Dec.  18,  1865. 

Delate,  William  D.,  e.  Dec.  15,  1864;  m.  o.  June  12,  1865,  disab. 

Horton,  Geo.  E.,  e.  Jan.  23,  1864;  m.  o.  Dec.  18,  1865. 

Hall,  James  H.,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864;  trans,  to  inv.  corps. 

Justice,  Charles  T.,  e.  Jan.  23,  1864. 

Luke,  Moses  H.,  e.  Jan.  25,  1864;  m.  o.  Dec.  18,  1865. 

Mapes,  William,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864;  m.  o.  Dec.  18,  1865. 

Phifer,  John  W.,  e.  Dec.  15,  1863;  m.  o.  Dec.  18,  1863. 

COMPANY    H. 

Redder,  Bernard,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864;  m.  o.  May  23,  1865. 

COMPANY    M. 

Bolster,  William  A.,  e.  Feb.  5,  1864 ;  m.  o.  Nov.  23,  1865. 

Brooks,  R,  H.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864;  m.  o.  Nov.  23,  1865. 

Carver,  Mellen. 

Calvin,  F.  M.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864. 

Fitzpatrick,  William,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863;  m.  o.  Nov.  23,  1865. 

Fuller,  E.  C.,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864;  m.  o.  May  25,  1864. 

Green,  Charles,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864;  disd.  July  14,  1864. 

Gardner,  Edw.,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863;  m.  o.  Nov.  23,  1865. 

Giltner,  R.  D.,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863. 

Hyde,  Daniel,  e.  Jan.  15,  1864. 

Harmon,  William,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864;  m.  o.  Nov.  23,  1865. 

Harvey,  Albert. 

McLaughlin,  Richard,  e.  Jan.  15,  1864. 

Martzall,  Solomon,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864;  m.  o.  July  18,  1865. 

McGill,  William,  e.  Dec.  31,  1863;  m.  o.  Nov.  23,  1865. 

FIRST   ARTILLERY. 

(Unassigned.) 

Adams,  John  H.,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863. 
Lynds,  H.,  e.  Sept.  28,  1864. 
Reuter,  Peter,  e.  Aug.  24,  1864. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  321 

SECOND   ARTILLERY. 
COMPANY   E. 

Burkhard,  Casper,  e.  Aug.  31,  1862. 

Shillibg,  Frederick,  e.  Aug.  31,  1862;  died  March  20,  1863. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 
EIGHTH    INFANTRY. 

Adjt.  Leander  A.  Sheetz,  com.  March  20,  1865;  m.  o.  May  4,  1866. 
Second  Lieut.  Daniel  A.  Sheetz,  com.  Sept.,  1861 ;  kid.  in  bat. 

EIGHTEENTH    INFANTRY. 

(Consolidated.) 

Capt.  Urias  H.  Eaton,  com.  ist  lieut.  March  18,  1865,  prmtd.  capt.  July  17, 
1865;  res.  Oct.  12,  1865. 

FIFTY-SEVENTH    INFANTRY. 

Forbes,  Edwin,  e.  Dec.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  27,  1863 ;  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Rodmire,  Joseph,  e.  Dec.  10,  1861 ;  vet.  Dec.  27,  1863;  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 

FIFTY-EIGHTH    INFANTRY. 

Bauer,  Peter,  e.  Nov.  30,  1861 ;  supposed  to  be  dead. 
James,  Phillip,  e.  Nov.  20,  1861 ;  died  Feb.,  1862,  wds. 
Koller,  Jacob,  e.  Nov.  28,  1861. 

SIXTY-FOURTH    INFANTRY. 

Reisch,  Chris,  e.  Dec.  i,  1861. 

SEVENTY-SECOND    INFANTRY. 
SEVENTY-FIFTH     INFANTRY. 

Stoddard,  Farrell,  e.  ;  died  Sept.  4,  1864. 

Surg.  Chesseldon  Fisher,  com.  July  28,  1863;  res.  Nov.  22,  1864. 

EIGHTY-NINTH    INFANTRY. 

Ayers,  John,  e.  Nov.  28,  1863 ;  trans,  to  39th.  inf. 
Koym,  William,  e.  Oct.  26,  1863 ;  kid.  June  22,  1864. 
Creschance,  Case,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862;  m.  o.  June  10,  1865. 
Conner,  Michael,  e.  July  31,  1862;  disd.  Jan.  29,  1865,  disab. 
Roe,  Chas.  E.,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862;  prmtd.  Q.  M.  Sergt. 
Snyder,  Chris,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Wadsworth,  O.  T.,  e.  July  31,  1862;  m.  o.  June  10,  1865. 
Stitle,  Henry,  e. 

STEPHENSON   COUNTY    SOLDIERS'   MONUMENT. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war  for  the  Union,  there  was  considerable  dis- 
cussion among  the  leading  citizens  of  Stephenson  County,  "without  regard  to 
party  affiliations,  as  to  the  propriety  of  erecting  a  suitable  monument  to  com- 
memorate the  heroism  of  the  noble  sons  of  Stephenson  County  who  had  vol- 
untarily laid  down  their  lives  upon  the  altar  of  their  country,  and  the  opinion 


322  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

was  universal  that  the  living  owed  such  a  lasting  memento  to  the  memory  of 
their  gallant  dead."  No  steps  were  taken,  however,  until  the  winter  of  1868, 
when  a  mass  meeting  was  called  on  Saturday,  February  19,  1868,  at  the  hall  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  in  Freeport.  The  meeting  was  well  attended. 
General  Smith  D.  Atkins  was  elected  chairman,  and  C.  C.  Shuler,  Esq.,  secretary. 
A  constitution  for  forming  the  Stephenson  County  Soldiers'  Monument  Asso- 
ciation was  reported  and  unanimously  adopted,  of  which  Articles  I  and  II  read 
as  follows: 

ARTICLE   I. NAME. 

Section  i.  This  Association  shall  be  known  as  "The  Stephenson  County 
Soldiers'  Monument  Association." 

ARTICLE  II. OBJECT. 

Section  i.  The  object  of  this  association  shall  be  the  erection  of  a  suitable 
monument,  or  memorial,  to  the  memory  of  the  gallant  dead  of  Stephenson 
County,  who  have  laid  down  their  lives  while  serving  in  the  armies  of  the 
United  States  during  the  rebellion,  in  order  to  rescue  their  names  from  forget- 
fulness,  and  suitably  honor  their  heroic  devotion  to  country  and  liberty,  when 
country  and  liberty  were  in  peril. 

Articles  III  and  IV  provided  for  the  proper  officers  of  the  association,  and 
minutely  defined  their  duties,  which  were  those  usual  to  such  associations,  and 
we  omit  them  here. 

On  motion,  the  following  officers  were  elected  as  provided  for  by  the  con- 
stitution ;  President,  Hon.  John  H.  Addatns,  of  Cedarville ;  vice  presidents,  Gen- 
eral Wilson  Shaffer,  of  Freeport;  Ross  Babcock,  of  Ridott;  Major  J.  W.  Mc- 
Kim,  of  Freeport,  and  Captain  J.  P.  Reel,  of  Buckeye;  recording  secretary-, 
General  Smith  D.  Atkins,  of  Freeport;  corresponding  secretary,  James  S.  Mc- 
Call,  of  Freeport;  treasurer,  Captain  William  Young,  of  Silver  Creek.  Execu- 
tive committee:  C.  C.  Shuler,  Freeport;  Captain  William  Cox,  Winslow;  B. 
P.  Belknap,  Oneco;  Daniel  Bellman,  Rock  Grove;  Captain  J.  M.  Schermerhorn, 
West  Point ;  Levi  Robey,  Waddams ;  Captain  William  Stewart,  Buckeye ;  Cap- 
tain Robert  T.  Cooper,  Rock  Run;  Captain  George  S.  Kleckner,  Kent;  Captain 
F.  A.  Darling,  Erin ;  Perez  A.  Tisdell,  Harlem ;  Captain  W.  J.  Reitzel,  Lancas- 
ter; Hon.  James  S.  Taggart,  Ridott;  Frederick  Baker,  Silver  Creek;  Conrad 
Van  Brocklin,  Florence;  Major  H.  M.  Timms,  Loran;  John  R.  Hayes,  Jeffer- 
son, and  Harrison  Diemer,  Dakota. 

Immediately  thereafter,  a  meeting  of  the  executive  committee  was  called 
in  the  parlors  of  the  Second  National  Bank  in  Freeport,  which  was  fully  at- 
tended, and  an  address  was  prepared  and  published  to  the  citizens  of  the  county 
inviting  them  to  subscribe  to  the  fund  for  building  the  monument.  It  was  de- 
cided to  have  a  membership  certificate  engraved,  with  correct  likenesses  of 
Colonel  Holden  Putnam,  Ninety-third  Illinois  Volunteers,  Colonel  John  A.  Da- 
vis, Forty-sixth  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  Major  William  R.  Goddard.  Fifteenth 
Illinois  Volunteers,  engraved  thereon,  they  being  the  only  field  officers  from 
Stephenson  County  who  had  given  their  lives  in  the  war;  such  membership 
certificate  to  be  issued  to  each  subscriber  of  $1.00  or  more.  A  meeting  was  ap- 
pointed for  each  township  in  the  county  to  urge  the  citizens  to  take  hold  of  the 
work,  all  of  which  meetings  were  addressed  by  the  secretary  of  the  association, 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  323 

General  S.  D.  Atkins,  and  at  many  of  the  meetings  he  was  accompanied  by  Hon, 
J.  M.  Bailey  and  Major  I.  C.  Lawver.  In  the  newspaper  report  of  one  of 
these  meetings  held  at  Ridott,  we  find  the  following  pleasant  reference:  "At 
Ridott,  a  small  audience  subscribed  a  little  upward  of  $100.  The  meeting  was 
addressed  by  General  Atkins  and  Major  Lawver.  The  Major  referred  to  the 
fact  that  before  the  war  he  was  a  Democrat  in  sentiment,  while  General  Atkins 
was  a  Republican.  They  went  to  war  in  the  same  regiment  and  fought  side 
by  side ;  neither  has  changed  his  political  sentiments,  and  now  they  are  side  by 
side  in  honoring  their  dead  comrades.  So  it  should  be  with  Democrats  and 
Republicans.  The  soldiers  lost  their  lives  for  their  country,  and  all  parties 
should  join  in  erecting  a  monument  to  their  heroism."  The  meetings  held  in 
the  townships  resulted  in  a  very  thorough  organization  in  all  parts  of  the  county, 
but,  after  pretty  thorough  canvassing,  only  $3,500  had  been  pledged  on  the  va- 
rious township  subscriptions.  The  officers  of  the  association  therefore  resolved 
to  ask  the  Board  of  Supervisors  to  make  an  appropriation  to  be  added  to  the 
voluntary  subscriptions  that  altogether  would  be  sufficient  for  the  completion 
of  a  suitable  soldiers'  monument  in  commemoration  of  the  heroic  dead  of  the 
entire  county.  On  Tuesday,  June  29,  1869,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  being 
in  special  session,  Hon.  John  H.  Addams,  the  president  of  the  association,  Cap- 
tain William  Young,  treasurer,  and  General  S.  D.  Atkins,  secretary,  as  a  com- 
mittee on  the  part  of  the  Soldiers'  Monument  Association,  waited  upon  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  and  requested  from  them  permission  to  erect  the  monu- 
ment on  the  Court  House  Square  in  the  city  of  Freeport,  and  also  a  suitable 
donation  to  aid  in  its  erection.  Permission  was  granted  by  the  Board  to  erect 
the  monument  on  the  public  square  as  requested,  and  the  sum  of  $6,000  voted  to 
aid  in  the  erection  of  the  monument  by  an  almost  unanimous  vote,  only  one  dis- 
senting, and  from  that  hour  the  completion  of  the  Stephenson  County  soldiers' 
monument  was  assured.  The  following  members  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
were  added  to  the  execvitive  committee  of  the  monument  association :  S.  K. 
Fisher,  of  Waddams;  James  McFatrich,  of  West  Point,  and  James  A.  Grimes, 
of  Lancaster. 

The  funds  for  erecting  the  monument  having  been  provided,  the  secretary 
was  instructed  to  advertise  in  the  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Cincinnati  and  Chi- 
cago papers  for  designs  and  plans  for  a  monument  to  be  submitted  at  a  meeting 
of  the  association  on  July  28,  1869,  at  which  time  there  were  artists  present 
with  plans  from  all  the  cities  named.  General  Atkins  also  submitted  a  plan 
designed  by  himself,  for  a  monument  of  Joliet  marble,  12  x  12  at  base,  eighty- 
three  feet  high,  to  be  surmounted  on  the  top  with  a  statue  of  "Victory"  in 
bronze,  thirteen  feet  high,  making  the  monument  ninety-six  feet  from  the  base 
to  the  top  of  the  statue  of  "Victory,"  with  life-size  soldiers  on  the  four  corners 
of  the  lower  base  of  the  monument,  in  bronze,  representing  the  four  arms  of 
the  service — infantry,  cavalry,  artillery  and  navy.  After  full  discussion  of  the 
various  plans  submitted,  on  motion  of  Daniel  Bellman,  of  Rock  Grove,  the  de- 
sign prepared  and  submitted  by  General  S.  D.  Atkins  was  adopted.  H.  H.  Upp 
was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  building  of  the  monument,  with  authority  to 
make  all  contracts.  Hon.  John  H.  Addams,  James  A.  Grimes,  Samuel  K.  Fisher, 
Dr.  W.  J.  McKim,  Captain  William  Young  and  Gen.  Smith  D.  Atkins  were 


324  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

appointed  a  sub-building  committee,  to  approve  all  contracts  before  they  should 
be  in  force. 

The  contracts  were  immediately  let  and  the  erection  of  the  monument  pro- 
ceeded with.  Under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  H.  H.  Upp,  Mr.  Adolph  Beo- 
diker  prepared  the  foundation;  Elias  Perkins  contracted  to  lay  up  the  Joliet 
stone  and  the  Chicago  Terra  Cotta  Company  contracted  to  furnish  the  statue 
of  "Victory"  and  the  four  soldiers,  which  were  especially  prepared  by  the  cele- 
brated artist,  Sig.  Giovanni  Meli.  The  Terra  Cotta  Company  contracted  to 
furnish  the  statuary  in  bronze,  but,  hoping  to  do  better,  covered  them  with 
copper  by  an  electric  bath,  and  failed  to  make  the  deposit  of  copper  sufficiently 
heavy,  so  that  the  copper  cracked  and  scaled  off,  and  the  statuary  was  after- 
ward painted  by  Mr.  Daniel  Adamson  in  imitation  of  Joliet  marble,  the  material 
out  of  which  the  monument  was  constructed.  The  colossal  statue  of  "Victory" 
surmounting  the  monument,  designed  by  the  celebrated  artist,  Sig.  Giovanni 
Meli,  is  an  original  conception  of  the  artist,  and  is  a  work  of  very  great  artistic 
merit.  The  Chicago  Republican  of  Friday,  December  17,  1869,  thus  refers  to 
it:  "But  the  last  great  work  of  this  artist  is  the  colossal  statue  of  'Victory,' 
which  he  has  made  from  an  original  design  and  which  is  intended  to  render  in 
terra  cotta  for  the  soldiers'  monument  at  Freeport.  The  'Victory'  is  the  largest 
sculptural  work  ever  composed  in  America,  being  thirteen  feet  high.  It  is,  even 
to  the  minutest  detail,  finished  as  perfectly  as  the  finest  marble  statue.  While 
the  imposing  dignity  and  majestic  pose  of  the  figure  at  once  impress  the  be- 
holder, yet  the  proportions  are  so  nicely  observed  and  such  is  the  careful  and 
artistic  handling  of  the  drapery,  which  sweeps  in  broad,  massive  folds  to  the  feet 
of  the  figure,  that  its  colossal  height  and  great  size  do  not  at  once  appear.  The 
figure  stands  in  a  strong  and  confident,  though  not  bold,  posture,  with  its  right 
foot  slightly  advanced,  and  a  portion  of  the  weight  of  the  body  thrown  upon 
the  right  hand,  which  rests  on  the  staff  of  a  large  flag.  The  flag  is  gathered  up 
in  large  folds  by  the  sweep  of  the  right  arm,  while,  as  if  caught  by  some  passing 
breeze,  the  fluttering  ends  swell  out  behind  in  broad  waves  of  graceful  drapery, 
so  light  and  silken  that  they  seem  almost  to  apple  in  the  air.  The  left  hand 
hangs  by  the  side  with  an  easy  grace  and  holds  the  symbolic  olive.  The  head — 
ah !  there  is  the  imposing  dignity  which,  like  an  atmosphere,  is  rather  felt  than 
seen  in  the  figure.  Set  on  a  neck  which  suggests  rather  than  impresses  power, 
is  the  grand  head  which  crowns  the  statue,  and  which  in  its  benignant  dignity 
blends  the  imperial  justice  of  the  conqueror  with  the  melting  mercy  of  an  in- 
jured though  pardoning  ruler.  The  head  is  thrown  back  as  if  a  glorious  sense 
of  triumph  thrilled  it  through  with  joy;  and,  though  the  eyes  are  raised  as  if  a 
gleam  of  the  battle  fire  still  lit  them  with  a  glorious  passion,  yet  the  lips  are 
parted  with  a  smile  of  calm,  satisfied  peace  that  softens  the  sternness  of  the 
upper  face.  There  is  a  curious  interblending  of  the  ancient  and  modern  in  the 
face,  which,  though  at  first  sight  incongruous,  has  been  made  by  the  artist  to 
secure  an  effect  that  could  not  otherwise  have  been  produced.  The  eyes  and 
forehead  are  purely  Grecian,  and  have  an  imperious,  almost  a  hard  boldness 
of  expression,  while  the  cheek,  chin  and  mouth  are  rounded  with  a  sweet  and 
tender  grace  that  relieves  the  face  from  that  otherwise  stern  and  strong  look, 
and  gives  to  it  a  modern  type  or  cast  of  countenance  seldom  before  introduced 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  325 

in  sculpture.  Thus,  while  the  full  face  view  gives  to  the  beholder  the  impres- 
sion of  an  imperious  and  proud  queen,  calm  in  her  self-poised  dignity,  and 
strong  in  her  self-reliant  nature,  the  profile — contrary  to  all  precedent — seems 
melted  with  the  sunshine  of  a  happy  spirit,  which  suffuses  the  whole  face  with 
a  smile.  Usually  the  character  is  shown  by  the  profile,  which  is  more  pro- 
nounced than  the  open  face,  but  the  artist  says  that  the  subject  demanded  the 
blending  of  Grecian  features  with  American,  and  the  happy  effect  produced  by 
this  combination  has  united  dignity  with  grace,  and  sweetness  with  strength." 
On  Tuesday,  October  19,  1869,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with  great  cere- 
mony, under  the  auspices  of  the  Masonic  bodies  of  Freeport,  participated  in 
by  the  Odd  Fellows,  Turnvereins,  Fire  Department  and  Citizens.  Dr.  W.  J. 
McKim  was  Grand  Marshal.  After  the  Masonic  ceremonies  were  concluded, 
the  Freeport  Journal  says :  "The  Senior  Grand  Warden  introduced  Sir  Knight 
General  Smith  D.  Atkins,  who,  owing  to  the  absence  of  Sir  Knight  Colonel 
Thomas  J.  Turner,  orator  of  the  day,  was  invited  and  delivered  an  effective 
and  eloquent  address  of  some  twenty  minutes'  duration."  The  lower  base  of 
the  monument  is  12x12  feet  and  twelve  feet  high.  On  each  of  the  four  sides 
are  two  niches,  in  which  a  panel  of  white  marble  is  inserted,  on  which  are  cut 
the  names  of  those  soldiers  of  Stephenson  County  who  are  known  to  have  given 
their  lives  for  their  country,  as  follows : 

Eighth  Regiment,  I.  V.  I.— F.  Benglesdorff,  Co.  E;  A.  A.  Berryhill,  Co.  F, 
killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  22,  1863 ;  Joseph  Berger,  Co.  I,  died  at  Marshall, 
Texas,  September  12,  1865;  Lieutenant  H.  A.  Sheets,  Co.  — ,  killed  at  Fort 
Donelson,  February  15,  1862. 

Eleventh  Regiment,  I.  V.  I. — J.  Alexander,  Co.  A,  died  August  31,  1861 ; 
F.  R.  Bellman,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  February  15,  1862;  John  Brad- 
ford, Co.  A,  died  of  disease  contracted  in  service, ;  John 

Cronemiller,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  February  15,  1862;  William  ding- 
man,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  February  15,  1862;  Louis  Clement,  Co. 
D,  died  of  wounds,  July  27,  1864;  Thomas  Chattaway,  Co.  A,  drowned  at 

Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  - — ;  William  Eddy,  Co.  A,  died  at  Camp 

Hardin ;  Captain  Silas  W.  Field,  Co.  A,  died  of  wounds,  May  9,  1862 ;  John  W. 
Fry,  Co.  A,  died  October  17,  1862;  Franklin  T.  Goodrich,  Co.  A,  killed  at 
Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  David  F.  Graham,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  Febru- 
ary 15,  1862;  Henry  Greenwold,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  February  15, 
1862;  John  M.  Hauman,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  Franklin -D. 
Hartman,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  B.  N.  Kramer,  Co.  A;  Joseph 
Kailey,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  February  15,  1862;  Franklin  D.  Lambert, 
Co.  A,  killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  22,  1863;  S.  McGinnis,  Co.  A;  R.  Clothin, 

Co.  A ;  David  McCormick,  Co.  A,  died  of  wounds,  -  ;  Isaac 

N.  Ross,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  February  15,  1862;  Hial  B.  Springer, 
Co.  A,  died  of  wounds,  July  14,  1862;  John  A.  Thompson,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Fort 
Donelson,  February  15,  1862;  John  Trimper,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson, 
February  15,  1862;  Milton  S.  Weaver,  Co.  A,  died  September  2,  1861 ;  George 
Wohlford,  Co.  A,  died  August  26,  1863 ;  James  Wentz,  Co.  A,  died  of  wounds, 
May  19,  1862. 

Twelfth  Regiment — G.  Smith. 


326  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Fifteenth  Regiment,  I.  V.  I. — B.  W.  Ballenger,  Co.  G;  George  A.  Barton, 
Co.  A,  died  February  27,  1862;  A.  V.  S.  Butler,  Co.  G,  died  January  4,  1864; 
R  B.  Bailey,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  A.  Brahm,  Co.  G,  died  De- 
cember 15,  1862;  J.  H.  Bowker,  Co.  G,  died  August  17,  1861 ;  W.  J.  Buswell, 
Co.  G,  died  October  14,  1863;  E.  S.  Denton,  Co.  G;  J.  Clingman,  Co.  G;  E.  A. 
V.  S.  Butler,  Co.  G ;  R.  B.  Bailey,  Co.  G ;  A.  Brahm,  Co.  G ;  J.  H.  Bowker,  Co. 

G;  J.  Clingman,  Co.  G; Deye,  Co.  E,  died  of  wounds,  May  5, 

1862;  M.  Doyle,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  Major  William  R.  God- 
dard,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  W.  Ells,  Co.  G;  J.  H.  Hawkins,  Co.  E; 
J.  Illingworth,  Co.  G;  M.  V.  Kline,  Co.  G,  died  November  8,  1861 ;  F.  Kline, 
Co.  E,  died  at  Andersonville,  September  10,  1864;  E.  W.  Ling,  Co.  G,  died 
August  15,  1863 ;  C.  Lashell,  Co.  H,  died  July  12,  1865 ;  J.  Mook,  Co.  G;  S.  Mook, 
Co.  G;  J.  Murphy,  Co.  G;  D.  Milholin,  Co.  G,  died'of  wounds,  June  24,  1862; 
John  Niemeyer,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862 ;  Hugh  Phillips,  Co.  G,  died 
June  6,  1862;  H.  Stamm,  Co.  G;  J.  H.  Ross,  Co.  I;  Charles  Smith,  Co.  E,  died 
April  22,  1862;  David  Stocks,  Co.  I,  died  of  wounds,  June  24,  1869;  E.  D.  Solace, 
Co.  I,  died  of  wounds,  April  8,  1862 ;  D.  R.  P.  Stites,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April 
6,  1862;  O.  Tenant,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds,  April  6,  1862;  J.  S.  Weeler,  Co.  G, 
killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862 ;  J.  W.  Van  Valzah,  assistant  surgeon,  died  Au- 
gust 9,  1863;  J.  Wier,  Co.  B, 

Eighteenth  Regiment,  I.  V.  I. — Cyrus  Paden,  Co.  G,  died  at  Camp  Butler, 
April  6,  1865;  J.  Maxwell,  Co.  I. 

Twenty-sixth  Regiment,  I.  V.  I. — Philip  Baker,  Co.  B,  killed  at  Farmington, 
May  9,  1862;  Jans.  Butcher,  Co.  B,  died  at  Chattanooga,  October  13,  1864; 
John  F.  Black,  Co.  H,  died  of  wounds  at  Marietta,  September  n,  1863;  Aaron 
Clay,  Co.  B,  died  at  Danville,  Mississippi,  July  n,  1862;  Charles  Choppy,  Co. 
B,  died  of  wounds  at  Chattanooga,  May  3,  1864;  J.  P.  Ditty,  Co.  B,  died  at 
Keokuk,  August  17,  1863;  William  Eshelman,  Co.  B,  died  July  27,  1862;  William 

A.  Eggert,  Co.  B,  died  June  14,  1862;  A.  J.  Eastland,  Co.  I,  died  at  Camp  Sher- 
man, August  18,  1863 ;  Julius  Frisbee,  Co.  B,  died  at  Point  Pleasant,  April  2, 
1862;  Charles  Gold,  Co.  B,  died  of  wounds,  January  9,  1864;  Simon  Gates,  Co. 

B.  died  September  17,  1863 ;  John  Geiser,  Co.  B,  died  of  wounds  at  Chattanooga, 
January  2,  1864;  Aaron  Heise,  Sr.,  Co.  B,  died  at  Scottsboro,  March  24,  1864; 
John  Heise,  Co.  B,  died  of  wounds  at  Marietta,  August  9,  1864;  Moses  Heise, 
Co.  B,  died  at  Scottsboro,  March  22,  1864;  George  H.  Hettle,  Co.  B,  killed  at 
Scottsboro,  May  i,  1864;  Lieutenant  John  Irvin,  Co.  G,  died  October  6,   1863; 

C.  D.  Jinks,  Co.  B,  died  at  Scottsboro,  March  20,   1864;  W.  Knauss,  Co.  G, 
died  at  Resaca,  August  13,  1864;  J.  Kinney,  Co.  B,  died  at  Atlanta,  July  22, 
1864;  J.  Keigan,  Co.  I;  Wm.  Long,  Co.  E,  died  at  luka,  August  28,  1862;  D. 
Morris,  Co.  B,  died  of  wounds  at  Dallas,  May  29,  1864;  P.  E.  Montague,  Co.  B, 
killed  at  Scottsboro,  April  30,  1864;  L.  McCoy,  Co.  B,  died  of  wounds,  Chat- 
tanooga, July  22,   1864;  Thomas  Nicholas,  Co.  B,  died  at  Corinth,  October  4, 
1862;  John  J.  Nigg,  Co.  B,  died  of  wounds  at  Danville,  July  7,  1862;  William 

Quinn,  Co.  B,  died  -  .;  S.  J.  Robinold,  Co.  B,  died  at  Farmington, 

May  22,   1862;  A.  L.  Rice,  Co.  H,  died  of  wounds  at  Marietta,  October   14, 
1864;  P.  E.  Smith,  Co.  B,  killed  at  Reseca,  May  13,  1864;  John  Schmidt,  Co. 
B,  killed  at  Mission  Ridge,  November  25,  1863 ;  Egbert  Snyder,  Co.  B,  died  at 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  327 

Scottsboro,  March  17,  1864;  J.  P.  Winters,  Co.  B,  died  at  Corinth,  October  10, 
1862 ;  Thomas  Wishart,  Co.  B,  died  at  Memphis,  November  27,  1863 ;  J. 
Walkey,  Co.  B,  died  at  New  Madrid,  March  22,  1862;  John  Walton,  Co.  B, 
killed  March  7,  1865. 

Thirty-second  Regiment,  I.  V.  I. — J.  P.  Walker,  Co.  C,  died  at  Annapolis, 
March  10,  1865 ;  F.  J.  Erickson,  Co.  A. 

Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  I.  V.  I. — J.  H.  Brown,  Co.  H,  died  of  wounds, 
May  n,  1862. 

SOLDIERS  NAMES  ON  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  SOLDIERS'   MONUMENT. 

Thirty-seventh  Regiment,  I.  V.  I.— N.  G.  Wire,  Co.  D,  killed  at  Pea  Ridge, 
March  7,  1862;  A.  W.  Tarbert,  Co. . 

Thirty-ninth  Regiment,  I.  V.  I. — W.  Agney,  Co.  G,  killed  in  Virginia,  Octo- 
ber 13,  1864. 

Forty-second  Regiment,  I.  V.  I. — Samuel  Kohl,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds, 

December  ,  1864;  L.  Mossman,  Co.  G,  died  at  Andersonville,  March  i, 

1865;  L.  Warner,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds,  January  n,  1865;  W.  Bunte,  Jr. 

Forty-fifth  Regiment,  I.  V.  I. — J.  Jordan,  Co.  C;  Andrew  Mourn,  Co.  C, 
killed  -  -;  W.  T.  McClothlin,  Co.  B;  J.  Watterson,  Co.  G,  killed 

at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862. 

Forty-sixth  Regiment,  I.  V.  I. — A.  F.  Arnold,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April 
6,  1862;  William  Andre,  Co.  A,  died  at  Duval's  Bluff,  December  10,  1864; 
William  W.  Allison,  Co.  A,  died  at  Memphis,  March  16,  1863;  A.  E.  Arnold, 

Co.  A,  died  at  ;  Cyrus  Ashenfelter,  Co.  B,  died  at  Camp  Butler, 

December  6,  1861 ;  F.  Ashenfelter,  Co.  D;  Robert  G.  Aikey,  Co.  G,  killed  at 
Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  John  Apker,  Co.  K,  died  at  Mobile,  May  6,  1865;  Robert 
T.  Best,  Co.  A,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  November  7,  1861 ;  Wesley  J.  Best,  Co. 
A,  died  of  wounds  at  Vicksburg,  August  19,  1864;  R.  D.  Bruner,  Co.  A,  died 
at  Cairo,  October  6,  1864;  Edward  Barrett,  Co.  A,  died  at  Vicksburg,  August 
12,  1864;  Charles  F.  Bower,  Co.  B,  died  of  wounds,  April  23,  1862;  A.  Bauer, 

Co.  C,  died  -  ;  H.  Bagger,  Co.  C,  died  at  Bolivar,  October  15,  1862; 

A.  Buckhardt,  Co.  C,  died  at  Salubriety  Springs,  July  24,  1865 ;  J.  S.  Brown, 
Co.  G,  died  of  wounds,  April  28,  1862;  R.  Brubaker,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds, 
August  9,  1862;  George  D.  Beeler,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  B.  L. 

Bates,  Co.  G,  died  at  La  Grange,  July  12,  1862;  L.  C.  Butler,  Co.  K,  died ; 

James  A.  Butler,  Co.  K,  died  at  La  Grange,  July  12,  1862;  George  F.  Brown, 
Co.  K,  died  at  St.  Louis,  May  18,  1862 ;  Dudley  Barker,  Co.  K,  died  in  Shreve- 
port,  June  17,  1865 ;  A.  Barker,  Co.  B ;  John  Brace,  Co.  K,  died  of  wounds, 
May  22,  1862 ;  Lieutenant  Louis  E.  Butler,  Co.  K,  died  at  Salubriety  Springs, 
October  5,  1865;  J.  Backus,  Co.  K;  Hiram  Clingman,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Shiloh, 
April  6,  1862;  Charles  Clouse,  Co.  A,  died  at  Mound  City,  September  7,  1862; 
George  Cox,  Co.  B,  died  of  wounds,  October  9,  1862;  Henry  Cruger,  Co.  B, 
died  at  Big  Black,  April  n,  1864;  Thomas  A.  Clingman,  Co.  F,  died  of  wounds, 
— ;  W.  Cramer,  Co.  K;  J.  Chambers,  Co.  B;  Colonel  John  A.  Davis, 
died  of  wounds,  Bolivar,  October  10,  1862;  D.  P.  DeHaven,  Co.  A,  died  at 
Memphis,  September  22,  1862;  Daniel  Dreisbach,  Co.  G,  died  at  Memphis,  May 


328  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

12,  1863;  Thomas  H.  Dodson,  Co.  K,  died  June  i,  1862;  Joseph  Doan,  Co.  K, 
died  at  Vicksburg,  May  28,  1864;  Jacob  Dobson,  Co.  K,  died  October  30,  1864; 
J.  E.  Derrick,  Co.  A;  John  Elliott,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  B.  W. 
Eghusen,  Co.  C,  died  at  St.  Louis,  May  19,  1864;  Lansing  Ells,  Co.  D,  died  of 
wounds,  May  14,  1864;  Marion  Ely,  Co.  K,  died  at  Vicksburg,  August  8,  1864; 
Johann  J.  Esh,  Co.  C,  died  -  -;  W.  Elliott,  Co.  A;  A.  M.  Fellows,  Co. 

A,  died  of  wounds,  Quincy,  May  2,  1862;  R.  A.  Fawver,  Co.  A,  drowned  Au- 
gust 20,  1864;  Henry  Prize,  Co.  B,  died  May  31,  1862;  C.  Frewart,  Co.  C,  died 
at  Duval's  Bluff,  December  19,  1864;  T.  S.  Felton,  Co.  K,  died  at  Freeport, 

March  17,  1862;  J.  D.  Fogle,  Co.  D;  Charles  H.  Gramp,  Co.  C,  died  -       ; 

Hiram  C.  Galpin,  Co.  A,  died  July  8,  1862;  William  A.  George,  Co.  B,  died  at 
New  Orleans,  September  10,  1864;  H.  Giboni,  Co.  C,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6, 
1862;  Gotlieb  Greetzley,  Co.  C,  died  of  wounds  at  Louisville,  April  26,  1862; 
Samuel  H.  Groken,  Co.  G,  died  about  April  6,  1862;  E.  H.  Gardener,  Co.  K, 
died  at  Corinth,  June  18,  1862;  John  Hoot,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6, 
1862 ;  H.  W.  Hollenbeck,  Co.  A,  died  of  wounds,  May  3,  1862 ;  W.  H.  Holsinger, 
Co.  A,  died  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  April  i,  1862;  Sergeant  Major  J.  E.  Hershey, 
died  ;  Langford  Hill,  Co.  B,  died ;  Lieu- 
tenant H.  Harbert,  Co.  C,  died  ;  Andrew  Hess,  Co.  B,  died 

of  wounds  at  New  Orleans,  April  24,  1865 ;  F.  Hasselman,  Co.  C,  killed 
at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  F.  Heine,  Co.  C,  killed  near  Jackson,  July  8,  1864; 
O.  Husinga,  Co.  C,  died  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  May  5,  1862;  H.  H.  Hay- 
den,  Co.  D,  died  at  Memphis,  January  6,  1865 ;  Henry  H.  Hulet,  Co.  G,  died  at 
Hamburg,  May  30,  1862;  William  Helm,-  Co.  G,  died  at  Vicksburg,  June  26, 
1863;  William  Haines,  Co.  G,  died  in  Stephenson  County,  February  16,  1863; 
Barney  Hand,  Co.  K,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  December  26,  1861 ;  Lieutenant 
Thomas  M.  Hood,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  Samuel  E.  Hershey, 

Co.   B,  died  -;  O.   Kittleson,  Co.   K;  W.  T.  Johnson  and  J.   Y. 

Haughney,  Co.  B;  Eugene  V.  Kellogg,  Co.  B,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862; 
Albert  Kocher,  Co.  C,  died  at  Louisville,  May  15,  1862;  C.  Kahn,  Co.  C,  died 
at  St.  Louis,  May  15,  1862;  Jacob  Kramer,  Co.  C,  died  at  St.  Louis,  July  19, 
1862;  H.  Klock,  Co.  C,  died  in  Kentucky,  July  4,  1862;  F.  Kraemer,  Co.  C,  died 
at  Corinth,  May  26,  1862;  A.  Knock,  Co.  C,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862; 
John  Katlerer,  Co.  C,  died  at  New  Orleans,  September  18,  1864;  Carl  Krueger, 
Co.  C,  died  at  Duval's  Bluff,  November  29,  1864;  Hiram  R.  Knight,  Co.  D, 
died  at  Vicksburg,  June  3,  1864;  George  Kettner,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds, 
April  12,  1862;  F.  J.  LeFevre,  Co.  C,  died  of  wounds,  April  9,  1862;  Daniel 
Lobdell,  Co.  B,  died  at  Cairo,  October  3,  1864;  Aaron  Lapp,  Co.  C,  died  at 
Fort  Henry,  May  4,  1862;  John  Larve,  Co.  G,  died  at  Vicksburg,  June  27,  1863; 
Peter  LaBell,  Co.  G,  died  at  Louisville,  June  2,  1862;  James  LaHay,  Co.  K,  died 
at  New  Orleans,  February  19,  1865;  Captain  John  Musser,  Co.  A,  died  of 
wounds,  April  24,  1862;  Charles  F.  More,  Co.  A,  died  of  wounds  at  Memphis, 
April  2,  1863 ;  J.  C.  McCarthy,  Co.  A,  died  at  Freeport,  March  9,  1865 ;  D.  J. 
Mingle,  Co.  B,  died  -  - ;  J.  H.  Mingle,  Co.  B,  died  -  - ; 

Willard  F.  May,  Co.  A,  died  at  Vicksburg,  May  18,  1864;  Harry  A.  Mack,  Co. 
B,  died  at  Winslow,  June  15,  1862;  John  W.  Mallory,  Co.  B,  died  in  Corinth, 
May  17,  1862;  Joseph  McGinnis,  Co.  B,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  October  9,  1861 ; 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  329 

Leons  Marbeth,  Co.  C,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  J.  F.  Marks,  Co.  C, 
killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  C.  Meise,  Co.  C;  J.  W.  Maxwell,  Co.  D,  died  at 
Morganzia,  August  23,  1864;  G.  W.  Mudy,  Co.  D,  died  at  Mound  City,  Septem- 
ber 9,  1864;  James  C.  Mallory,  Co.  F,  died  at  St.  Louis,  August  10,  1862;  John 

F.  Moothart,   Co.   G,   died   in   Stephenson  County,   February  9,    1864;   Thomas 
Myron,  Co.  K,  died  at  Corinth,  June  12,  1862;  Aaron  Miller,  Co.  K,  died  at  Cor- 
inth, June  12,  1862;  E.  Mueller,  Co.  C;  Peter  O'Konas,  Co.  C,  died  at  Shreve- 
port,  June  12,  1865 ;  Q.  E.  Pollock,  Co.  A,  died  January  6,  1862;  Theodore  Peck, 
Co.  A,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  January  8,  1862;  John  Patten,  Co.  A,  killed  at 
Shiloh,  April  6,   1862;  Levi  Penticoff,  Co.  B,  died  at  Evansville,  October  19, 
1862 ;  Julius  Potter,  Co.  B,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  February  6,  1861 ;  W.  Pen- 
ning, Co.  C,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  December  31,  1861 ;  George  Preising,  Co.  G, 
killed  near  Jackson,  July  7,  1864;  W.  Quinn,  Co.  K;  W.  H.  Rodimer,  Co.  A, 
killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862 ;  E.  W.  Rollins,  Co.  A,  died  at  Corinth,  June  29, 
1862;  James  Riem,  Co.  A,  died  at  home,  March  22,  1864;  D.  E.  Rogers,  Co.  A, 
died  at  Baileyville,  December  12,  1864;  H.  G.  Rogers,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Shiloh, 
April  6,   1862;  Charles  W.  Rockwell,  Co.  B,  died  at  Quincy,  May   14,   1862; 
Henry  Roush,  Co.  B,  died  at  Freeport,  May  10,   1864;  J.  Rebel,  Co.  C,  killed 
at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  C.  Reismayer,  Co.  C,  died  of  wounds  at  Savannah, 
January  i,  1862;  Jacob  Rudel,  Co.  D,  died  ;  H.  Reismayer,  Co. 

G,  died  of  wounds,  July  10,  1864;  Jacob  Reagel,  Co.  K,  died  at  Bolivar,  October 
22,  1862 ;  R.  P.  Ritzman,  Co.  A ;  Nelson  A.  Scoville,  Co.  A,  died  at  Savannah, 
April  18,  1862;  J.  M.  Stephens,  Co.  A,  died  at  Corinth,  May  9,  1862;  Charles 
H.  Seidle,  Co.  A,  died  at  Mound  City,  November  20,  1864;  A.  J.  Steele,  Co.  A, 
died  at  St.  Louis,  July  24,  1863 ;  Jacob  Stottler,  Co.  B,  died  at  St.  Louis,  May 
— — •,  1862;  Charles  N.  Shane,  Co.  B,  died  at  St.  Louis,  July  26,  1863;  Edwin 
L.   Stone,  Co.   B,  died  at  New  Madrid,   November  27,   1864;   H.   Schmeitzhaf, 
Co.  C,  died  of  wounds  at  St.  Louis,  April  24,  1862;  M.  Steinhofer,  Co.  C,  died 
at  Corinth,  January  25,   1862;   Peter   Steinmetz,   Co.   C,   died  at  White   River, 
October  15,   1864;  Jacob  Spies,  Co.  C,  killed  near  Hatchie,  October  5,   1862; 
H.  Schlieker,  Co.  C,  drowned  in  Mississippi,  August  26,  1864;  A.  R.  Simcox, 
Co.  D,  died  at  Salubriety  Springs,  August  6,  1865 ;  Joseph  Stamp,  Co.  G,  died 
in  Stephenson  County,  June   15,   1862;  John  Shiveley,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds, 
April  23,  1863;  Jacob  Sheffer,  Co.  G,  died  at  Jacksonville,  July  7,  1862;  Martin 
Smith,  Co.  G,  died  at  Vicksburg,  March  21,  1864;  John  T.  Shinkle,  Co.  G,  died 
at  Morganzia,  August  28,  1864;  William  G.  Stamm,  Co.  G,  died  at  Vicksburg, 
September  24,  1864;  Joseph  Shippy,  Co.  G,  died  in  Stephenson  County,  Novem- 
ber 28,  1864;  John  Shearer,  Co.  G,  died  in  Chicago,  September  26,   1864;  T. 
Shaub,  Co.  G;  J.  M.  Thompson,  Co.  A,  died  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  April  i,  1862; 

George  W.  Trotter,  Co:  A,  died  October  ,    1865 ;  Friederich  Trei,  Co.  C, 

died  at  Monterey,  May  9,  1862;  Lieutenant  M.  R.  Thompson,  Co.  G,  killed  at 
Hatchie,  October  10,  1862;  Neil  Thompson,  Co.  K,  died  May  13,   1862;  John 
Vinson,  Co.  B,  died  at  Morganzia,  August  12,  1864;  N.  H.  Van  Jurken,  Co. 
C,  died  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  April  25,  1862 ;  Philip  Van  Copp,  Co.  C,  died  at 
Camp  Hebron,  May  21,  1864;  B.  F.  Wilson,  Co.  A,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  De- 
cember 30,  1861;  J.  Weiland,  Co.  A;  S.  Ward,  Co.  -    -;  W.  Weaver,  Co.  G; 
John  B.  Wishler,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,   1862;  George  Wilson,   Co. 


330  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

B,  died  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  April  30,  1862;  Martin  Wales,  Co.  D,  killed  at 
Shiloh,  April  6,  1862;  Peter  Williams,  Co.  G,  died  at  Dauphin  Island,  March 
5,  1865;  William  Williams,  Co.  G,  died  at  Duval's  Bluff,  December  14,  1864; 
A.  Wolfanger,  Co.  G,  died  at  Shreveport,  July  19,  1865;  Thomas  Walbridge, 
Co.  K,  drowned  November  28,  1864;  William  Withneck,  Co.  K,  died  at  St. 
Louis,  May  17,  1862;  Abram  E.  Winnie,  Co.  K,  died  at  Shreveport,  June  13, 
1865. 

Fifty-first  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — Dennis  Cook,  Co.  K,  died  at . 

Fifty-third  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — W.  H.  Shean,  Co.  E,  died  at  Chicago,  March 
31,  1862. 

Fifty-fifth  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — George  W.  Crocker,  Co.  I,  died  of  wounds  at 
Marietta,  September  20,  1864. 

Fifty-seventh  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — Thomas  Millerky,  Co.  E,  died  at  Freeport, 
March  13,  1864. 

Fifty-eighth  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — Peter  Bauer,  Co.  D,  died  of  wounds  at 
Shiloh,  —  — ;  P.  Janus. 

Sixty-fourth  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — Josiah  Capps,  Co.  C,  died  at  Chatta- 
nooga, May  10,  1864. 

Seventy-first  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — E.  Sherbondy,  Co.  D;  J,  Snyder,  Co.  D. 

Seventy-fourth  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — F.  Ashenfelter,  Co.  I;  William  Bellman, 
Co.  I,  died  at  Bowling  Green,  December  4,  1864;  Joseph  Biehner,  Co.  I,  died  at 
Annapolis,  Marcrh  n,  1865;  T.  T.  Borden,  Co.  I;  Robert  Bingham,  Co.  I,  died 

of  wounds,  May  16,  1864;  Orla  Clark,  Co.  I,  died ;  Sidney  Cole,  Co.  I, 

died  at  Bowling  Green,  November  5,  1862;  John  Ferico,  Co.  I,  died  at  Mur- 
freesboro,  March  24,  1863 ;  Amos  Haskins,  Co.  A,  died  at  Huntsville,  March  27, 
1865;  John  Henze,  Co.  I,  died  of  wounds,  June  16,  1864;  Frederick  Henze,  Co. 
I,  killed  at  Kenesaw,  June  27,  1864;  Austin  Innman,  Co.  I,  killed  at  Kenesaw, 
June  27,  1864;  Thos.  Jennewine,  Co.  I,  died  of  wounds,  January  2,  1863;  Wm. 
H.  Keagle,  Co.  I,  died  at  Nashville,  December  13,  1862;  Ells  Knudson,  Co.  I, 
died  at  Nashville,  November  26,  1862 ;  Samuel  Lapp,  Co.  I,  died  at  Nashville, 
January  5,  1863;  John  A.  Mullarkey,  Co.  I,  died  of  wounds,  June  28,  1864; 
Fred  Masmin,  Co.  I,  killed  at  Lost  Mountain,  June  18,  1864;  M.  G.  McCue, 
Co.  I,  killed  at  Kenesaw,  June  27,  1864;  Capt.  F.  W.  Stegner,  Co.  I,  killed  in 
battle  at  Kenesaw,  June. 27,  1864;  L.  H.  Van  Valkenburg,  Co.  I,  killed  in  bat- 
tle at  Kenesaw,  June  27,  1864. 

Eightieth  Regiment  I.  V.  I.- — J.  Frantz,  Co.  F. 

Eighty-ninth  Regiment  I.  V.  I — W.  Koym  and  W.  W.  Snyder,  both  of  Co.  L 

Ninetieth  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — D.  A.  Broderick,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Jackson,  July 
20,  1863;  Wm.  Caston,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Chattanooga,  November  25,  1863;  Pat- 
rick Cranney,  Co.  A,  died  at  Lafayette,  Tennessee,  March  28,  1863 ;  John  Craw- 
ley,  Co.  A,  died  at  Lafayette,  Tennessee,  May  18,  1863 ;  John  Crawford,  Co.  I, 
died  at  Nashville,  June  18,  1864;  John  Doogan,  Co.  I,  died  of  wounds  at  At- 
lanta, September  23,  1864;  B.  Donahue,  Co.  A;  James  Laughran,  Co.  I,  died  at 
Marietta,  August  23,  1864 ;  Dennis  McCarty,  Co.  G,  killed  November  25,  1863 ; 
Neil  O'Garry,  Co.  I,  died  at  La  Grange,  January  21,  1863;  Charles  O'Connor, 
Co.  I,  died  at  Camp  Sherman,  September  16,  1863 ;  John  Powers,  Co.  I,  died  of 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  331 

wounds,  February  — ,  1862;  G.  Van  Valkenburg,  Co.  I;  Michael  Whalen,  Co. 
I,  died  of  wounds  at  Camp  Sherman,  August  21,  1864. 

Ninety-second  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — H.  S.  Armagost,  Co.  A,  died  at  Mount 
Sterling,  November  20,  1862;  Thomas  J.  Aurand,  Co.  F,  killed  at  Powder 
Springs,  October  6,  1864;  Benjamin  F.  Adams,  Co.  F,  died  at  New  Albany, 
August  25,  1863;  Robert  Best,  Co.  E,  died  at  Danville,  June  24,  1863;  Gaston 
C.  Best,  Co.  E,  died  at  Florence,  S.  C.,  February  14,  1865;  George  Byrum,  Co. 
F,  died  at  Nashville,  April  21,  1863;  William  Back,  Co.  G,  killed  February  n, 
1865;  Jacob  Bits,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Kingston,  June  22,  1864;  W.  Boeke,  Co.  G; 
A.  Baysinger,  Co.  G;  Adam  Countryman,  Co.  F,  killed  at  Steelsboro,  October  26, 
1864;  John  Cornforth,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds,  May  18,  1865;  Nathan  Corning, 
Co.  G,  killed  at  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863 ;  J.  Crouch,  Co.  G,  died  of 
wounds  at  Davis  Mills,  S.  C.,  February  13,  1865;  John  Denious,  Co.  A,  died  of 
wounds  at  Atlanta,  September  23,  1864;  William  Dickhorner,  Co.  G,  died  at 
Danville,  Kentucky,  January  30,  1863 ;  William  Erb,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Waynes- 
boro,  Georgia,  December  4,  1864;  William*  Wmpneld,  Co.  G,  died  at  Danville, 
March  14,  1863 ;  William  M.  Flack,  Co.  A,  died  at  Lexington,  Kentucky,  No- 
vember 22,  1862;  John  Friery,  Co.  F,  died  at  Danville,  Kentucky,  December 
29,  1862 ;  Amos  Fisk,  Co.  G,  died  at  Nashville,  June  30,  1863 ;  Lyman  A.  Ford, 
Co.  G,  died  at  Danville,  January  2,  1863 ;  Warren  C.  Goddard,  Co.  A,  died  at 
Lexington,  November  7,  1862;  Charles  H.  Giles,  Co.  E,  killed  at  Catlett's  Gap, 
Georgia,  September  17,  1863;  W.  R.  Giddings,  Co.  G,  died  at  Sand  Lowe,  Au- 
gust 30,  1864;  C.  S.  Graves,  Co.  G;  W.  A.  Hatch,  Co.  A,  died  at  Nicholasville, 
December  23,  1862;  Valentine  Haum,  Co.  A,  died  at  Danville,  January  10, 
1863;  G.  Hicks,  Co.  A;  W.  H.  Haggart,  Co.  G;  George  Johnson,  Co.  A,  died  at 
Nashville,  February  22,  1863 ;  Charles  M.  Knapp,  Co.  F,  died  at  Baileyville, 
January  31,  1864;  Asa  Kaster,  Co.  F,  died  at  Nashville,  February  25,  1863;  G 
N.  Keiser,  Co.  G,  died  at  Louisville,  Oct.  14,  1863;  Ephraim  Lambert,  Co.  F, 
died  at  Nashville,  November  13,  1863 ;  Benjamin  F.  Long,  Co.  F,  died  at  Dan- 
ville, January  30,  1863;  Orin  J.  Mitchell,  Co.  F,  died  at  Nashville,  February  17, 
1863;  George  Metcall,  Co.  A,  died  at  Danville,  May  3,  1863;  George  C.  Mack, 
Co.  A,  killed  at  Aiken,  S.  C.,  February  n,  1865;  M.  Miller,  Co.  A,  died  at  An- 
dersonville,  September  26,  1864;  Emmet  A,  Merrill,  Co.  A,  killed  at  Waynes- 
boro,  Georgia,  December  4,  1864;  Henry  Miller,  Co.  F,  died  at  Andersonville, 
July  10,  1864;  Charles  H.  Purinton,  Co.  F,  died  at  Danville,  February  n,  1863; 
J.  A.  Reber,  Co.  F ;  E.  R.  Rogers,  Co.  F ;  L.  W.  Rogers,  Co.  F ;  Henry  Rudy, 
Co.  A,  died  at  Murfreesboro,  July  21,  1863 ;  John  W.  Rea,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds, 
April  13,  1865;  W.  W.  Smith,  Co.  A,  died  at  Nashville,  February  17,  1863;  Ed- 
ward Shearer,  Co.  G,  died  at  Danville,  January  23,  1863;  George  Thompson, 
Co.  F,  died  at  Danville,  October  n,  1863;  J.  R.  Thompson,  Co.  A;  Daniel  R, 
Vought,  Co.  F,  died  at  Danville,  February  6,  1863 ;  Albert  R.  Williams,  Co.  A, 
died  at  Nashville,  March  13,  1863;  Coates  L.  Wilson,  Co.  E,  died  at  Chatta- 
nooga, October  19,  1863 ;  Thomas  F.  Whiteside,  Co.  F,  died  at  Danville,  Feb- 
ruary 20,  1863;  William  Wright,  Co.  F,  died  at  Danville,  February  21,  1863; 
Oscar  D.  Wilcoxon,  Co.  F,  died  at  Concord,  N.  C.,  June  5,  1865 ;  William 
Werkheiser,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds,  October  6,  1864;  Ephraim  Wykoff,  Co.  G, 


332  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

died  at  Nashville,  April  14,  1863 ;  David  C.  Wingart,  Co.  K,  died  at  Nashville, 
October  9,  1864;  E.  Werkheiser,  Co.  G. 

Ninety-third  Regiment  I.  V.  I — Alvin  Addams,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds  at 
Vicksburg,  May  24,  1863;  James  Blue,  Co.  D,  died  at  Ridgeway,  January  17, 
1863;  Isaac  Brandt,  Co.  D,  killed  at  Altoona,  October  5,  1864;  Charles  Bender, 
Co.  D,  died  at  Memphis,  February  27,  1863;  E.  B.  Brewer,  Co.  D,  died  at  Mem- 
phis, April  17,  1863;  J.  B.  Bollman,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Champion  Hills,  May  16, 
1863;  A.  M.  Broughler,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Champion  Hills,  May  16,  1863;  Henry 

C.  Carl,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds,  October  22,  1864;  William  H.  Collier,  Co.  G,  died 
at  Andersonville,  March  30,  1864;  D.  S.  Coble,  Co.  G;  Samuel  F.  Devore,  Co. 

D,  died  at  Nashville,  July  27,  1863 ;  E.  W.  Derrick,  Co.  D ;  Rudy  Erwin,  Co.  D, 
killed  at  Champion  Hills,  May  16,  1863;  Isaac  Erb,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Champion 
Hills,  May  16,  1863;  H.  Erb,  Co.  G;  W.  H.  Eisenhour,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds, 
May  19,  1863;  David  Forney,  Co.  G,  died  at  Andersonville,  January  27,  1864; 
W.  Frank,  Co.  G;  Robert  Fogle,  Co.  G,  died  at  Memphis,  December  26,  1862; 
James  Hickey,  Co.  D,  killed  at  Champion  Hills,  May  13,  1863;  Lyman  Hulbert, 
Co.  G,  killed  at  Altoona,  October  5,  1864;  Tobias  Helm,  Co.  G,  died  at  Milli- 
ken's  Bend,  May  16,  1863;  Willis  G,  Haas,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  2, 
1863;  S.  R.  Hutchinson,  Co.  G;  W.  Irvin,  Co.  D;  John  J.  Jewell,  Co.  D,  died  at 
Memphis,  July  12,  1863;  Daniel  W.  Jones,  Co.  G,  died  at  Cairo,  September  7, 
1863;  Samuel  Knodle,  Co.  D,  died  at  Vicksburg,  September   i,   1863;  G.  W. 
Kleckner,  Co.  D,  died  of  wounds  at  Rome,  Georgia,  October  3,  1864;  William 
Krise,  Co.  G,  died  at  St.  Louis,  September  7,  1863;  J.  Leonard,  Co.  D,  died  of 
wounds  at  Vicksburg,  May  23,  1863;  Nathan  Liscom,  Co.  D,  died  at  Vicksburg, 
August  3,  1863;  S.  W.  Logan,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Mission  Ridge,  November  25, 
1863;  Henry  Law,  Co.  G,  died  May  29,  1863;  D.  Leible,  Co.  G,  died  at  Mem- 
phis, February  22,  1863 ;  Oliver  McHoes,  Co.  G,  died  at  St.  Louis,  November 
30,  1863;  J.  P.  McConnell,  Co.  G,  died  at  Chicago,  October  9,  1864;  J.  B.  New- 
comer, Co.  D,  died  of  wounds,  June  21,  1862;  Thomas  Phillips,  Co.  D,  killed 
at  Champion  Hills,  May  16,  1863;  Holden  Putnam  (Colonel),  killed  at  Mission 
Ridge,  November  25,  1863;  T.  Plush,  Co.  D;  P.  E.  Reynolds,  Co.  D,  died  at 
Memphis,  March  12,  1863 ;  John  Rima,  Co.  D,  killed  at  Mission  Ridge,  Novem- 
ber 25,  1863 ;  C.  Reiser,  Co.  G,  died  at  Jacksonville,  March  28,  1863 ;  H.  Ross- 
weller,  Co.  G,  killed  at  Champion  Hills,  May  16,  1863 ;  George  Sills,  Co.  D,  died 
of  wounds  at  Champion  Hills,  May  22,  1863;  J.  W.  Sidlinger,  Co.  G;  David 
Shearer,  Co.  D,  died  at  New  York  Harbor,  April  18,  1865 ;  Benjamin  F.  Shock- 
ley,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds,  May  19,  1863;  G.  Sprague,  Co.  D;  Thomas  R.  St. 
John,  Co.  G,  died  at  Camp  Douglas,    October  22,  1862 ;  D.  H.  Templeton,  Co.  D, 
died  at  home,   October  3,   1862;  George  Thomas,   Co.  D,  killed  at  Champion 
Hills,  May  16,  1863 ;  John  Templeton,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds  at  South  Caro- 
lina, February  25,  1865 ;  T.  K.  Vantilburg,  Co.  G,  died  at  St.  Louis,  August  4, 
1863 ;  William  B.  Ward,  Co.  D,  died  at  Vicksburg,  June  29,  1863 ;  Daniel  Wolf, 
Co.  G,  killed  at  Champion  Hills,  May  19,  1863 ;  William  J.  Wilson,  Co.  G,  died  of 
wounds,  May  25,  1863;  F.  M.  Wickwire,  Co.  G,  died  at  Vicksburg,  August  17, 
1863 ;  Joel  Wagner,  Co.  G,  died  of  wounds  at  Chattanooga,  November  29,  1863 ; 
G.  Zerbe,  Co.  G. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  333 

One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — William  H.  Wallace,  Co. 
C,  died  at  New  Orleans,  December  6,  1863. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-second  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — George  Adair,  Co.  F, 
died  at  White  Station,  September  i,  1864;  Frank  Biehl,  Co.  A,  died  at  M,em- 
phis,  September  n,  1864;  John  Buisman,  Co.  G,  died  at  White  Station,  Septem- 
ber 9,  1864;  Israel  Dean,  Co.  G,  died  at  Memphis,  September  12,  1864;  C.  H. 
French,  Co.  F;  F.  Haeuss,  Co.  F,  died  at  White  Station,  August  26,  1864; 
Charles  Ludeke,  Co.  A,  died  September  26,  1864;  T.  Murdaugh,  Co.  F,  died  at 
Chicago,  October  9,  1864;  D.  B.  Seibels,  Co.  E,  died  at  Memphis,  August  12, 
1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-sixth  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — John  Bortsfield,  Co.  E, 
died  at  Camp  Butler,  December  13,  1864;  M.  L.  Cornville,  Co.  E,  died  at  Chi- 
cago, October  7,  1864;  S.  Haggart,  Co.  E;  J.  S.  Murray,  Co.  E,  died  at  Camp 
Butler,  February  i,  1865;  Nathan  Springer,  Co.  E,  died  at  Chicago,  October 
9,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-seventh  Regiment  I.  V.  I. — John  Kelly,  Co.  E, 
died  at  Dalton,  Georgia,  May  7,  1865 ;  W.  N.  Harwood,  Co.  E ;  W.  L.  Seyler, 
Co.  E. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-third  Regiment  I.  V.  L— A.  Shaffer,  Co.  D. 

Fourth  Regiment,  I.  V.  C.— W.  Hurlburt,  Co. . 

First  Regiment  Colored  Cavalry — Capt.  J.  R.  Shaffer,  Co.  A. 

Twelfth  Iowa  V.  I.— D.  D.  Warner,  Co.  G. 

Third  Missouri  Cavalry— J.  W.  Shively,  Co.  G;  M.  Shotts,  Co.  G;  W.  D. 
Thompson,  Co.  I. 

Seventh  Iowa  Cavalry — J.  Barron,  J.  Antes,  A.  W.  Lucas,  N.  Kohl,  D.  M. 
Mage. 

Fifth  United  States  Cavalry — Lieutenant  J.  J.  Sweet,  Co.  E. 

Seventh  Regiment,  I.  V.  C. — George  H.  Barnes,  Co.  B,  died  at  Savannah, 
Tennessee,  June  6,  1862;  Thomas  Hill,  Co.  B,  died  at  Memphis,  November  15, 
1863 ;  J.  T.  Noyes,  Co.  B ;  Capt.  W.  McCausland,  Co.  B ;  D.  C.  Stone,  Co.  G, 
died  at  luka,  July  20,  1865. 

Eighth  Regiment  I.  V.  C. — Anthony  Coppersmith,  Co.  G,  killed  September 

12,  1863;  Samuel  Crane,  Co.  I,  prisoner  of  war,  dead;  D.  Dieffenbaugh,  Co.  G, 
killed  at  Gettysburg,  July  i,  1863;  Charles  Mularkey,  Co.  M,  killed  at  Manassas, 
November  11,  1864. 

Thirteenth  Regiment,  I.  V.  C. — Samuel  B.  Deitzler,  Co.  I,  died  March  29, 

1864;  Henry  A.  High,  Co.  I,  died  at  Memphis,  Tennessee, ;  Henry 

Studebaker,  Co.  I,  died  at  Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas,  October  23,  1864;  William 
Strange,  Co.  I,  died  at  Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas,  September  3,  1864;  John  Send- 
linger,  Co.  I,  died  at  Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas,  July  8,  1864. 

Fourteenth  Regiment  I.  V.  C. — B.  Breninger,  Co.  I,  missing  in  action,  July 

13,  1864;  K.  W.  Chapin,  Co.  I,  missing  in  action,  August  3,  1864;  D.  M.  Elliott, 
Co.  I,  died  at  Gallipolis,  December  8,  1863;  John  Gogan,  Co.  I,  missing  in  ac- 
tion, July  31,  1864;  A.  M.  Gandy,  Co.  I,  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky, 
October  9,   1864;  Michael  Lenan,  Co.  I,  died  at  Peoria,  January   12,   1863;  J. 
McNichols,  Co.  I,  missing  in  action,  July  31,  1864;  John  S.  Pickard,  Co.  I,  died 
at  Peoria,  March  29,  1863;  M.  D.  Rollison,  Co.  I,  missing  in  action,  July  31, 


334  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

1864;  William  H.  Stewart,.  Co.  I,  died  at  Louisville,  August  10,  1863;  H.  Van- 
deburg,  Co.  I,  missing  in  action,  July  31,  1864. 

Seventeenth  Regiment  I.  V.  C. — H.  Bowden,  Co.  F,  drowned  at  Alton, 
July  3,  1864;  George  R.  Comstock,  Co.  M,  died  at  Lena,  July  19,  1864;  J. 
Peterson,  Co.  I,  accidentally  killed,  December  12,  1864. 

Second  Regiment  I.  V.  A. — F.  Shilling,  Co.  E,  died  at  Memphis,  March  20, 
1863;  Henry  Williams,  Co.  K,  died  at  Memphis,  April  26,  1865. 

Company  and  Regiment  Unknown — Jasper  Clingman,  died  — ; 

Captain  James  R.  Shaffer,  died  at  Freeport,  —  . 

The  second,  or  upper  base,  is  9  x  9  feet  and  nine  feet  high,  and  on  each  side. 
is  a  niche  in  which  is  inserted  a  massive  slab  of  white  marble.  On  the  south 
side,  facing  Stephenson  street,  is  engraved  the  following,  in  large  raised  letters: 

To  The 
HEROIC  DEAD 

of 
STEPHENSON  COUNTY. 

1861-1865. 

On  each  of  the  three  remaining  slabs  in  the  upper  base  are  engraved  in 
raised  letters  some  of  the  battles  in  which  it  is  known  that  some  of  the  soldiers 
of  Stephenson  County  laid  down  their  lives,  as  follows:  Fort  Donelson,  Pitts- 
burg  Landing,  Siege  of  Corinth,  Jackson,  Siege  of  Vicksburg,  Chickamauga, 
Missionary  Ridge,  Altoona  Pass,  Resaca,  Pea  Ridge,  Nashville,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Stone  River,  Waynesboro,  Cattlet's  Gap,  luka,  Aiken,  Franklin, 
Nickajack  Gap,  Siege  of  Knoxville,  Champion  Hills,  Farmington,  Bentonville, 
Hatchie,  Mobile. 

The  shaft,  7x7  feet  at  base,  rises  sixty-two  feet  gracefully  from  the  second 
base,  tapering  to  three  feet  at  the  top,  surmounted  by  a  molded  cap-stone,  four 
feet  six  inches  by  four  feet  six  inches,  on  which  is  poised  the  statue  of  "Victory" 
above  described,  thirteen  feet  high,  making  the  top  of  the  statue  ninety-six  feet 
from  the  ground. 

Early  in  June,  1871,  the  last  finishing  touches  were  given,  and  the  Stephen- 
son  County  Soldiers'  Monument,  beautiful  in  its  proportions,  and  as  enduring 
as  the  solid  marble  of  which  it  is  constructed,  stood  forth  completed,  an  endur- 
ing evidence  of  the  patriotism  of  the  entire  population  of  Stephenson  County, 
by  whom  it  was  erected.  It  was  resolved  to  dedicate  the  monument  on  July 
4,  1871,  and  great  preparations  were  made  for  the  event.  General.  John  M. 
Palmer  Governor  of  Illinois,  agreed  to  deliver  the  dedicatory  address,  but  at  the 
last  hour,  he  sent  a  telegram  that  he  could  not  come,  and  General  Smith  D. 
Atkins,  of  Freeport,  reluctantly  consented  to  supply  his  place.  General  Atkins 
spoke  as  follows : 

Fellow-citizens :     I   have  been   admonished  by    friends,   and   the   conflicting 

-emotions  of  my  heart,  to  which   I   cannot  give  utterance,   admonish  me  now, 

that  it  is  no  easy  task,  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  which  have  induced  me 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  335 

to  appear  before  you,  to  address  such  an  assemblage  on  such  an  occasion.  But 
I  have  come,  not  because  I  had  any  hope  of  doing  justice  to  my  subject,  but 
because  I  know  that  you  will  do  more  than  justice  to  me — you  will  be  generous. 
Kneeling  this  day  around  the  altar  of  American  liberty,  your  hearts  will  throb 
responsive  to  the  lightest  touch. 

We  do  well  to  come  here  today  on  this  anniversary  of  our  national  inde- 
pendence, remembering  the  fathers  who  have  "gone  before."  We  are  indebted 
for  all  the  liberties  that  we  enjoy  to  those  who  have  long  since  entered  the  "dark 
valley  and  shadow  of  death ;"  those  who  shall  come  after  us,  in  the  sure  flight  of 
years,  will  be  indebted  to  us  for  the  civil  and  religious  liberties  which  they  will 
enjoy. 

If  we  were  to  seek  the  fountain  whence  our  liberties  flow,  we  should  be  com- 
pelled to  go  far  back  to  1776;  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence  was 
the  result  of  a  prior  moving  cause ;  on  the  Mayflower  came  the  germ  of  liberty ; 
not  alone  to  the  Continental  Congress,  but  to  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  are  we  in- 
debted for  the  glories  of  the  day  we  celebrate.  Ideas  are  the  moving  causes  of 
revolutions;  the  clash  of  arms,  the  sullen  roar  of  artillery,  are  but  the  means 
employed  to  an  end;  deeper  than  that,  below  all  that,  like  disembodied  spirits, 
He  the  ideas  for  which  revolutions  are  fought.  The  idea,  the  great  underlying 
thought  upon  which  the  American  Revolutionary  War  was  fought,  was  em- 
bodied in  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence  in  these  words :  "We  hold 
these  truths  to  be  self-evident,  that  all  men  are  created  equal;  that  they  are 
endowed  by  their  Creator  with  certain  inalienable  rights ;  that  among  these  are 
life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness;  that  to  secure  these  rights  govern- 
ments are  instituted  among  men,  deriving  their  just  powers  from  the  consent 
of  the  governed." 

No  grander  enunciation  of  the  rights  of  man  had  ever  been  put  forth  by 
any  people,  and  around  it  crystallized  the  hopes  of  the  three  millions  and  a  half 
of  people  composing  the  thirteen  American  Colonies.  I  wish  it  were  in  my  power 
to  draw  a  picture  of  the  American  Continental  Congress,  convened  in  the  plain 
little  red-brick  building  in  Philadelphia,  called  at  that  time  the  State  House, 
on  the  morning  of  July  4,  1776,  when  Thomas  Jefferson,  John  Adams,  Benja- 
min Franklin,  Roger  Sherman  and  Robert  R.  Livingston,  the  Committee  on  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  brought  in  their  report.  With  what  breathless 
attention  did  the  members  of  the  Continental  Congress  listen  to  the  reading  of 
it.  With  what  emotion  must  that  Congress  have  swayed,  every  one  of  them 
knowing  that  if  they  failed  in  their  unequal  struggle  with  England,  the  most 
powerful  nation  on  the  globe,  the  declaration  would  prove  the  death-warrant 
of  every  one  of  them  upon  the  scaffold.  But  they  faltered  not,  John  Hancock 
wrote  his  name 

"Dashing  and  bold,  as  if  the  writer  meant 

A  double  daring  in  his  mind's  intent." 

Stephen  Hopkins,  with  a  palsied  hand,  but  with  a  fearless  and  patriotic 
heart,  wrote  his  name  plain  enough  for  the  minions  of  King  George  to  read  it; 
and  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  and  Franklin  and  Adams,  and  Gerry,  and 
Rutledge,  and  Jefferson,  and  Sherman,  and  Morris,  and  Witherspoon — "there 
were  giants  in  those  days" — and  relying  upon  the  intrinsic  justice  of  their  cause, 


336  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

and  the  self-evident  truths  of  the  rights  of  human  nature  that  they  were  de- 
claring, to  their  maintenance  they  mutually  pledged  "their  lives,  their  fortunes, 
and  their  sacred  honor."  Well  might  the  old  bellman,  who  sat  anxiously  in  the 
steeple  of  the  old  State  House,  waiting  for  the  word,  joyfully  ring  out  the  glad 
tidings,  when  the  Declaration  of  Independence  passed,  on  the  old  bell  cast  many 
years  before  in  England,  and  bearing,  as  if  by  inspiration,  this  inscription,  in 
solid  metal  letters:  PROCLAIM  LIBERTY  TO  ALL  THE  LAND,  AND  TO 
ALL  THE  INHABITANTS  THEREOF.  Aye,  Liberty!  That  old  bell  is  ring- 
ing yet,  and  millions  hear  it.  The  last  of  all  those  who  were  there  have  long 
since  been  "gathered  to  their  fathers,"  but  their  work  lives  after  them  and  yet 
shall  live.  Time  shall  not  dim  it.  The  glories  of  the  Cross  of  Cavalry  shall  pale 
away  and  fade  from  the  remembrance  of  men  as  soon  as  the  mortal  grandeur 
and  sublimity  of  that  declaration  shall  be  dimmed.  While  the  memories  of  Wash- 
ington and  Warren  survive,  while  there  is  one  man  to  honor  the  memories  of 
John  Hampden  and  Algernon  Sydney,  while  there  is  one  human  heart  groaning 
beneath  oppression  and  throbbing  with  the  love  of  freedom,  the  Declaration  of 
American  Independence  will  stand  a  beacon  light  to  beckon  on  to  liberty. 

In  February,  1861,  Abraham  Lincoln,  after  his  election  by  the  people  as 
President  of  the  Republic,  stood  upon  the  steps  of  the  old  State  House  in  Phil- 
adelphia, on  the  very  spot  where  liberty  was  proclaimed  by  our  Revolutionary 
Fathers  in  1776,  and  uttered  these  memorable  words: 

"I  have  often  inquired  of  myself  what  idea  or  principle  it  was  that  kept  the 
Confederacy  so  long  together.  It  was  something  in  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence giving  liberty,  not  only  to  the  people  of  this  country,  but  hope  to  the 
world  for  all  future  time.  It  was  that  which  gave  promise  that,  in  due  time, 
the  weight  should  be  lifted  from  the  shoulders  of  all  men,  and  that  all  should 
have  an  equal  chance.  Now,  my  friends,  can  this  country  be  saved  upon  this 
basis?  If  it  can,  I  will  consider  myself  one  of  the  happiest  men  in  the  world 
if  I  can  help  to  save  it.  But  if  this  country  cannot  be  saved  without  giving  up 
that  principle,  I  was  about  to  say,  I  would  rather  be  assassinated  upon  the 
spot  than  to  surrender  it." 

They  are  memorable  words.  Great,  noble  Lincoln,  how  tenaciously  Tie  clung 
to  the  idea  of  liberty — which  inspired  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  on  the  Mayflower; 
to  which  our  fathers  clung  throughout  all  their  colonial  history ;  the  one  idea 
and  single  thought  of  the  Continental  Congress  of  1776;  the  heart,  the  soul, 
the  life,  of  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence,  looking  forward  to  the 
future,  the  clouds  of  civil  war  gathering  in  the  South,  as  if  inspired  with  a 
foresight  to  see  the  bloody  ending  of  his  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  the  cause 
of  liberty,  Abraham  Lincoln  proclaimed  himself  the  willing  sacrifice!  But 
could  the  nation  have  seen  the  bitter  dregs  of  the  cup  that  he  was  destined  to 
quaff,  with  what  agony  would  every  face  have  been  turned  heavenward,  and  mil- 
lions of  supplications  gone  to  the  great  throne  on  high :  "Father,  if  it  be  pos- 
sible, let  this  cup  pass."  But — thank  God — before  the  idol  of  the  nation  was 
called  upon  to  drink  that  bitter  cup,  before  the  foreshadowed  prophesy  was 
fulfilled,  the  idea  of  liberty  had  triumphed  •  over  slavery,  and  the  blood  of  the 
martyred  Lincoln  sealed  the  deed  of  freedom  forever.  Toll,  solemn  bells; 
weep,  ye  worshipers  around  Liberty's  Altar;  the  disciple,  the  prophet,  Abraham 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  337 

Lincoln,  of  the  people  and  by  the  people  best  beloved,  amid  the  nation's  tears, 
even  on  the  top  wave  of  the  nation's  victory,  has  gone  from  earth,  called  by  the 
Great  Jehovah  to  "come  up  higher." 

In  that  terrible  struggle,  foreshadowed  by  Abraham  Lincoln  as  he  stood 
upon  the  steps  of  the  old  State  House  in  Philadelphia,  have  gone  down  into  the 
"dark  valley  and  shadow  of  death"  the  immortal  heroes  in  whose  honor  the 
patriotism  of  the  people  of  Stephenson  County  has  erected  that  marble  col- 
umn. Honoring,  as  we  ought  and  do,  the  Revolutionary  heroes,  never  can  we 
forget  those  brave  men  who,  in  the  late  war,  have  died  that  their  country  might 
live.  At  the  story  of  their  heroism  our  hearts  swell  with  pride,  and  at  the 
story  of  their  sufferings  our  hearts  melt  into  tears.  Sometimes  I  wonder  if 
the  American  people  will  ever  forget  what  they  felt  when  the  news  was  flashed 
over  the  wires  that  the  South  Carolinas  had  fired  upon  Fort  Sumter.  I  won- 
der if  all  the  people  of  the  good  old  Northland  will  forget  that  great  up- 
rising, party  ties  broken,  party  sunk  in  patriotism,  when  President  Lincoln  called 
for  troops,  and  the  voice  of  the  mighty  Douglas  rang  through  the  land,  declar- 
ing that  he  who  was  not  for  his  country  in  such  an  hour  was  against  his  coun- 
try, and  all  the  people  resolved  that  the  stars  and  stripes  should  again  float 
over  Sumter — aye,  should  "greet  the  morning  sunlight  and  kiss  the  last  rays 
of  the  setting  sun,"  not  alone  above  the  brick  and  mortar  of  that  old  fort,  but 
everywhere  throughout  all  this  broad  land,  should  unfold  its  bright  stripes  and 
gleaming  stars — the  symbol  of  liberty,  and  the  shield  and  protection  of  Ameri- 
can citizenship.  Have  the  citizens  of  Freeport  forgotten  the  Sabbath-day  meet- 
ing for  enlisting  soldiers,  held  here  on  our  public  square?  Have  you  for- 
gotten the  meetings  held  in  all  your  schoolhouses,  when  the  prairies  were  all 
alive  with  patriotic  ardor,  and  the  fife  and  drum  were  beating  up  recruits? 
Have  you  forgotten  how  a  free  people,  living  in  a  government  "of  the  people,  and 
by  the  people,  and  for  the  people,"  with  a  common  impulse,  rallied  to  the  de- 
fense of  their  imperiled  country?  How  grand  it  was — something  to  be  remem- 
bered always,  and  to  be  proud  of  always.  How  like  a  mighty  dream  it  all  ap- 
pears to  us  now,  as  we  look  back  upon  the  past.  And  afterwards,  when  the 
three-year  troops  were  called  for,  how  the  heroes  of  the  Republic  came  pouring 
into  the  camps — the  farmer  from  his  plow,  the  mechanic  from  his  shop,  the 
merchant  from  his  store,  the  lawyer  from  his  office — by  ones,  by  dozens,  by  fif- 
ties and  by  hundred,  until  companies,  and  regiments,  and  brigades,  and  divi- 
sions, and  corps,  with  banners  flying,  and  bugles  blaring,  and  drums  beating, 
were  marching  to  the  front,  singing  as  they  went, 

"We  are  springing  to  the  call  of  our  brothers  gone  before, 

Shouting  the  battle-cry  of  Freedom; 

And  we'll  fill  the  vacant  ranks  with  a  million  freemen  more, 

Shouting  the  battle-cry  of  Freedom; 

Grand  and  glorious  as  was  the  great  uprising  of  the  north  in  the  early 
summer  of  1861,  grander  still  was  the  swelling  and  growing  volume  of  the 
nation's  patriotism,  as  it  swelled  and  rose  higher  with  the  nation's  need. 
Our  good  president  called  for  three  hundred  thousand  more,  and  the  patriotic 
people  answered  back  to  the  president, 


338  HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY 

"We  are  coming,  Father  Abraham, 

Six  hundred  thousand  strong." 

It  is  an  accepted  doctrine  of  the  Christian  church  that  "God  gives  strength  ac- 
cording to  its  need,"  and  in  His  wise  providence  battalion  after  battalion 
poured  into  the  camps,  until  the  maxim  of  Napoleon,  "God  is  on  the  side  of 
the  heaviest  battalions,  "did  not  seem  so  irreverent  as  it  is  usually  regarded ; 
and  the  apothegm  of  the  ancients,  "Whom  God  would  destroy  he  first  makes 
mad,"  appeared  to  be  exemplified  in  the  mad-cap  South.  I  believe  that  it  is 
ever  true  that  "God  is  on  the  side  of  the  right,"  and  while  we  give  those  sol- 
diers who  have  died  for  their  country  more  praise  than  tongue  of  mine  can 
tell,  we  ought  still  to  raise  our  hearts  in  thankfulness  and  praise  to  the  "God 
of  battles,"  without  whose  blessing  no  cause  can  long  prosper,  and  who  can 
hold  an  army  with  the  hollow  of  His  hand. 

I  cannot  dwell  upon  the  history  of  the  late  war;  time  will  not  permit  me 
to  pronounce  the  fitting  words  of  praise  due  our  dead  heroes  for  their  heroic 
deeds  upon  all  the  battlefields  for  the  Union;  the  people  of  Stephenson  County 
and  the  northwest  need  not  be  told  of  them — they  know  of  them  already,  and 
they  cherish  the  memories  of  them  in  their  hearts. 

When  will  the  American  people  forget  Washington  and  the  Revolutionary 
heroes,  who  upheld  the  starry  banner  of  the  Republic  that  was  born  in  revo- 
lution and  baptized  in  blood?  When  will  we  forget  those  whose  names  are 
graven  on  yonder  tablets,  the  "boys  in  blue;"  who,  in  1861,  1862,  1863,  1864 
and  1865,  enlisted  in  our  army  to  bear  that  standard  sheet  on  high?  Side  by 
side  with  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution  will  their  names  go  down  in  history, 
never  more  to  be  forgotten. 

To  whom  do  we  owe  it  that  we  have  a  country  today?  To  whom  but  those 
who,  with  heart  and  brain  and  stalwart  arm,  upheld  the  flag?  To  the  loyal 
men  and  women  of  America,  to  those  who  went  to  the  front  and  to  those  who 
remained  at  home,  are  we  this  day  indebted  for  the  security  and  peacefulness. 
of  our  firesides  and  for  the  liberty  we  enjoy;  but  most  of  all  to  those  gallant 
heroes,  in  memory  of  whom  that  marble  monument  has  been  erected ;  who, 
standing  "between  their  loved  homes  and  war's  desolations,"  have  died  for 
their  country.  Do  air  that  we  may  or  can,  we  never  shall  be  able  to  repay  more 
than  a  trifling  moiety  of  the  great  debt  of  gratitude  and  love  we  owe  to  those 
heroes  who  have  gone  to  that 

"Undiscovered  country 
From  whose  bourne  no  traveler  returns." 

Build  them  monuments  of  marble,  surmounted  with  statues  of  "Victory ;" 
cut  their  names  in  enduring  tablets  of  stone ;  tell  of  their  heroic  deeds  in  story, 
and  sing  of  them  in  song;  keep  their  memories  green  in  our  hearts  forever- 
more,  and  yet  we  will  not  pay  one-half  of  the  great  debt  of  gratitude  and  love 
we  owe.  The  liberties  secured  to  their  country  by  the  sacrifice  of  their  lives, 
they  themselves  cannot  enjoy ;  for  you  and  for  me,  and  for  those  who  will  come 
after  us,  they  have  died.  Long  after  that  massive  marble  monument  has  mold- 
ered  into  dust,  their  memories  will  live ;  the  generations  to  follow  us  will  honor 
them  even  more  than  we  honor  them  now.  Think  you  that  while  there  remains 
one  human  heart  that  loves  liberty  their  memories  will  perish?  No.  Hun- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  339 

dreds  of  years  ago,  Leonidas  and  his  band  of  Spartan  soldiers  went  down  in 
the  defense  of  the  Pass  of  Thermopylae,  but,  forevermore,  among  every  people 
in  whose  language  there  can  be  found  a  word  to  express  liberty,  those  dead 
heroes  will  be  remembered.  Those  whose  memories  we  seek  to  perpetuate  by 
that  marble  pile  were  the  defenders  of  our  Thermopylae,  not  like  Leonidas 
and  his  Spartan  soldiers,  doomed  to  defeat  in  honorable  death,  but  victory, 
overwhelming  and  complete,  has  crowned  their  heroism.  Fitly  do  we  place 
the  statue  of  "Victory"  on  the  monument  the  grateful  patriotism  of  all  the 
people  of  Stephenson  County  has  erected  to  their  memory.  Never  on  earth 
can  they  answer  roll  call  again. 

"On  Fame's  eternal  camping-ground 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  glory  guards  with  solemn  round, 

The  bivouac  of  the  dead." 

Engraven  deeply  on  those  marble  tablets  are  the  names  of  nearly   seven 
hundred  of  the  gallant  heroes  of  Stephenson  County,  who  went  out  to  the  de- 
fense of  their  country,  and  came  not  back  again.     And  yet  they  were  but  a 
handful  in  the  great  sacrificial  offering  that  liberty  demanded  and  received. 
"Four  hundred  thousand  men, 

The  brave,  the  good,  the  true, 
On  battle  plain,  in  prison  pen, 
Have  died  for  me  and  you. 
Four  hundred  thousand  of  the  brave, 
Have  made  our  loyal  soil  their  grave, 

For  me  and  you ; 
Kind  friend  for  me  and  you." 

Dedicating  this  day  that  colossal  marble  monument  to  the  memories  of  the 
gallant  dead  of  Stephenson  County,  let  us  thank  God  for  the  glowing  patriotism 
that  gave  to  the  nation  its  heroic  defenders,  and  reverently  ask  His  blessing 
upon  the  work  which  they  have  accomplished. 

The  following  are  buried  in  the  cemeteries  about  Freeport:  General  J.  W. 
Shaffer;  Colonels  H.  Putnam,  T.  J.  Turner,  C.  T.  Dunham,  and  John  A.  Davis; 
Captains  S.  W.  Field,  James  R.  Shaffer  and  James  W.  Crane;  Majors  Wil- 
liam McKim  and  Elisha  Schofield;  Lieutenants  M.  R.  Thompson,  H.  A. 
Sheets,  T.  M.  Hood  and  Emil  Neese,  Elias  Diffenbaugh,  Joseph  Degon,  Sam- 
uel Ailey,  R.  C.  Swain,  M.  D.,  H.  Broadie,  Mortimer  Snow,  Joseph  Cavanagh, 
Eli  M.  Ketchum,  James  Daniels,  Max  Lambrecht,  Lawrence  Fisher,  Anton 
Bauer,  James  Jordan,  L.  Bently,  J.  W.  Sinlinger,  David  McCormick,  James  C. 
McCarthy,  William  Haggart,  Sidney  Haggart,  William  Eddy,  John  Bortsfield, 
Charles  Gramp,  Joseph  Maxwell,  Jacob  Backers,  Van  Reason,  Fred  Shilling, 
Aaron  S.  Best,  Milton  S.  Weaver,  Thomas  Mullarkey,  Lary  Paten  and  Andrew 
Bartlett. 

"Winds  of  summer,  Oh!  whisper  low, 
Over  the  graves  where  the  daisies  grow, 
Blossoming  flowers  and  songs  of  bees, 
Sweet  ferns  tossed  in  the  summer  breeze — 
Floating  shadows  and  golden  lights, 


340  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Dewy  mornings  and  radiant  nights — 

All  the  bright  and  beautiful  things 

That  gracious  and  bountiful  summer  brings, 

Fairest  and  sweetest  that  earth  can  bestow 

Brighten  the  graves  where  the  daisies  grow." 

BUCKEYE   TOWNSHIP. 

Buckeye  Township  is  located  in  the  north  central  part  of  the  county,  and  is 
second  to  no  other  township  of  the  county  either  in  fertility  of  soil  or  in  polit- 
ical importance.  It  is  traversed  from  north  to  south  by  Richland  Creek,  one  of 
the  swiftest  streams  of  the  county,  and  second  in  size  only  to  the  Pecatonica 
River.  Richland  Creek  flows  through  the  villages  of  Buena  Vista  and  Red  Oak, 
and  has  in  the  past  afforded  excellent  water  power  for  turning  a  number  of 
mills.  Most  of  the  mills  are  now  abandoned,  and  those  which  are  still  operated 
in  various  portions  of  the  county  are  doing  only  a  meagre  business,  hardly 
sufficient  to  warrant  their  continuance.  Cedar  Creek,  which  rises  in  Dakota 
Township,  pursues  an  uneven  and  eccentric  course  in  a  general  westerly  direc- 
tion, and  joins  Richland  Creek  a  short  distance  south  of  Red  Oak.  It  is  itself 
joined  by  Coon  Creek,  a  very  small  stream,  which  rises  in  the  northern  part  of 
Buckeye  Township,  is  joined  by  a  multitude  of  little  brooklets,  and  flows  into 
Cedar  Creek  just  east  of  Cedarville. 

As  far  as  can  be  learned,  John  Goddard  was  the  first  permanent  white  set- 
tler in  Buckeye  Township.  He  came  to  these  regions  in  1835,  and  settled  in  the 
southern  part  of  Buckeye  Township,  near  the  present  site  of  Cedarville.  This 
was  in  the  spring  of  the  year.  Before  fall,  David  Jones  and  Levi  Lucas  came 
and  settled  near  him,  the  former  making  claim  to  a  large  tract  of  land  surround- 
ing the  present  village  of  Buckeye  Center.  Here  he  built  a  log  cabin  and  began 
housekeeping.  In  time  the  population  was  increased  by  the  arrival  of  George 
Trotter,  Richard  Parriott,  and  William  Hollenback. 

In  1835,  William  Robey  had  made  a  claim  in  Buckeye  Township,  but  did 
not  come  to  take  possession  until  the  following  year.  In  1836  there  came  also 
Jehu  Pile,  Andrew  St.  John,  Ira  Holly,  Job  Holly,  Daniel  Holly,  and  a  num- 
ber of  others.  Jehu  Pile  and  Richard  Parrioft  settled  near  the  present  town  of 
Cedarville,  while  the  others  for  the  most  part  laid  their  claims  in  the  north- 
eastern part  of  the  township. 

In  1837,  a  large  number  of  families  came  to  settle.  In  that  year  also,  in  the 
month  of  May,  occurred  the  first  death  in  the  township,  that  of  Richard  Par- 
riott, Sr.  Among  the  settlers  of  '37  were  Dr.  Thomas  Van  Valzah,  who  bought 
the  mill  claim  of  John  Goddard  and  Barton  Jones,  built  what  was  afterward 
known  as  the  Cedar  Creek  Mills,  and  afterward  put  up  a  log  cabin  for  his  fam- 
ily. This  mill  continued  in  operation,  under  the  management  of  one  John  Fisher, 
from  November,  1837,  to  January  I,  1838.  That  year  Cedar  Creek  overflowed 
its  bank  and  the  dam  was  destroyed.  Since  that  the  present  dam  has  been  con- 
structed. At  the  time  of  Dr.  Van  Valzah's  immigration  a  large  company  came, 
including  J.  Tharp,  G.  W.  Clingman,  Jackson  Richart,  Lazarus  Snyder,  Jacob 
S.  Brown,  Joseph  Green,  arid  others. 


William  II.   Wagner 


William  Wagner 


Gen.  Smith  D.  Atkins 


Hon.  Stephen  Rigney 


O.  B.  Bithvell 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  341 

In  1838  occurred  the  first  marriage  solemnized  in  Buckeye  Township.  Rob- 
ert Jones  and  Mary  Harlacher  were  united  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  McKean,  the  first 
Methodist  preacher  of  the  county,  the  ceremony  being  performed  all  the  resi- 
dence of  Dr.  Van  Valzah.  The  bridegroom  built  a  rude  log  cabin  for  his  new 
bride,  and  thither  he  escorted  her,  without  the  preliminary  convention  of  a  bridal 
tour.  On  the  23rd  of  June  following,  David  Jones  was  born  to  the  couple,  the 
first  recorded  birth  of  the  township.  Among  the  arrivals  of  the  year  were  Ben- 
jamin Bennett,  John  Murdaugh,  Adrian  Lucas,  and  James  McGhee. 

In  1840  the  increase  of  population  still  continued,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that 
Indian  camps  in  the  district  menaced  the  settlers.  Life  was  hard,  and  the 
Pottawatomies  and  Winnebagpes  were  near  by  with  their  settlement  at  the  mouth 
of  Richland  Creek,  on  the  banks  of  the  Pecatonica.  But  from  1840  dates  the 
prosperity  of  the  Buckeye  settlers.  In  that  year  came  J.  B.  Clingman,  Philip 
Reitzell,  George  Reitzell,  who  settled  near  the  present  site  of  Buena  Vista, 
Henry  Wohlford,  John  Fryebarger,  Richard  Parriott,  Jr.,  Franklin  Scott,  George 
Ilgen,  who  afterward  became  the  founder  of  Cedarville,  and  a  number  of  others. 

After  1840,  farms  were  opened  and  cultivated,  new  homes  were  built,  and  the 
old  log  cabin  began  to  disappear.  For  a  time  it  was  hard  to  make  a  living.  The 
early  Buckeye  settlers  depended  mainly  on  their  guns  for  meat,  and  created 
great  havoc  among  the  flocks  of  prairie  chickens  and  herds  of  deer  which  were 
to  be  found  in  the  timber.  Flour  was  difficult  to  obtain  until  the  various  mills 
were  started,  but  from  1840  on,  the  conveniences  of  life  became  more  accessible. 

Previous  to  1838,  Buckeye  Township  was  a  portion  of  the  district  known 
as  Central  Precinct,  which  comprised  the  present  towns  of  Buckeye,  Dakota, 
Harlem,  and  Lancaster.  About  that  time  the  present  division  was  made.  Within 
the  next  ten  or  twenty  years,  the  various  villages  of  the  township  were  estab- 
lished. There  are  today  in  Buckeye  a  larger  number  of'  villages  than  in  any 
other  township  of  the  county.  In  1849,  Cedarville  was  founded  and  laid  out  by 
George  Ilgen,  and  in  the  same  year  Buckeye  Center  came  into  existence.  Buena 
Vista  was  platted  and  settled  on  September  19,  1852.  Later  on  Afolkey  was 
settled  in  the  northeastern  portion  of  the  township  on  the  town  line.  Buckeye 
Township  is  today  one  of  the  most  prosperous  sections  of  the  county.  It  has  a 
population  of  about  3,000  inhabitants,  most  of  them  located  on  the  farms  of  the 
the  township.  Buckeye  is  one  of  the  larger  townships  of  the  county,  containing 
thirty-six  square  miles.  It  is  traversed  by  the  Madison  and  Dodgeville  branches 
of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  which  pass  through  Red  Oak,  formerly  known 
as  Cedarville  Junction,  and  Buena  Vista. 

BUCKEYE  CENTER. 

Buckeye  Center  is  no  longer  a  postoffice,  and  since  the  removal  of  that  in- 
stitution there  is  nothing  at  the  cross  roads  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  pass- 
ing traveller.  Formerly  a  large  number  of  farmers  came  to  Buckeye  Center 
for  their  mail,  and  the  settlement  which  sprang  up  about  the  postoffice  sup- 
ported a  general  store.  However,  the  advent  of  the  Rural  Free  Delivery  system 
put  Buckeye  Center  postoffice  out  of  service,  as  it  did  so  many  others.  With  the 
withdrawal  of  the  postoffice  the  store  discontinued  its  business  and  the  village 
is  now  merely  a  group  of  farm  houses. 


342  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Buckeye  Center  does,  however,  contain  the  town  hall  of  Buckeye  Township, 
where  the  township  meetings  are  held.  There  is  also  an  Evangelical  church, 
the  oldest  now  in  existence  in  the  county.  It  is  the  same  building  which  was 
originally  built,  and  presents  an  exceedingly  dilapidated  appearance,  many  of  the 
windows  being  broken  in,  and  the  whole  property  abandoned  and  out  of  re- 
pair. Services  have  long  since  been  discontinued  in  the  church,  and  the  build- 
ing is  now  of  interest  only  to  the  lover  of  the  antique. 

While  Buckeye  Center  is  hardly  a  village  in  the  strict  sense  of  the  word  since 
the  removal  of  the  postoffice,  the  settlement  is  most  picturesque,  being  located 
in  a  wooded  hollow  at  the  foot  of  a  considerable  hill.  The  main  buildings  of 
the  settlement  are  occupied  by  the  Maple  Spring  Dairy,  whose  trim  dwelling- 
house  and  outbuildings,  and  neat,  well-kept,  sweet-scented  dairy  bespeak  a 
prosperous  and  well  conducted  business. 

RED  OAK. 

Red  Oak  is  the  newest  town  in  Buckeye  Township.  It  was  not  a  natural 
settlement,  but  sprang  into  existence  at  the  time  of  the  building  of  the  rail- 
road to  Madison  and  Dodgeville.,  In  1888,  the  two  northern  branches  of  the 
Illinois  Central  were  put  through.  They  ran  over  the  same  tracks  from  Free- 
port  to  Scioto  Mills,  and  thence  to  a  point  in  the  southern  part  of  Buckeye 
Township.  Here  they  divided  and  the  Madison  branch  went  north  through 
Buena  Vista  and  Orangeville,  while  the  Dodgeville  line  ran  in  a  northwesterly 
direction  through  the  towns  of  McConnell  and  Winslow. 

At  the  point  of  divergence  in  the  southern  part  of  Buckeye,  there  was  orig- 
inally no  town,  but  a  tiny  settlement  quickly  grew  up  about  the  railroad  sta- 
tion. The  station  was  originally  named  Cedarville  Junction,  from  its  proximity 
to  that  village,  but  the  postoffice  which  was  presently  established,  assumed  the 
name  of  Red  Oak,  and  the  railroad  name  of  the  village  was  also  changed. 

The  first  settler  of  Red  Oak  was  W.  R.  Bender,  who  founded  the  village  in 
1888.  He  opened  a  grocery,  and  general  store,  and  became  the  first  postmaster. 
The  settlement  grew  slowly  for  a  time,  when  the  influx  of  several  farmers  raised 
the  population  to  about  one  hundred,  which  it  still  remains.  For  thirteen  years, 
Mr.  Bender  conducted  his  grocery  and  general  store,  until  the  advent  of  an- 
other grocery  in  1901.  At  that  time  he  closed  the  doors  of  his  general  store, 
and  reopened  soon  after  with  a  hardware  and  farmers'  supplies  establishment. 

In  addition  to  its  two  stores,  Red  Oak  also  boasts  of  a  creamery,  which  is 
one  of  the  oldest  institutions  of  the  town.  It  was  built  and  organized  in  1892, 
four  years  after  the  coming  of  the  railroad.  The  Red  Oak  Creamery  is  now 
in  the  hands  of  the  Farmers'  Mutual  Benefit  Association,  and  is  operated  by 
William  Waite.  It  is  doing  a  large  business,  and  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous 
of  its  kind  in  the  county. 

Red  Oak  possesses  two  lodges,  one  a  camp  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  and  the  other  an  organization  of  the  Mystic  Workers.  There  is  one 
church,  a  Methodist  organization,  which  was  founded  soon  after  the  building 
of  the  town.  The  church  edifice,  which  is  a  handsome  brick  structure,  was 
erected  in  1891.  The  pastor  now  in  charge  is  the  Rev.  W.  M.  Kaufman,  of 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  343 

Orangeville,  who  has  Red  Oak  as  part  of  his  circuit.  The  several  church  so- 
cieties are  all  active  organizations  in  their  various  lines  of  activity,  but  aside 
from  them,  the  social  life  of  the  community  is  necessarily  limited.  The  last 
census  numbered  the  population  of  Red  Oak  at  about  125,  and  the  village  has 
grown  little,  if  any  at  all,  within  the  past  ten  years. 

BUENA  VISTA. 

A  typical  village  of  the  prairie  is  Buena  Vista,  located  on  Richland  Creek 
in  the  northwestern  corner  of  Buckeye  Township.  The  site  has  been  appro- 
priately named  Buena  Vista,  for  it  is  located  on  a  slight  natural  eminence,  the 
prospect  from  which  is  most  beautiful.  Outside  of  the  natural  beauty  of  the 
surroundings,  there  is  little  within  the  town  to  attract  the  visitor  or  speculator. 

Buena  Vista  was  platted  and  laid  out  September  19,  1852,  by  Marcus  Mon- 
telius,  who  acted  as  surveyor.  Philip  Reitzell  was  the  real  founder  of  the  town, 
inasmuch  as  he  contributed  forty  acres  for  the  town  site,  and  took  charge  of 
selling  them.  But  Buena  Vista  never  grew  very  rapidly.  When  the  railroad 
came  through  in  1888  there  was  an  influx  of  population,  which,  however, 
never  amounted  to  a  "boom."  Unfortunately,  Buena  Vista  has  never  offered  any 
inducements  to  settlers.  There  is  no  church  in  the  village,  and  has  never  been 
one.  Bellevue  church,  one  and  one-half  miles  east  of  the  city  is  a  Lutheran 
church,  and  offers  facilities  to  the  members  of  that  church.  Aside  from  the 
Bellevue  church,  the  places  of  worship  are,  in  general,  at  a  considerable  dis- 
tance from  Buena  Vista.  As  far  as  schools  are  concerned,  the  village  is  fairly 
well  provided  for.  There  is  a  very  satisfactory  district  school,  but  no  high 
school  opportunities  are  offered,  and  the  aspiring  youth  is  obliged  to  journey 
either  to  Orangeville,  or,  as  is  usually  the  case,  to  Freeport. 

Buena  Vista  possesses  a  creamery,  which  was  established  about  thirty  years 
ago,  and  has  been  in  operation  almost  constantly  since  that  time.  It  is  oper- 
ated by  a  Farmers'  Mutual  Benefit  Association,  and  is  managed  by  B.  Jonely, 
who  has  been  in  charge  for  the  last  four  years.  There  is  also  a  large  lumber  ' 
business,  which,  however,  is  not  a  home  industry,  but  is  conducted  by  Meyers 
Brothers,  of  Scioto  Mills. 

The  old  Whitehall  Mills,  long  since  burned  to  the  ground,  were  for  a  long 
time  the  only  mills  of  the  vicinity,  and  enjoyed  a  large  business.  In  1839  or 
1840  the  old  mills  were  erected  by  Philip  Reitzell  and  Ezra  Gillett,  the  former 
building  the  grist-mill  and  the  latter  the  saw-mill.  Mr.  Reitzell  purchased  the 
saw-mill  from  Mr.  Gillett,  and  operated  the  business  until  his  death,  when  his 
sons  succeeded  to  the  business.  They  continued  in  possession  until  1869,  when 
the  venture  failed  and  the  mill  was  sold  under  foreclosure  proceedings  to  the 
Northwestern  Life  Insurance  Company  for  $22,000.  In  1870  Jacob  Schaet- 
zell  and  Jacob  Rumel  bought  the  business  and  sold  it  to  Samuel  Wagner. 
Mr.  Wagner  disposed  of  the  business  to  Jerry  Wohlford,  for  $18,090,  and 
the  latter  continued  in  operation  until  the  burning  of  his  mill.  After  a 
short  season  on  operation,  Mr.  Wohlford  discontinued  the  grist-mill  and  con- 
tinued to  operate  the  saw-mill  alone.  In  1887,  the  place  was  visited  by  fire,  and 


344  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

the  mill  burned  to  the  ground.     No  attempts  were  ever  made  to  rebuild  the 
structure. 

At  the  present  time,  Buena  Vista  patronizes  one  store,  which  carries  a 
general  stock  of  groceries,  dry  goods,  hardware,  books,  drugs,  etc.  W.  M.  Gift 
who  is  proprietor  of  the  store  has  only  owned  the  venture  for  a  few  years.  Mr. 
Gift  is  also  postmaster  at  Buena  Vista.  The  last  census  gave  Buena  Vista  a 
population  of  30  inhabitants,  and  there  are  small  prospects  for  further  growth 
or  development. 

CEDARVILLE. 

Cedarville  is  a  beautiful  village  six  miles  south  of  Freeport  in  the  valley  of 
Cedar  Creek.  About  the  village  along  the  creek  that  cuts  its  way  through  the 
outcropping  Galena  limestone,  are  some  of  the  most  picturesque  scenes  in  the 
County  of  Stephenson.  The  absence  of  railroad  or  trolley  gives  the  village 
many  characteristics  peculiar  to  the  towns  of  earlier  days. 

The  first  settlements  were  made  in  1837.  That  year  Dr.  Van  Valzah,  the 
pioneer  of  that  long  train  of  immigrants  from  Pennsylvania,  built  a  cabin 
and  bought  the  claim  to  the  mill  site.  The  same  year  came  the  Chicagoans. 
Josiah  Clingman  had  visited  the  vicinity  and  picked  out  a  claim  in  1836,  and 
then  brought  his  family  in  1837.  His  wife,  Mrs.  Maria  Clingman,  is  still  liv- 
ing in  Cedarville  having  passed  the  century  mark,  Dec.  12,  1909.  She  says 
there  was  just  one  log  shack  in  the  present  limits  of  Cedarville  when  her  family 
arrived  in  1837.  Levi  Lucas  had  a  log  house  north  of  the  village,  and  here  the 
Clingmans  stayed  until  Mr.  Clingman  put  a  roof  on  his  log  house.  John  God- 
dard  and  Barton  Jones  had  marked  the  mill  claim  which  they  sold  to  Dr.  Van 
Valzah. 

The  village  was  laid  out  in  1849  by  George  Ilgen,  the  surveying  being  done 
by  Marcus  Montelius.  About  1850,  James  Canfield  set  up  a  brick  kiln  about 
two  miles  west  of  the  village.  The  present  store  and  postoffice  building  was 
built  about  the  same  time  by  Samuel  Sutherland.  Other  houses  were  built 
around  1851  by  Francis  Knauss,  James  Benson,  David  Clements  and  Dr. 
Bucher.  John  H.  Adams  built  a  handsome  residence  in  1854,  and  put  up  the 
mill  in  1858. 

The  village  grew  slowly  until  it  reached  a  population  of  400  or  500.  Its 
citizens  of  the  early  days  were  among  the  most  progressive  people  of  Stephen- 
son  County.  Schools  and  churches  have  been  maintained  and  in  all  the  greater 
movements  of  the  county,  Cedarville  has  been  represented  by  earnest  and  able 
men  and  women. 

John  C.  Pepperman  is  president  of  the  village  board  and  Henry  Richert  is 
clerk. 

Mr.  Frank  W.  Clingman  is  president  of  the  board  of  school  directors,  and 
Geo.  Kryder  and  Clinton  Fink  are  members.  The  first  school  was  three  miles 
north  of  the  present  village  in  1836.  In  1846,  through  the  influence  of  Hon. 
John  H.  Adams  and  the  Clingmans,  a  one-story  frame  building  was  put  up  by 
subscription,  near  the  old  cemetery.  A.  Mr.  Chadwick  and  a  Julia  Putnam  were 
the  first  teachers. 


Lutheran  Reform  Church 


Looking  North  on  Stephenson  Street 


Public  School 


Presbyterian  Church 


Methodist  Episcopal  Church 


Evangelical  Church 


CEDARYILLE  SCENES 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNWLKSI1Y  Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY  345 

In  1853  the  basement  of  the  Lutheran  church  was  used  as  a  school  room, 
till  a  two-story  brick  building  was  completed  in  1855.  The  lower  room  was 
for  school  purposes  while  the  upper  room  was  a  public  hall.  In  1857,  a  Miss 
Gorham  conducted  a  private  school  in  the  upstairs  room.  This  school  was 
conducted  by  Colonel  H.  C.  Forbes  till  1865.  In  1880  the  directors  were  John 
H.  Adams,  Joseph  P.  Reel  and  Jacob  Sill.  The  present  school  building  was 
erected  later  and  is  now  being  equipped  with  a  steam  heating  plant.  Many 
students  have  gone  out  of  the  Cedarville  schools  to  achieve  success  and  fame 
in  the  world. 

Cedarville  has  four  church  buildings,  the  old  Methodist  church  being  built 
of  brick  in  1849;  the  German  Reformed  and  Lutheran  in  1854;  the  Evangelical 
in  1859  and  the  Presbyterian  in  1876. 

The  first  Methodist  meetings  were  held  in  the  log  schoolhouse  and  at  the 
Jiomes  of  Methodists  and  were  conducted  by  the  occasional  circuit  riders.  The 
present  pastor  is  Rev.  B.  C.  Hollowell. 

The  Evangelical  church  at  first  worshipped  at  the  schoolhouse  and  in  the 
homes  of  the  members.  The  church  was  built  in  1856  at  a  cost  of  $3,000.  Prom- 
inent among  the  founders  of  the  church  were  the  families  of  Benjamin  Hess, 
Christine  Auman,  David  Neidigh,  Benjamin  Levan,  Robert  Sedam,  William 
Vore,  Henry  Mark,  Jacob  Sills,  etc.  It  is  claimed  that  the  first  services  were 
held  by  Rev.  Levi  Tobias. 

The  Lutherans  organization  has  been  abandoned.  Among  its  pastors  were 
Rev.  G.  J.  Donmeyer,  E.  Miller,  J.  Stoll,  A.  B.  Niddlesworth,  B.  F.  Pugh  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Shimpf. 

The  following  is  the  history  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Cedarville  taken 
from  the  Historic  Manual  published  in  1906:  The  first  meeting  that  we  have 
any  record  of  was  one  held  in  what  was  known  as  the  Richland  schoolhouse, 
situated  midway  between  Cedarville  and  Buena  Vista,  now  known  as  the  Belle- 
view  schoolhouse. 

An  affidavit  setting  forth  what  was  done  at  the  meeting  was  found  by  John 
G.  Bruce,  December  13,  1893,  amongst  the  papers  of  Adrian  W.  Lucas  in  his 
possession,  to-wit: 

"State  of  Illinois,  Stephenson  County,  ss: — We,  the  undersigned,  do  hereby 
certify  that  on  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  December,  A.  D.,  1845,  the  German 
Presbyterian  Society  of  Richland,  in  said  county,  met  at  the  Richland  school- 
house  and  elected  viva  voce  the  following  named  persons  for  the  term  of  one 
year  from  the  first  Saturday  in  January,  A.  D.,  1846;  Adrian  W.  Lucas  for 
the  term  of  two  years  from  the  same  time;  and  John  H.  Addams  for  the  term 
of  three  years  from  the  same  date.  That  the  name  and  style  of  said  church 
or  corporation  is  and  shall  be  "The  German  Presbyterian  Society  of  Richland," 
in  said  county. 

"In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and  seals  this  sec- 
ond day  of  January,  A.  D.,  1846. 

"HENRY   AULT,    (SEAL) 
"ADRIAN  W.  LUCAS,   (SEAL) 
"JOHN  H.  ADDAMS.  (SEAL) 


346  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

"State  of  Illinois,  Stephenson  County,  ss: — Henry  Ault,  one  of  the  above 
named  trustees,  after  being  duly  sworn  according  to  law,  deposes  and  says  that 
the  facts  set  forth  in  the  foregoing  certificate  are  true. 

"HENRY  AULT 

"Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me  this  5th  day  of  January,  A.  D.,  1846. 

"JOHN   A.  CLARK. 
"Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  said  County. 

"Filed  and  entered  for  record  this  5th  day  of  January,  A.  D.,  1846,  at  half 
after  1 1  o'clock  a.  m.  Liber  B,  pages  437  and  438. 

"JOHN  A.  CLARK,  Recorder. 

"Members — Henry  Ault,  Adrian  W.  Lucas  and  wife,  Elizabeth  Lucas  (Mr. 
Lucas'  mother),  Levi  Lucas,  Thos.  Pollock  and  John  Pollock." 

How  long  this  organization  lasted  or  who  were  members  other  than  the 
above  named,  we  have  no  way  of  finding  out.  We  have  another  record  of  later 
date  that  was  also  found  with  Mr.  Lucas'  papers,  which  reads  as  follows: 

"BUCKEYE,  ILL.,  January  27,  1851. 

"At  a  meeting  held  pursuant  to  public  notice  for  the  purpose  of  organizing 
a  Church  of  Christ,  a  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Downer,  of  Freeport, 
from  Acts  20  -.24,  after  which  Rev.  A.  Kent,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Galena,  was 
appointed  moderator  and  Rev.  J.  C.  Downer,  clerk,  Adrian  W.  Lucas  and  wife 
and  grandmother,  Elizabeth  Lucas,  Levi  Lucas,  Robert  Boals,  Mrs.  Margaret 
Boal,  Thomas  Boal,  Mrs.  Catharine  Jenkins,  Miss  Jennie  Boal,  Miss  Sarah 
Boal,  John  Wilson,  Mrs.  Rosana  Wynkoop,  and  Mrs.  Sarah  Young  presented  a 
joint  letter  of  dismission  from  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Freeport,  and 
requested  to  be  formed  in  the  church." 

The  following  resolutions  were  passed  unanimously,  viz : 

"Resolved,  that  we  now  form  a  Church  of  Christ,  which  shall  be  called  the 
First  Presbyterian  church  of  Cedarville,  and  be  under  the  care  of  Presbytery    . 
of  Galena,  etc. 

The  session  met  after  adjournment,  with  the  following  as  members:  A.  W. 
Lucas,  elder;  Rev.  A.  Kent,  moderator;  and  Rev.  J.  C.  Downer  and  John  N. 
Powell,  of  the  Galena  Presbytery,  as  members. 

At  this  meeting  the  following  members  presented  themselves  and  were  ad- 
mitted on  profession  of  faith,  viz:  Andrew  Wilson,  Mrs.  Mary  Boal  and  Miss 
Letitia  Boal. 

July  12,  1851. — At  a  meeting  of  the  session  held  after  preparatory  services, 
the  following  members  were  received  into  the  church,  viz : 

A.  W.  Lucas,  Henry  Ault,  Levi  Lucas,  Thomas  Pollock  and  John  Pollock 

The  services  of  the  congregation  were  held  in  the  Reformed  church  during 
the  years  1867  to  1875  inclusive,  and  during  the  year  1876  in  the  M.  E.  church. 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  January  21,  1876,  it  was  decided  to  buy 
lots  from  Charles  Duth  and  build  on  them  a  church.  With  this  end  in  view, 
Jacob  Latshaw,  John  Wright  and  J.  Weber  Addams  were  elected  as  a  building 
committee,  with  full  power  to  act. 

At  this  time  Mr.  W.  Lucas  (familiarly  known  in  this  community  as  Aunt 
Betty  Lucas)  offered  to  give  $1,000  toward  the  erection  of  a  church.  With 
this  splendid  offer  the  committee  went  to  work  and  built  a  fine  church,  36x56 


MARIA  SIMI'SOX  CLIXOMAX,  CEDARVILLB 
One  Hundred  Years  Old  December  12,  1909 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  347 

feet,  gothic  in  style,  with  a  98-foot  spire  (a  part  of  the  spire  was  taken  off) 
costing  $3,400.  The  church  was  dedicated  free  of  debt  on  Sunday,  October  29, 
1876.  Rev.  T.  C.  Easton,  of  Belleville,  Illinois,  assisted  the  pastor,  Rev.  L.  H. 
Mitchell  in  the  services.  Many  were  turned  away  who  could  not  find  even 
standing  room  in  the  church  during  the  service. 

It  was  decided  to  celebrate  the  sixth  anniversary  of  our  church  on  December 
29,  1905,  and,  with  this  object  in  view,  a  committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  R.  Nex- 
womb,  Mrs.  J.  K.  Benson  and  C.  W.  Frank  was  elected,  with  power  to  act. 
The  committee  went  to  work  with  a  will,  and  prepared  a  fine  program. 

The  committee  to  build  a  parsonage  reported  to  the  congregation  that  Morgan 
Gandy  was  the  lowest  responsible  bidder.  On  motion  the  contract  was  awarded 
to  him,  and  a  building  committee  consisting  of  Jacob  Latshaw,  John  H.  Addams 
and  John  Wright  was  appointed.  All  the  buildings  were  completed,  costing 
$1,022,000,  and  committee  discharged  April  10,  1880.  The  following  named 
are  the  present  officers  of  the,  church : 

Minister — Rev.  A.  W.  McClurkin. 

Elders — F.  W.  Clingman,  C.  W.  Frank  Elias  D.  Baker,  Henry  Richart. 

Trustees— J.  K.  Benson,  Mrs.  S.  B.  Barber,  Jr.,  Alma  Richart,  Oliver  P. 
Cromley,  T.  Hutchinson  Rutherford,  E.  D.  Baker. 

Supply  Pastors — Calvin  Waterbury,  1845;  J-  C.  Downer,  1851;  John  N. 
Powell,  1851;  A.  Kent,  1851;  Robert  Colston,  1853;  Matthew  B.  Patterson, 
1866;  B.  Roberts,  1867. 

Pastors — John  M.  Linn,  1867-1871;  Louis  H.  Mitchell,  1874-1878;  John  C. 
Irwin,  1879-1882;  James  McFarland,  1883-1884;  J.  W.  Parkhill,  1884-1885; 
J.  H.  Dillingham,  1886-1889;  Thomas  Hickling,  1890-1892;  Henry  Cullen,  1892- 
1900;  Emmett  W.  Rankin,  1900-1901;  Charles  P.  Bates,  1901-1902;  James  T. 
Ford,  1902-1904;  Ozro  R.  Newcomb,  1905-1907;  A.  W.  McClurkin,  1907. 

The  Cedarville  Cemetery  Association  was  organized  in  1855  by  John  H. 
Addams,  Marcus  Montelius,  Josiah  Clingman,  Peter  Wooding  and  John  Wilson. 
Josiah  Clingman  was  elected  president  and  John  H.  Addams  secretary  and 
treasurer. 

The  Cedarville  Library  was  established  in  1846.  The  first  board  of  trustees 
consisted  of  John  H.  Addams,  A.  W.  Lucas,  Josiah  Clingman  and  William  Irwin. 
For  years  the  library  was  located  in  the  home  of  John  H.  Addams  and  was  ac- 
cessible to  all.  This  library  probably  contained  a  higher  proportion  of  books 
of  real  value  than  the  libraries  of  today. 

The  Independent  Band  of  Cedarville  was  organized  in  1873.  In  1880  the 
officers  were :  President,  Henry  Richert ;  Secretary,  J.  B.  McCammon ;  Treasurer, 
W.  B.  Clingman,  and  George  W.  Barber,  leader. 

At  present,  Cedarville  maintains  one  of  the  best  bands  in  northern  Illinois 
and  is  in  great  demand  to  play  at  public  gatherings. 

The  first  postmaster  was  George  Reitzell.  He  was  followed  by  William 
Irwin,  Robert  Sedam  and  Johnathan  Sills.  Jackson  Richart  began  in  1856  and 
the  present  postmaster  is  Henry  Richart. 

From  1835  to  1855  the  people  of  Cedarville  had  faith  that  the  village  was  to 
grow  to  be  a  city.  Mills  and  factories  were  established,  many  of  which  did  a 


348  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

big  business  for  that  day.  But  a  few  factors  which  the  people  could  not  control 
determined  otherwise  and  the  place  is  a  village  still.  One  factor  was  the  per- 
fection of  steam  power.  Another  was  the  decline  of  the  available  water  power, 
with  its  intervals  of  uncertainty.  Another  was  the  failure  of  the  village  to 
secure  a  railroad,  and  the  fourth  is  that  modern  phase  of  industrial  life  that 
has  gathered  up  the  little  shops  and  factories  into  great  corporations  with  almost 
unlimited  capital.  One  by  one  these  irresistible  forces  undermined  the  pros- 
pective industries  of  the  village  until  the  last  dream  of  a  city  has  been  dissipated, 
and  left  Cedarville  with  the  great  opportunity  to  be  a  model  village.  In  this 
it  may  still  easily  become  great.  Among  the  early  business  enterprises  were 
Reel  &  Syler's  Purifier  Manufactory,  which  did  a  $30,000  business  in  1880; 
J.  B.  McCammon's  Carriage  Factory,  a  $10,000  business  in  1880;  John  Shaffer's 
Carriage  Factory,  established  in  1859 ;  the  J.  W.  Henny  Carriage  Factory,  which 
moved  to  Freeport;  and  the  Cedarville  Mills.  The  first  mill  was  a  God-send  to 
that  portion  of  the  county.  Dr.  Van  Valzah  conducted  it  until  1840  when  it  was 
sold  to  David  Neidigh.  Conrad  Epley  and  John  W.  Shuey  bought  it  of  Neidigh 
and  sold  it  to  Hon.  J.  H.  Addams  in  1844  Ior  $4,4°°-  In  J846  Mr.  Addams  re- 
built the  mill  and  in  1858  built  the  mill  that  now  stands  as  one  of  the  land  marks 
of  the  county.  It  was  three  stories  high,  36x54,  had  three  run  of  stones,  and 
cost  $10,000.  Its  capacity  in  1880  was  100  barrels  of  flour  daily. 

ROCK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP. 

Rock  Grove  Township  is  the  home  of  a  group  of  the  most  thrifty  and  pros- 
perous farmers  that  can  be  found  anywhere  in  Stephenson  County.  The  farms 
are  under  high  cultivation,  and  each  and  every  one  is  provided  with  the  most 
up-to-date  machinery  and  farm  appurtenances.  The  number  of  new  circular 
barns  which  have  been  erected  within  the  last  few  years  in  and  about  Rock 
Grove  exceeds  that  of  any  other  township  of  the  county.  Corn,  wheat,  oats, 
rye,  and  barley  are  grown  in  abundance,  and  hogs,  sheep,  and  cattle  are  raised 
in  large  numbers,  and  the  whole  township  from  one  corner  to  another  presents 
an  appearance  of  thrift,  peace,  and  plenty,  which  is  exceedingly  beautiful  to 
the  eye. 

There  are  two  townships  in  the  county  which  are  not  entered  by  any  rail- 
road, and  Rock  Grove  is  one  of  them.  There  has  been  talk  at  various  times  of 
connecting  Freeport  and  the  village  of  Rock  Grove  by  an  electric  line.  Such  a 
line  would  possibly  prove  a  paying  venture  as  it  would  supply  the  long  felt 
want  of  transportation  facilities  to  the  dwellers  in  the  village  and  especially  the 
farmers  of  the  surrounding  country.  The  prospects  of  an  immediate  com- 
pletion of  the  venture  are,  however,  exceedingly  vague. 

Rock  Grove  is  traversed  by  a  number  of  small  creeks,  notably  Rock  Creek, 
which  flows  south  to  join  Rock  Run  in  Rock  Run  Township.  There  are  also 
a  number  of  other  small  streams  which  have  their  sources  in  this  township  and 
flow  down  to  swell  the  tide  of  the  Pecatonica.  The  ground  is  slightly  rolling, 
and  the  surface  of  the  township  is  well  wooded.  There  are  large  groves  of 


CUEAMBKY  AT  CEDARVILLE 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY  349 

valuable  timber  at  Walnut,  Linn,  and  Rock  Groves,  suitable  for  building  and 
other  mechanical  purposes.  The  water  supply  is  admirable;  there  are  a  num- 
ber of  artesian  wells  of  delicious  drinking  water  scattered  throughout  the 
region. 

No  permanent  settlement  was  made  in  Rock  Grove  Township  earlier  than 
1835,  although  many  transients  and  prospectors  had  passed  through  on  their 
way  westward  long  before  that  date.  In  the  summer  of  1835,  Albert  Albert- 
son,  accompanied  by  Johnathan  Corey,  came  to  the  township,  and,  having  pitched 
their  tents  in  the  vicinity  of  the  present  village  of  Rock  Grove,  they  were  so 
delighted  with  the  aspect  of  the  country  that  they  decided  to  remain  perma- 
nently. They  entered  their  claims  in  Section  36  of  the  present  township  and 
there  took  up  their  permanent  abode.  In  December  of  the  same  year,  Albert- 
son  and  Corey  were  joined  by  Eli  Frankeberger,  who  came  with  his  family 
from  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  and  settled  in  the  present  village  of  Rock 
Grove.  In  the  same  month  of  their  arrival,  the  first  white  child  born  in  the 
township,  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frankeberger,  and  straightway  christened 
"Louisa  Frankeberger." 

The  following  winter  was  one  of  sore  trial  to  the  new  settlers,  owing  to 
insufficiency  of  food  and  supplies.  In  the  course  of  the  winter  they  were  joined 
by  Josiah  Blackamore,  and  later  by  one  or  two  others.  But  the  recruits  were 
few,  and  it  was  only  the  enthusiasm  and  courage  of  the  new  settlers  that  kept 
them  from  a  disgraceful  retreat.  That  they  did  remain  in  their  chosen  habi- 
tation is  greatly  to  their  credit,  and  that  they  never  regretted  it  is  shown  by 
the  fact  that  most  of  them  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  within  the  bounds  of 
Rock  Grove  Township,  and  their  descendants  are  living  there  today. 

In  1836  few  new  settlers  came  to  Rock  Grove  Township,  but  in  1837  they 
began  to  come  in  large  numbers.  Previous  to  this  year,  the  settlers  had  laid 
their  claims  in  and  about  the  future  village  of  Rock  Grove.  Some  of  the  new- 
comers went  farther  out  in  the  country,  as  Joseph  Musser,  who  settled  in  Sec- 
tions 19  and  20,  Thomas  Chambers,  Samuel  Chambers,  William  Wallace,  and 
a  few  others.  They  all  clung  close  to  the  grove,  however,  and  did  not  go  up 
into  the  northern  part  of  the  township.  In  the  same  year  came  Mr.  Moon, 
who  laid  his  claim  in  Sections  31  and  32,  east  of  the  grove,  Joseph  Osborn, 
who  opened  a  farm  in  Section  35,  and  laid  claim  to  timber  lands  in  Section  30. 
In  Section  31,  in  the  future  village  site,  Samuel  Guyer  and  Daniel  Guyer  came 
to  take  up  their  claim,  and  later  founded  the  village  itself. 

The  first  marriage  occurred  during  the  winter  of  1836-7,  and  the  contracting 
parties  were  Josiah  Blackamore  and  Miss  Wallace,  a  daughter  of  William  Wal- 
lace, an  early  settler.  This  marriage  did  not  take  place  in  the  township  itself, 
however,  but  in  Green  County,  Wisconsin — hence  many  of  the  old  settlers  dis- 
claim it  as  the  first  marriage  in  the  township.  It  is  said  that  Josiah  Blacka- 
more, who  was  one  of  an  army  of  volunteer  soldiers,  who  had  been  sent  by  the 
government  to  aid  in  driving  back  the  Indians,  became  smitten  with  the  charms 
of  Miss  Wallace  and  on  his  return  from  the  Indian  wars,  he  wooed  and  won  her. 

In  1838,  the  first  marriage  within  the  bounds  of  the  township  itself  oc- 
curred. Albert  and  Lavinia  Albertson  were  united  in  marriage  by  Eli  Franke- 
berger, who  was  justice  of  the  county  in  addition  to  his  farming  duties.  On 


350  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

April  19,  1839,  Elijah  Clark  and  Harriet  Hodgson  were  united  at  Walnut 
Grove  by  Squire  Kinney. 

In  the  fall  of  1839,  Solomon  Fisher  and  Jacob  Fisher  came  to  Rock  Grove 
Township  and  laid  claim  to  600  acres  of  ground  in  Sections  25  and  26.  The 
claim  had  previously  been  entered  by  Drummond,  a  transient  miner,  who  erected 
a  16  by  16  cabin  and  dug  a  well.  Drummond  did  not  stay  long  and  sold  out 
to  the  Fisher  brothers  upon  his  departure  from  the  locality.  In  1839  and  1840 
the  immigration  was  large.  Among  those  who  came  at  this  time  were  Peter 
George,  John  Fisher,  Calvin  Preston,  J.  S.  Potter,  John  Kleckner,  John  and 
Reuben  Bolender,  George  and  Jacob  Maurer,  Joseph  Barber,  Levi,  Adam  and 
Michael  Bolender,  and  others.  By  this  time  the  population  of  the  township 
was  very  well  distributed.  The  settlers  were  not  altogether  gathered  about  the 
grove,  but  had  spread  out  and  taken  claims  even  up  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  township  near  the  state  line. 

The  first  death  in  the  history  of  the  township  occurred  in  1842,  although 
some  say  it  was  1843,  ar*d  took  place  under  very  tragic  circumstances.  Wil- 
liam Wallace,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  the  region,  became  violently  in- 
sane, and  going  out  into  the  woods  on  the  edge  of  the  grove,  he  hung  himself 
to  a  tree.  He  was  buried  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village  of  Rock  Grove,  where 
the  tragic  event  occurred.  Along  in  1843  another  tragedy  occurred,  this  time 
a  tragedy  of  mysterious  and  inexplicable  nature.  A  man  named  Boardman, 
who  was  employed  on  the  farm  of  one  Daniel  Noble  near  Walnut  Grove,  was 
shot  to  death  by  the  hand  of  an  unknown  assassin.  Nothing  was  ever  learned 
either  of  the  assassin  or  the  possible  motives  for  his  deed,  and,  although  the 
event  transpired  nearly  seventy  years  ago,  it  is  still  shrouded  in  the  deepest 
mystery. 

After  1839,  prosperity  began  to  be  apparent  in  the  township.  Supplies  were 
easier  to  obtain,  and  the  founder  of  several  mills  in  the  nearby  county,  viz : 
the  Van  Valzah  Mills  at  Cedarville,  the  Curtis  mills  at  Orangeville,  and  various 
smaller  mills  on  Rock  Run,  placed  the  inhabitants  of  Rock  Grove  Township 
in  a  safe  and  comfortable  position.  From  about  1841  dates  the  modern  his- 
tory of  Rock  Grove  Township.  In  1844  occurred  the  sale  of  government  lands 
at  public  auction,  and  thereafter  the  inpour  of  settlers  was  very  great.  In  1846 
the  first  school  was  established  in  the  township,  in  Section  36,  near  the  village 
site,  and  the  educational  facilities  of  the  township  have  since  been  on  the  steady 
increase.  At  present  no  section  of  the  county  is  provided  with  better  conducted 
schools.  In  1850  the  township  was  set  apart  and  formally  organized  as  Rock 
Grove  Township.  In  the  same  year  the  village  of  Rock  Grove,  first  known 
as  Guyer's  Addition,  was  founded. 

Rock  Grove  Township  comprises  a  territory  of  thirty-three  square  miles, 
or  nearly  that  area.  It  contains  but  one  village,  the  Rock  Grove  mentioned 
above.  Located  in  the  far  northeastern  corner  of  the  county,  it  is  farthest  of 
any  township  from  the  county  seat,  but  is  well  provided  with  schools  and 
churches  and  is  one  of  the  pleasantest  spots  of  the  county  for  permanent  resi- 
dence, both  from  a  farming  standpoint  and  as  a  place  of  retreat,  where  joy  and 
comfort  can  be  the  prime  factors  in  life. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  351 

ROCK  GROVE. 

i 

Rock  Grove  village  although  not  formally  platted  out  until  as  late  as  1850, 
was  one  of  the  oldest  villages  in  the  county.  It  was  in  reality  founded  by  the 
first  settlers  who  came  to  the  township,  inasmuch  as  they  located  their  claims 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  grove,  and  many  of  them  in  the  very 
town  site  itself.  The  land  on  which  the  town  was  later  located  was  origin- 
ally owned  by  C.  W.  Cummings,  who  afterward  sold  out  to  Peter  D. 
Fisher.  Fisher  himself  had  also  owned  some  land  in  the  neighborhood  and 
Samuel  Guyer  owned  extensive  property  just  to  the  west.  In  1850  Samuel 
Guyer  laid  out  the  village  and  sold  lots,  but  the  whole  settlement  was  re- 
platted  and  re-surveyed  by  Benjamin  Dornblazer  in  1855.  In  1856,  on  the 
spth  of  August,  J.  D.  Schmeltzer  set  apart,  surveyed  and  platted  nine  acres 
in  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  36,  and  called  it  by  the  name  of  Schmelt- 
zer's  Addition. 

In  1852  Fisher's  Addition,  which  had  never  been  settled  thickly  enough  to 
deserve  the  name  of  village,  was  abandoned,  and  sold  to  Solomon  Hoy.  Thence- 
forth it  was  never  used  for  village  purposes,  but  on  April  22,  1869,  Samuel  H. 
Fisher  laid  off  four  acres  south  of  Schmeltzer's  Addition  in  village  lots  and 
a  settlement  quickly  sprang  up  there.  The  village  is  today  as  it  was  then,  oc- 
cupying for  the  most  part  only  four  or  five  streets,  with  one  main  street  on 
which  the  stores  and  all  the  principal  residences  of  the  village  are  located  . 

Rock  Grove  possesses  three  churches,  schools,  two  stores,  a  telephone  ex- 
change, a  hotel,  and  several  lodges,  which  meet  in  the  Woodmen's  Hall.  There 
are  also  two  cheese  factories,  one  of  them  operating  about  a  half  mile  north 
of  Rock  Grove,  the  other  some  distance  west. 

Churches.  Of  the  three  churches,  only  the  Evangelical  and  Reformed 
churches  are  at  present  holding  divine  worship.  The  third,  an  Evangelical  Lu- 
theran congregation  has  temporarily  disbanded,  and  no  services  are  being  held 
in  the  church. 

Evangelical  Church.  The  Evangelical  adherents  of  Rock  Grove  have  had 
a  church  and  held  services  for  a  very  long  time,  but  for  some  years  after  estab- 
lishing the  congregation,  no  church  edifice  was  bought  or  built.  The  congre- 
gation held  services  and  worshiped  in  the  church  belonging  to  the  Lutheran 
congregation,  located  about  a  half  mile  west  of  the  center  of  the  village. 

In  1878  the  congregation  had  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  it  seemed  ad- 
visable to  put  up  a  church  building.  Under  the  direction  of  a  building  commit- 
tee consisting  of  George  Meyers,  Jere  Swartz,  Jacob  Sullivan,  William  Alex- 
ander, and  A.  Bolender,  an  edifice  costing  $2,300  was  put  up  and  paid  for  by 
subscriptions  from  among  the  farmers  of  the  township  and  village.  The  church 
was  dedicated  on  the  27th  of  November,  1878,  and  has  been  in  use  ever  since 
that  time. 

The  Rock  Grove  Evangelical  church  is  in  the  same  charge  with  the  Oakley 
church,  and  both  are  presided  over  by  the  Rev.  G.  Eberly,  who  has  been  in 
residence  since  about  a  year  ago,  when  he  came  here  from  Anna,  Illinois. 
Both  churches  are  in  a  prosperous  condition.  The  Rock  Grove  church  is  the 
larger  of  the  two,  having  a  membership  of  eighty-six  and  a  Sunday  school  of 


352  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

one  hundred  and  twenty.  The  Oakley  church  has  a  membership  of  sixty-two 
and  a  Sunday  school  of  about  sixty.  The  church  owns  a  parsonage,  beautifully 
located  in  the  village  of  Rock  Grove,  and  valued  at  about  $1,000.  The  Rock 
Grove  church  is  estimated  at  about  $1,600,  and  the  Oakley  church  at  a  slightly 
smaller  amount. 

Reformed  Church.  The  Reformed  church  holds  its  services  in  the  Lutheran 
church  building  west  of  town.  The  membership  is  very  small,  having  a  con- 
gregation of  about  fourteen,  with  a  Sunday  school  of  twenty.  The  pastoral 
duties  are  performed  by  the  Rev.  G.  W.  Kerstetter,  pastor  of  the  Dakota  church, 
and  services  are  held  only  occasionally.  The  Rock  Grove  charge  was  only 
established  in  1908. 

Evangelical  Lutheran  Church.  The  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  holds  its 
services  at  intervals  in  the  above  mentioned  church  west  of  the  village  of  Rock 
Grove.  At  the  present  time  the  church  is  without  a  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Delo 
having  left  some  time  ago.  It  is  probable  that  services  in  the  Rock  Grove 
church  will  be  altogether  discontinued. 

Lodges.  Rock  Grove  boasts  of  two  lodges,  the  Rock  Grove  Lodge  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  Rock  Camp,  No.  142  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
The  former  has  been  in  existence  for  many  years,  having  been  founded  about 
thirty  years  ago.  The  membership  at  present  is  extended  to  about  sixty  mem- 
bers. G.  Frankeberger  is  noble  grand  and  Henry  Long  is  secretary.  The  M. 
W.  A.  Lodge  was  established  twenty  years  ago  and  has  a  membership  of  about 
forty.  Both  of  these  organizations  meet  in  the  M.  W.  A.  hall  on  Main  street. 

The  Kaup  Hotel  and  feed  barn  has  been  conducted  for  some  years  by  F.  S. 
Kaup  on  East  Main  street.  Mr.  Kaup  intends  to  move  to  Orangeville,  where 
he  will  conduct  the  Central  Hotel.  He  has  kept  a  most  excellent  house  in 
Rock  Grove  and  his  departure  will  be  deeply  regretted.  There  is  no  rival  in- 
stitution, nor  has  any  provision  been  made  for  a  new  hotel  as  yet. 

There  is  one  general  store,  conducted  by  D.  L.  Thoren,  also  a  Bell  telephone 
exchange.  The  present  population  of  the  village  is  estimated  at  about  three 
hundred,  with  no  prospects  for  any  great  increase  in  the  near  future.  Rock 
Grove  is  one  of  the  most  picturesquely  situated  villages  in  the  county,  and  af- 
fords quiet  and  rest  for  a  large  number  of  prosperous  retired  farmers,  whose 
comfortable  and  well  kept  homes  line  the  main  street  of  the  village.  Although 
not  on  any  railroad  line,  Rock  Grove  is  easily  accessible,  being  only  a  few  miles 
from  the  C.,  M.  &  St.  P.  station  at  Rock  City,  and  about  eighteen  miles  from 
Freeport. 

WINSLOW  TOWNSHIP. 

William  Brewster  was  the  first  settler  in  Winslow  Township.  It  is  likely 
that  he  came  in  1834,  although  it  has  been  claimed  that  he  came  in  1833.  He 
was  a  native  of  Vermont  who  had  lived  a  while  in  Tennessee  and  later  at 
Peru,  Illinois.  He  was  a  man  of  means  and  erected  a  comfortable  house  at 
Brewster's  Ferry,  cleared  eighty  acres  of  ground  and  established  a  ferry.  He 
rented  the  ferry  to  William  Robey  the  next  year  and  returned  to  Peru. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  353 

This  township  is  the  northwestern  corner  of  the  county  and  contains  twenty- 
seven  sections  and  nine  fractions  of  sections  along  the  Wisconsin  line.  In  all 
it  contains  about  eighteen  thousand  five  hundred  acres.  The  township  is  crossed 
by  the  Pecatonica,  east  of  which  are  many  groves  of  hard  wood.  Most  of 
the  township  is  made  up  of  rolling  prairie.  Joe  Abenos  assisted  William  Brew- 
ster  in  the  running  of  the  ferry.  A.  C.  Ransom  came  into  the  township  in 
1834  and  returned  with  his  family  in  1835,  settling  one  and  one-half  miles 
southeast  of  the  present  village  of  Winslow.  Here  he  laid  out  the  town  of 
Ransomberg  which  prospered  a  few  years  but  was  soon  abandoned.  George 
Payne  settled  at  Brewster's  Ferry  in  1834  and  George  W.  Lott  built  a  cabin 
in  what  is  now  Winslow  in  the  same  year.  Other  settlers  that  year  were 
Harvey  and  Jerry  Webster. 

In  1835  many  settlers  came  in  from  the  east.  Lemuel  W.  Streator  bought 
the  Brewster  holdings  for  $4,000.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Stewart  and  became 
a  prominent  man  in  the  county. 

James  and  W.  H.  Eels  established  claims  that  year  and  the  family  has  been 
prominent  and  influential  in  affairs  of  Stephenson  County.  In  1835  George 
W.  Lott  and  the  Websters  began  the  erection  of  a  sawmill.  Lott  was  to  build 
the  mill  and  the  Websters  were  to  build  the  dam.  Hector  P.  Kneeland  aided  in 
the  work  and  the  four  owners  completed  the  mill  in  the  fall.  In  1836  Stew- 
art and  McDowell  opened  a  store  in  Ransomberg.  In  the  same  year  Dr.  W. 
G.  Bankson  settled  on  Section  35  and  set  up  his  shingle  as  the  first  physician 
in  the  section.  He  was  married  to  Phoebe  McCumber  in  the  fall  of  1836.  In 
1837  the  following  settlers  arrived:  Rev.  Philo  Judson,  Cornelius  Judson, 
Charles  McCumber,  Ephram  Labaugh,  Alfred  Gaylord,  Rev.  Asa  Ballinger  and 
S.  F.  M.  Fretville.  The  Judsons  settled  below  Brewster's  Ferry,  Rev.  Philo 
soon  moving  on  west.  His  daughter  became  known  as  Mrs.  Governor  Bev- 
eridge.  The  first  child  born  in  the  township  was  Sara  Maria  Denton,  born  in 
the  fall  of  1836.  I.  V.  Gage,  son  of  Silas  Gage,  was  born  January  10,  1838. 
Newcomb  McKinney,  Hiram  Gaylord,  Cornelius  and  Johnathan  Cowen  opened 
farms  and  built  cabins.  May  28,  that  year,  there  came  from  Plymouth  County, 
Massachusetts,  John  Bradford,  Thomas  Loring,  Columbus  and  Ichabod  Thomp- 
son and  the  Moulton  brothers.  They  came  out  to  build  up  the  land  of  the 
Boston  Western  Land  Company  on  which  company's  land  the  village  of  Wins- 
low  was  later  built.  In  the  summer  of  1838  they  built  a  shingle  factory  and 
a  hotel,  the  American  House.  Elias  and  Edward  Hunt  came  the  same  year 
and  in  1839  Joseph  R.  Berry,  W.  P.  Cox,  Gilson  Adams  and  A.  A.  Mallory 
settled  in  the  township. 

In  1844  the  Boston  Land  Company  sent  out  as  agent  Cyrus  Woodman,  and 
under  his  energetic  direction  the  township  was  rapidly  settled  up. 

The  Massachusetts  influence  gave  the  township  its  name,  for  in  1838  it 
was  called  Winslow  in  honor  of  Governor  Winslow,  one  of  the  provincial  gov- 
ernors of  that  state.  The  name  was  given  by  W.  S.  Russell,  the  agent  of  the 
Boston  Land  Company  in  1838. 

The  Boston  Land  Company  at  one  time  owned  seventy-two  thouasnd  acres 
in  Wisconsin,  Missouri,  and  Illinois.  Seven  hundred  acres  were  in  Winslow 
township  on  the  site  of  the  present  town. 


354  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


WINSLOW. 

In  1844  Cyrus  Woodman,  the  new  agent  of  the  land  company,  surveyed, 
platted  and  laid  off  the  village  of  Winslow.  Lots  on  the  main  street  were 
held  at  ten  dollars  and  twenty-five  dollars  each.  The  real  estate  company  was 
not  lacking  in  hope  and  laid  off  a  city  with  square,  streets,  avenues,  and  a 
wharf.  Later  the  company  decided  to  sell  farms  instead  of  town  lots,  and 
thus  disposed  of  its  holdings. 

The  village  was  organized  in  1850.  In  1880  it  contained  three  hundred  and 
seventy-five  inhabitants,  five  stores,  one  church  and  a  hotel. 

In  1837  Rev.  Asa  Ballinger  came  to  Winslow.  He  was  a  pioneer  Meth- 
odist circuit  rider,  and  preached  each  Sunday  in  cabins  or  groves.  In  1849, 
Elisha  Hazzard,  a  congregationalist  minister,  arrived  and  had  good  success  as 
a  minister.  From  1840  to  1855  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  people  cared  for 
by  transients,  in  addition  to  Hazzard  and  Ballinger.  In  1855  the  Presbyterian 
organized  with  nineteen  members.  The  first  meeting  of  the  Presbyterians 
was  at  the  village  hotel  April  gth.  A  later  meeting,  April  igth,  was  well  at- 
tended and  April  2ist  the  organization  was  effected.  The  Presbyterians  held 
services  in  the  schoolhouse  till  fall,  when  a  brick  church,  35x55,  was  built  at 
a  cost  of  $2,000.  Up  to  1880,  the  following  pastors  had  served,  though  part 
of  the  time  the  organization  had  services  by  transient  preachers:  Rev.  John 
N.  Powell,  John  Johnson,  A.  T.  Wood,  a  Mr.  Schofield  and  A.  S.  Gardner. 
After  1880  the  church  declined  and  the  organization  was  broken  up.  The 
building  was  sold  to  the  German  Evangelical  church,  which  now  uses  it. 

Mr.  A.  T.  Loomis,  a  Congregationalist  preacher,  held  a  revival  in  Winslow 
in  1877.  He  met  with  great  success,  securing  one  hundred  converts.  At  the 
close  of  the  revival,  the  "Winslow  Christian  Association"  was  organized.  On 
the  nth  of  May,  1878,  this  organization  became  the  Congregational  church 
with  sixty  members.  Services  were  held  for  a  time  in  Wright's  Hall.  In 
1880  Rev.  Frances  Lawson  was  pastor.  The  organization  never  became  strong 
and  was  later  discontinued. 

The  German  Evangelical  church  of  Winslow  was  established  as  a  mission 
and  bought  the  Presbyterian  church  building  in  1899.  At  present  there  is  a 
small  but  earnest  membership  of  about  thirty.  The  Sunday  school  is  in  good 
condition  and  has  a  membership  of  about  the  same. 

The  church  has  had  the  following  pastors:  1883,  William  Caton ;  1885, 
John  Fahger;  1887,  F.  S.  Entorf ;  1889,  Otto  Brose;  1890,  Geo.  Harris;  1890, 
Peter  C.  Koch;  1893,  W.  P.  Rilling;  1894,  C.  A.  Heisler;  1898,  J.  A.  Holtz- 
man;  1901,  J.  H.  Spear;  1902,  B.  H.  Reutepohler;  1902,  W.  C.  Hallwacs; 
1903,  Henry  Schaffner;  1905,  John  Widner;  1907,  to  the  present  time,  Wil- 
liam Gross. 

The  Methodist  church,  of  which  Rev.  Charles  Briggs  is  pastor,  is  an  active 
organization  and  has  a  beautiful  fram«  church  building  erected  in  1891.  H. 
H.  Morse  is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

Rev.  Metzker  is  pastor  of  the  U.  B.  church,  which  has  a  good  church  build- 
ing and  an  active  membership. 


Oldest    House   in    Winslon 


High  School  U.  B.  Cliurc-h 

\VINSLO\V  VIEWS 


LIBRARY 
OF  THE 

Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  355 

The  first  school  in  Winslow  was  held  in  Edward  Hunt's  wagon  shop  in 
1840.  After  a  short  time  a  schoolhouse  was  built  on  a  hill  southwest  of  town 
which  was  used  till  1872,  when  a  larger  school  building  was  erected  at  a  cost 
of  $3,000.  It  is  a  frame  structure,  40x40  and  two  stories  high.  The  average 
daily  attendance  in  1880  was  sixty-five  students. 

IVinslow  Lodge,  No.  564,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  The  Masonic  lodge  was  estab- 
lished in  1867.  The  following  were  charter  members :  Benjamin  Pym,  John 
Bradford,  Jacob  Sweeley,  P.  Sweeley,  D.  D.  Tyler,  R.  E.  Mack,  T.  Rodebaugh, 
C.  M.  McComber,  M.  J.  Cooper  and  J.  W.  Saucerman. 

The  Winslow  Register  is  in  its  fifteenth  year.  Mr.  F.  A.  Deam  is  editor 
and  proprietor.  The  Register  is  an  eight-page  weekly,  newsy,  and  showing  a 
liberal  advertising  patronage. 

Fuller's  private  bank  was  organized  May  20,  1894,  by  Mr.  J.  M.  Fuller, 
who  died  in  1898.  The  bank  is  now  in  charge  of  Mr.  J.  B.  Fuller  and  does 
an  extensive  business. 

One  of  the  leading  industries  of  Winslow  is  Karlen's  cheese  factory,  one 
of  the  best  in  the  country.  The  product  is  the  Blue  Label  Cheese. 

Mr.  J.  M.  Gordon  is  president  of  the  village  board,  F.  A.  Deam  secretary, 
and  Charlie  Brand,  marshal. 

The  school  directors  are:  Adam  Rect,  president;  Dr.  Willis,  clerk,  and 
1910,  P.  P.  Fisher;  1910,  elect.  Professor  Moorhead. 

The  officials  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  No.  762,  are:  Venerable 
counsel,  J.  M.  Gordon ;  clerk,  C.  C.  Tyler ;  adviser,  L.  H.  Fuller ;  escort,  F.  P. 
Hymes ;  sentry,  A.  H.  Collyer. 

March  4,  1902,  Winslow  suffered  a  disastrous  fire  which  destroyed  sev- 
eral business  houses. 

The  appropriations  of  the  village  board  of  Winslow  for  the  fiscal  year  1910, 
were  as  follows : 

Lighting    $    650.00 

Sidewalks   2,000.00 

Streets  and  alleys 400.00 

Police    200.00 

Incidentals    700.00 


Total     $3,950.00 

Mr.  J.  B.  Fuller  is  treasurer  of  the  Winslow  school  township. 

WEST  POINT  TOWNSHIP. 

West  Point  Township  is  six  miles  square,  is  the  east  half  of  Township  28, 
and  has  an  area  of  twenty-two  thousand  eight  hundred  acres.  In  1850  Wad- 
dams  Township  was  organized,  thus  leaving  West  Point  with  its  present  boun- 
daries. The  first  settlement  in  Stephenson  County  was  made  in  West  Point 
Township.  It  was  made  by  William  Waddams  at  Waddams  Grove  in  1833, 
the  next  year  after  Black  Hawk's  War.  The  war  and  the  previous  uncertain 
attitude  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  had  held  back  the  settlement  of  the  county. 
The  Winnebagoes  also  were  frequently  moody  and  likely  at  any  moment  to 


356  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

join  Black  Hawk  in  an  attack  on  the  white  settlements.  The  final  defeat  of 
the  old  Sac  Brave  at  the  battle  of  the  Bad  Axe,  August  2,  1832,  made  it  pos- 
sible for  the  first  time  for  settlers  to  take  up  claims  in  Stephenson  County  with 
safety.  Even  then  there  were  many  dangers  because  small  squads  of  Indians 
still  lurked  about  the  county.  While  the  threshing  Uncle  Sam  had  given  them 
had  taken  the  fight  out  of  the  red  men,  yet  such  a  foe  might  be  expected  to 
make  trouble  by  means  of  the  skulking  bands  which,  at  least,  were  not  afraid 
to  steal.  Mr.  Waddams  felt  the  effect  of  Indian  depredations  more  than  once. 
At  one  time  they  drove  away  his  hogs. 

Mr.  Waddams  and  his  sons,  Hiram  and  Nelson,  built  a  plain  log  house  of 
one  room.  The  ax  was  the  chief,  if  not  the  only  tool.  The  logs  were  cut  and 
shaped  from  the  trees  of  the  grove — a  one-room  cabin,  with  puncheon  floor  and 
the  great  fire  place. 

In  1834,  the  Waddams  family  was  joined  by  the  families  of  Geo.  S.  Payne, 
John  Garner  and  his  sons,  Alpheus  and  A.  J.  Garner.  Payne  settled  near 
Waddams  and  the  Garners  a  half  mile  from  Lena.  The  next  year,  1835,  came 
Luman  and  Rodney  Montague  and  William  Tucker.  These  families  all  cut 
away  small  clearings  and  began  the  cultivation  of  crops  on  Stephenson  County 
soil.  The  presence  of  these  pioneers  paved  the  way  for  others  and  in  1836, 
Washington  Parker  made  a  permanent  settlement.  In  1837  there  came  Sam- 
uel F.  Dodds,  Jacob  Burbridge,  Martin  Howard,  John  Harmon,  Samuel  and 
Marshall  Bailey,  George  Place,  David  T.  Perry,  Robert  and  William  LaShell, 
James  Thompson,  Oliver  Thompson,  Mr.  Graham,  John  Tucker,  Jesse  Tucker, 
Benjamin  Tucker.  Pells  Manny,  who  came  in  1836,  was  made  postmaster  in 
1838,  and  secured  his  first  patent  for  the  Manny  Reaper  in  1849,  an^  began 
the  manufacture  of  reapers  in  a  little  shop  at  Waddams  before  moving  his  work 
to  Rockford  and  Freeport. 

J.  D.  Fowler  and  Thomas  Way  took  up  claims  in  West  Point  Township 
and  in  1839  M.  L.  Howard  came.  From  1839  to  1853,  the  township  was  rap- 
idly settled  up.  The  welfare  of  the  settlers  was  held  back  because  of  the  ab- 
sence of  a  good  means  of  transportation  and  because  of  a  lack  of  good  mar- 
kets. Supplies  were  obtained  by  wagon  from  Galena,  what  products  the  early 
farmers  had  for  sale  were  hauled  over  the  same  long  and  unbroken  roads. 
For  these  reasons  the  people  were  extremely  interested  in  the  coming  of  the 
railroad.  Every  step  in  the  progress  of  plans  was  watched  with  anxiety.  When 
the  time  came  to  aid  by  subscribing  stock,  the  people  contributed  to  the  point 
of  sacrifice.  When  the  first  trains  finally  puffed  into  Freeport,  it  seemed  that 
the  day  was  not  far  distant  when  West  Point  Township  would  have  both  mar- 
kets and  transportation.  During  1854,  the  road  was  completed  through  the 
township  and  on  to  Warren.  There  was  almost  immediately  a  twenty-five  cent 
advance  in  the  price  of  farm  lands  due,  in  part,  to  the  large  numbers  of  new 
settlers. 

In  1854,  at  the  instigation  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company,  Sam- 
uel F.  Dodds  laid  off  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  for  a  village  site  and  named 
the  station  Lena.  The  location  proved  to  be  a  good  one,  for  here  grew  up 
the  largest  town  in  the  county  with  the  exception  of  Freeport. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  357 

West  Point  Township  did  its  part  nobly  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion. 
Every  demand  of  the  government  was  promptly  filled.  Her  volunteers  were 
to  be  found  in  the  Eleventh,  Fifteenth,  Forty-fifth,  Forty-sixth,  and  Ninety- 
second  Infantry  and  in  the  Fourteenth  Cavalry. 

In  1836  a  Methodist  class  meeting  was  organized  as  the  result  of  preach- 
ing by  Rev.  James  McKean,  the  previous  year  in  Luman  Montague's  cabin. 
A  Presybterian  class  was  organized  in  1840  by  Rev.  Arastus  Kent,  who  was 
practicing  in  Galena  and  Dubuque.  Sabbath  school  began  the  same  year  in 
J.  D.  Fowler's  cabin  and  a  log  schoolhouse  was  erected  on  Luman  Montague's 
farm. 

Amanda  Waddams,  born  in  1836,  was,  no  doubt,  the  first  white  child  born 
in  the  county.  Eunice  Waddams  and  George  Place  were  married  in  1837, 
July  4,  this  being,  it  is  claimed,  the  first  marriage  in  the  county.  The  first 
burial  in  the  old  cemetery  was  that  of  Minerva  Rathburn,  about  1839. 

LENA. 

THE  LENA   STAR. 

The  Lena  Star  was  founded  in  1866.  In  that  year,  John  W.  Gishwiller, 
a  photographer  of  Lena,  and  Samuel  J.  Dodds,  postmaster,  formed  a  partner- 
ship to  secure  material  to  start  a  newspaper  and  job  office.  They  expended 
about  one  thousand  four  hundred  dollars  for  a  Washington  Hand  Press  and 
other  necessary  equipment.  The  firm  secured  the  services  of  John  M.  Shan- 
non, who  was  then  in  Lena  on  a  visit  to  his  brother,  the  station  agent.  They 
also  secured  Robert  Shannon  of  Chicago,  then  one  of  the  fastest  typists  of 
the  west,  and  Captain  S.  C.  Harris,  another  printer.  The  complement  of  men 
was  completed  by  Charles  Weaver,  the  printer's  "Devil."  After  considerable 
work  by  the  "Devil"  and  others  in  blacking  the  faces  of  the  new  type,  the 
first  paper  of  Vol.  I,  No.  i,  of  the  Lena  Star  went  to  press.  S.  J.  Dodds  was 
editor. 

March  21,  1867,  Mr.  Dodds  withdrew  from  the  firm.  May  3,  same  year, 
Mr.  John  M.  Shannon  secured  control  of  the  paper.  February  12,  1869,  Mr. 
James  S.  McCall,  of  Freeport,  Illinois,  purchased  the  Star  outfit  and  secured 
James  W.  Newcomer,  of  Freeport,  as  manager  and  editor.  1878,  April  5,  W. 
W.  Lowis  purchased  the  paper. 

1892,  A.  O.  Rupp  bought  the  plant.  1893,  Juty  24>  Irving  S.  Crotzer,  one 
of  the  "Devils"  who  had  risen  to  be  foreman,  bought  the  plant.  In  1900,  T. 
Francis  Gaffney,  one  of  the  Star's  "Devils,"  assisted  a  stock  company  in  start- 
ing a  newspaper  and  a  job  office.  It  was  called  the  "Lena  Independent,"  and 
Gaffney  became  manager  and  editor. 

December  21,  1902,  Miss  Rosalie  Taylor,  of  Lena,  was  employed  as  manager 
and  editor.  She  was  assisted  by  Charles  Weaver,  who  had  just  returned  from 
a  twenty  years'  sojourn  at  Fort  Scott,  Kansas.  Miss  Taylor  and  Weaver 
conducted  the  paper  till  the  equipment  was  bought  by  Charles  O.  Piper,  De- 
cember 17,  1903.  It  was  evident  that  one  good  newspaper  would  satisfy  the 
crying  demands  for  a  weekly  paper  at  Lena,  and  March  24,  1905,  Mr.  Piper 
bought  the  old  Star  office  and  moved  the  "Independent"  plant  to  the  Star  office, 
thus  combining  the  two  in  the  name  of  the  Lena  Star  Printing  Company. 


358  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

August  27,  1908,  Professor  Howard  C.  Auman  purchased  the  Star  and  di- 
rected its  destiny  till  October,  1909,  when  the  Star  passed  into  the  hands  of 
the  present  proprietor,  D.  W.  Gahagan.  Mr.  Gahagan  is  a  newspaper  man  of 
experience,  having  been  in  that  business  seven  years  at  Seneca,  Newton  County, 
Missouri.  Miss  Rosalie  Taylor  is  again  employed  on  the  Star  as  local  editor. 
The  Star  is  now  a  four-page,  six  column  paper,  typographically  a  model  of 
excellence,  full  of  news  and  advertising.  Almost  a  complete  file,  both  of  the 
Star  and  the  Independent,  are  kept  in  the  Star  office. 

This  account  is  taken  from  the  Lena  Star,  October  14,  1909:  Mr.  Gahagan 
is  putting  out  an  excellent  paper,  which  in  general  appearance  is  a  credit  to 
Lena  and  the  community.  The  large  number  of  space  ads  shows  that  the  ser- 
vices of  the 'Star  as  an  advertising  medium  are  highly  appreciated  by  the  busi- 
ness interests  of  the  county. 

LENA     BANKS. 

The  Lena  Bank  is  a  private  bank,  the  firm  being  George  L.  Baldwin  &  Com- 
pany. The  officials  are:  President,  F.  A.  Latham;  vice  president,  Peter  Seise; 
cashier,  George  L.  Baldwin.  The  bank  was  organized  in  1867  by  S.  Rising, 
under  the  name  of  Rising,  Smith  &  Company,  and  in  1870  changed  to  Foil, 
Corning  &  Company.  In  February  1878  the  firm  name  again  became  S.  Rising 
&  Company.  Later,  the  firm  became  Foil,  Narramore  &  Company,  and  in 
1906,  became  George  L.  Baldwin  &  Company. 

The  Citizens  Bank  of  Lena  was  organized  in  1880  by  Andrew  Hinds  and 
George  L.  Stevens.  Later,  the  firm  name  was  Charles  Waite  &  Company. 
The  present  officers  of  the  Citizens  Bank  are:  President,  Anthony  Doll;  vice 
president,  Charles  Leseman;  cashier,  J.  C.  Dunn.  The  directors  are  the  above 
officials,  and  George  Shick,  A.  J.  Clarity  and  J.  D.  Hinds. 

Both  banks  do  an  extensive  business  in  Stephenson  and  Jo  Daviess  Coun- 
ties and  are  sound  and  reliable  institutions.  The  Lena  Bank  steered  safely 
through  the  panic  of  1873  and  both  banks  have  weathered  the  panics  of  1893 
and  1907  in  a  way  that  proves  the  stability  of  their  organizations. 

Joseph  Lampbert  is  president  of  the  town  board,  and  Captain  J.  M.  Scher- 
merhorn,  eighty-two  years  of  age,  is  town  clerk.  The  following  are  members 
of  the  board :  J.  D.  Hinds,  William  Boeke,  Jacob  Lutz,  George  Boeke,  Charles 
Berhenke,  and  H.  R.  Nelson.  George  Sloatman  is  City  Marshal. 

The  ladies  of  the  G.  A.  R.  have  an  excellent  organization  of  which  the 
following  are  officials :  President,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Crotzer ;  vice  presidents,  Mrs. 
Fred  Harris  and  Mrs.  Anna  Kostenbader ;  chaplain,  Mrs.  Kramer. 

The  Lena  schools  are  now  under  the  efficient  management  of  Professor  L. 
M.  Carpenter.  The  High  school  with  Miss  Wilson  as  assistant,  maintains  a 
good  reputation,  and  is  accredited  by  the  University  of  Illinois.  The  first  school 
was  in  the  log  house  on  Samuel  F.  Dodd's  farm.  In  1850  a  log  schoolhouse  was 
built  on  Franklin  street  and  served  till  1854  when  the  old  stone  schoolhouse 
was  built  at  the  corner  of  Franklin  and  Lena  streets.  A  two-story  stone  building- 
was  built  in  1859.  The  two  districts  were  combined  in  1866  and  in  1868  a  large 
adequate  school  building  was  erected.  The  board  of  school  directors  is  made 


LEXA.    ILLINOIS,    IX    1SC4 


LIBRARY 
OF  THE 

Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  359 

up  of  the  following  officers  and  members:  President,  Frank  M.  Halliday; 
clerk,  George  Baldwin;  Dr.  Stiver,  Lewis  Heidenreich,  J.  C.  Lampbert  and  R. 
M.  White,  members. 

LENA  SCHOOLS IQIO. 

The  complete  roster  of  teachers  for  the  Lena  schools  for  the  coming  year 
is  as  follows:  Principal  of  High  school,  L.  M.  Carpenter;  assistants  in  High 
school,  Miss  Sue  E.  Wilson  and  Miss  Vera  Trump;  grammar  department,  Miss 
Lydia  Vautsmeier;  second  intermediate,  Miss  Luella  Buss;  first  intermediate, 
Miss  Mary  Perkins ;  primary,  Miss  Selina  Rutter. 

THE  G.   A.    R. WILLIAM   R.    GODDARD   POST. 

The  William  R.  Goddard  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Lena,  has  always  been  an 
active  and  enthusiastic  organization  of  the  Civil  War  Veterans.  The  Post  took 
its  name  from  William  R.  Goddard,  a  citizen  of  Lena  who  served  in  the  Mexican 
war,  and  who,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  again  entered  the  services  of 
his  country.  As  a  soldier  and  a  commander,  he  won  distinction  on  the  battle- 
field and  won  rapid  promotion  till  he  became  Major  of  the  Fourteenth  Illinois. 
Major  Goddard  fell  while  leading  his  men  at  the  Battle  of  Shiloh. 

The  first  commander  of  the  Post  was  General  Charles  Waite. 

BENJAMIN    R.    GODDARD    POST. 

At  one  time  the  Benjamin  R.  Goddard  Post  of  Lena  numbered  about  one 
hundred  members.  Some  have  moved  to  other  parts  of  the  county,  but  most 
of  them  have  honored  graves  in  the  Lena  Cemetery.  The  Post  has  not  been 
less  faithful  as  its  membership  has  declined.  The  Post  had  charge  of  the  dedica- 
tion of  the  Black  Hawk  War  Monument  at  Kellog's  Grove  and  each  year  con- 
ducts the  Memorial  Day  services.  Another  patriotic  and  fraternal  duty,  that 
of  conducting  the  burial  services  of  the  old  soldiers  who  pass  from  this  life,  is 
faithfully  performed.  At  the  present  time  the  Post  has  the  following  members: 

OFFICIAL. 

Commander  of  the  Post — C.  F.  Houser,  Co.  G,  Ninety-second  111. 

Senior  Vice  Commander — John  Reeder,  Fifteenth  111. 

Junior  Vice  Commander — E.  Kahel,  Ninety-third  111. 

Quartermaster — A.  S.  Crotzer,  Ninety-second  111. 

Chaplain — W.  H.  Crotzer,  Ninety-second  111. 

Officer  of  the  Day — George  Shoesmith,  One  hundred  and  Forty-sixth  111. 

Officer  of  the  Guards — Chas.  Gassman,  Co.  A,  Ninety-second  111. 

WADDAMS  GROVE. 

Waddams  Grove  is  a  small  village,  having  a  store,  a  postoffice,  a  creamery, 
an  elevator,  the  Illinois  Central  Station  and  a  few  dwellings.  The  school  is 
located  a  mile  or  more  beyond  the  village.  The  venerable  J.  H.  Osborne,  who 


360  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

built  the  first  store  in  Waddams,  is  now  postmaster,  a  position  he  has  held  for 
39  years.  The  elevator  is  run  by  L.  F.  Keeley.  The  feature  of  the  village  is 
the  beautiful  park  maintained  by  Mr.  George  Schultz.  The  owner  is  a  student 
of  science  and  takes  a  special  interest  in  flowers.  The  park  is  one  of  the 
prettiest  places  in  the  county. 

LOUISA. 

A  pretty  little  cross  roads  settlement  on  the  road  from  Lena  to  Waddams 
Grove  is  Louisa.  It  lies  where  the  Galena  Road  intersects  a  cross  roads,  and 
contains  a  church,  cemetery,  school,  and  a  group  of  houses.  There  is  no  gen- 
eral store  nor  is  there  any  need  for  one,  for  the  village  is  only  about  two  miles 
northwest  of  Lena,  and  the  farmers  of  Louisa  are  accustomed  to  do  their  trading 
at  the  larger  town.  The  .settlement  is  of  recent  origin,  and  hardly  promises  to 
become  a  village  of  any  great  importance.  It  deserves  mention  however  as 
one  of  the  rural  communities  so  numerous  in  Stephenson  County,  along  with 
Waddams  Center,  Afolkey,  Legal,  and  others  of  equal  unimportance. 

KENT  TOWNSHIP. 

Kent  Township,  located  in  the  western  tier  of  townships  of  Stephenson 
County,  contains  thirty-six  square  miles,  or  a  total  of  about  22,700  acres,  nearly 
all  of  which  is  under  cultivation.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  West  Point 
Township,  on  the  east  by  Erin,  on  the  south  by  Jefferson  and  Loran,  and  on  the 
west  by  Jo  Daviess  County. 

It  was  settled  very  early  in  the  history  of  the  county,  at  least  six  year  be- 
fore most  of  the  county  was  settled  up.  The  first  settlement  was  made  in  1827 
by  O.  W.  Kellogg,  a  now  famous  pioneer,  who  staked  out  his  claim  in  the 
virgin  forest  at  Burrows'  Grove.  He  cleared  away  the  timber,  built  for  himself 
and  his  wife  and  children  a  log  shanty,  and  re-named  the  stretch  of  timber- 
and  Kellogg's  Grove.  It  has  since  been  rechristened  Timms'  Grove,  and  stands 
near  the  site  of  the  Black  Hawk  monument. 

But  about  the  time  of  Kellogg's  settlement,  the  Black  Hawk  War  occurred, 
and  the  Kellogg  family,  after  enduring  the  throes  of  the  combat  successfully, 
packed  up  their  effects,  and  departed  for  other  parts.  For  eight  years,  no 
permanent  settler  ventured  into  Kent  Township.  Then,  in  1835,  a  man  named 
Green,  who  hailed  from  Galena,  came  to  settle,  and  he  obtained  possession  of 
the  Kellogg  cabin.  Not  satisfied  with  the  aspect  of  the  country,  he  remained 
only  a  short  time  and  disposed  of  his  real  estate  to  James  Timms,  who  became 
the  first  permanent  white  settler  in  Kent  Township,  and  one  of  the  first  of 
the  whole  county. 

In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  Jesse  Willet  made  his  appearance  settling  near 
the  bridge  afterward  known  as  Willet's  Bridge,  near  to  the  Timms  settlement. 
About  the  same  time  Calvin  Giddings  and  Jabez  Giddings  came  and  settled  on 
the  banks  of  Yellow  Creek  four  miles  north  of  the  Timms  cabin.  For  a  long 
time  after  these  migrations  no  new  settlers  ventured  into  the  district,  and  Timms 
and  his  neighbors  remained  in  sole  possession.  In  the  fall  of  1836,  Gilbert 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  361 

Osborn  came,  and  then  again  intervened  a  time  of  inaction,  when  no  new  set- 
tlers came  to  take  up  their  new  homes  in  the  wilderness.  For  three  years  this 
condition  of  affairs  prevailed.  In  1839,  J.  Reber  settled  a  mile  and  a  half  north- 
west of  Timms'  Grove,  and  in  1840  Frank  Maginnis  erected  a  cabin.  Ben- 
jamin lllingsworth  came  the  same  year  and  settled  near  the  Timms  home- 
stead, remaining  with  the  Timms  family  until  he  could  get  his  house  into  shape 
such  that  it  should  protect  him  from  the  force  of  wind  and  tempest. 

With  1840  the  township  became  more  populated.  In  1837  the  first  marriage 
took  place.  James  Blair  and  Kate  Marsh  were  united  in  holy  bonds  of  matrimony 
at  the  house  of  James  Timms.  The  old  records  do  not  state  who  performed 
the  ceremony.  The  first  birth  was  Harvey  M.  Timms,  son  of  James  Timms  and 
wife,  who  was  born  May  26,  1837,  and  resided  in  this  county  all  his  life.  The 
first  death  took  place  in  the  same  memorable  year.  The  unfortunate  was  Jesse 
Willet,  Jr.,  who  was  buried  in  the  old  "Willet  burying-ground"  near  the  preesnt 
site  of  the  Dunkard  church.  The  first  school  was  opened  in  1837  by  one  William 
Ensign,  who  instructed  the  young  idea  in  the  house  of  James  Timms,  mag- 
nanimously loaned  for  the  purpose.  Among  the  families  represented  in  his 
school  were  the  Timms,  Maginnis,  Giddings,  and  Willets. 

About  1838  a  mill  was  built  on  Yellow  Creek  by  John  and  Frederick  Reber. 
Its  site  was  near  the  center  of  the  township,  and  it  was  well  patronized  by 
the  farmers  round  about.  The  coming  of  the  mill  was  a  great  boon  to  the 
pioneers.  Before  its  advent  they  had  been  obliged  to  have  their  grinding  done 
at  Craig's  Mill,  at  Apple  River,  and  at  other  places  of  uncomfortable  and  in- 
convenient distance.  Still  the  question  of  supplies  was  a  troublesome  one. 
Meat  and  game  were  procurable,  but  many  supplies  had  to  be  obtained  from 
Galena  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  from  Dixon,  in  Lee  County,  and  other  points 
at  a  considerable  distance.  The  new  mill  thus  furnished  an  inducement  for 
emigrants  to  settle  in  the  Kent  district,  and  they  came,  forthwith,  in  large 
numbers. 

By  1840  the  tide  of  immigration  was  well  begun,  and  in  1844,  four  years 
later,  the  land  of  Kent  Township,  was  sold  at  a  public  sale  in  Dixon.  This 
proceeding  caused  no  end  of  trouble,  for  there  were  conflicts  of  title  between 
the  old  settlers  and  the  new  purchasers,  and  in  some  cases  the  quarrels  were 
violent  and  of  long  duration.  In  time  they  were  settled,  but  for  many  years 
there  was  more  or  less  feeling  harbored  by  certain  of  the  settlers  against  one 
another. 

Kent  Township  was  only  opened  up  to  the  commercial  world  when  the 
Chicago  and  Great  Western  Railroad  chose  to  lay  their  tracks  across  the  south- 
western corner  of  the  section.  This  brought  an  influx  of  speculators  and 
purchasers,  and  the  railroad  company  established  a  station,  thereby  founding 
the  village  of  Kent.  The  village  has  never  grown  to  surpassing  dimensions, 
principally  because  the  railroad  which  performs  its  service  connects  with  the 
county  seat  only  indirectly.  It  remains,  however,  a  pleasant  and  habitable  lit- 
tle settlement,  with  an  enterprising  and  energetic  population. 

The  water  supply  of  Kent  Township  is  good.    Yellow  Creek,  entering  from 

Jo  Daviess  County,  flows  east  and  south  through  the  whole  central  part  of  the 

township.     Its  tributaries  are  few,  but  sufficient  to  cover  the  surface  of  Kent 


362  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

with  a  network  of  rills  and  brooklets,  and  prevent  a  dearth  of  the  desirable 
moisture.  The  land  is  mostly  prairie  with  a  few  large  groves  still  standing. 
In  general  there  is  very  little  to  differentiate  Kent  Township  from  the  ordinary 
middle  west  rich  farming  lands.  It  is  a  square  of  highly  desirable  land,  in- 
habited by  a  rich  and  prosperous  class  of  scientific  farmers  whose  premises 
present  as  attractive  and  orderly  appearance  as  one  could  wish  to  see. 

KENT. 

When  the  Chicago  Great  Western  Railroad  laid  its  tracks  through  Stephen- 
son  County  in  1887,  the  village  of  Kent  was  surveyed  and  platted,  and  lots  were 
sold.  As  it  was  the  only  village  in  the  township,  a  phenomenal  growth  was 
anticipated — a  growth  which,  unfortunately,  has  never  been  realized.  The  vil- 
lage is  located  in  the  southwestern  corner  of  the  township,  near  the  county  line. 
It  contains  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants  and  supports  several  stores, 
two  churches,  and  a  creamery.  Owing  to  the  proximity  of  Kent  to  Pearl  City, 
the  people  of  Kent  for  the  most  part  attend  lodge  in  that  village. 

Lutheran  Church.  The  Lutheran  church  of  Kent  was  built  about  1880. 
It  is  on  the  same  circuit  with  the  Pearl  City  church,  and  is  officiated  over  by 
the  Rev.  Alex  MacLaughlin,  who  lives  at  the  larger  village.  The  Kent  Lutheran 
church  is  an  unusually  well  built  and  well  equipped  church,  and  is  valued  at 
about  $3,000.  The  membership  is  quoted  as  sixty,  with  a  Sunday  school  of 
practically  the  same  proportions.  Morning  services  are  held  every  two  weeks 
at  the  Kent  church,  with  evening  services  on  the  alternate  Sunday. 

M.  E.  Church.  The  early  history  of  the  Methodist  church  is  completely 
lost.  It  is  not  a  very  old  organization,  having  been  founded  not  more  than 
twenty  years  ago,  about  the  time  of  the  platting  of  the  village  itself.  The  Kent 
church  is  in  the  same  charge  with  two  other  rural  churches,  all  three  of  them 
being  officiated  over  by  Rev.  Armitage.  The  parsonage  of  the  pastor  is  located 
in  the  village  of  Kent,  and  the  building  is  valued  at  $1,200.  The  Kent  church 
is  valued  at  $2,500.  The  circuit,  which  is  a  student  charge,  has  an  aggregate 
membership  of  ninety-seven  souls,  about  forty  of  whom  are  connected  with 
the  Kent  church. 

Kent  Observer.  The  Kent  Observer,  a  weekly  newspaper,  printed  at  Pearl 
City  on  Thursdays,  is  the  official  organ  of  the  villagers  at  Kent.  It  forms  a 
part  of  the  sheet  published  by  the  Pearl  City  News,  and  comprises  half  of  the 
edition  of  that  paper,  or  space  equivalent  to  a  seven  column  quarto.  While 
the  paper  is  issued  at  Pearl  City,  it  is  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  people  at 
Kent,  and  contains  news  items,  and  other  material  of  interest  to  the  people  of 
the  town.  The  Observer  was  originated  by  Mr.  Freas,  a  former  editor  of  the 
Pearl  City  News,  and  has  since  appeared  with  unfailing  regularity  on  Thursday 
of  every  week.  The  paper  is  a  great  boon  to  Kent  people  and  is  widely 
patronized  both  in  the  village  itself  and  in  the  surrounding  rural  districts.  Dr. 
M.  W.  Hooker  is  editor. 

Kent  contains  a  creamery,  operated  by  a  farmers'  stock  company,  and  a 
grain  elevator.  The  business  section  of  the  town  is  very  lively  for  a  place  of 
the  size,  and  the  stores  do  considerable  business  with  the  farmers  of  the  vicinity. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  363 

The  population  of  the  village  was  listed  at  about  one  hundred  inhabitants  at  the 
taking  of  the  last  census.  There  has  been  considerable  increase  since  1900,  and 
the  next  census  will  probably  bring  the  mark  up  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  or 
more. 

DAKOTA  TOWNSHIP. 


Dakota  Township  is  the  smallest  in  the  county,  comprising,  like  the  town- 
ships of  Erin  and  Jefferson,  an  area  of  only  eighteen  square  miles.  However, 
in  that  limited  space,  the  township  includes  some  of  the  best  farming  land  in 
the  county,  some  of  the  thriftiest  and  most  prosperous  appearing  farm  houses, 
and,  withal,  some  of  the  prettiest  and  most  picturesque  stretches  of  landscape 
that  the  county  can  boast  of.  x 

There  is  no  large  stream.  Cedar  Creek,  which  has  its  source  in  Rock 
Grove  Township,  just  across  the  town  line,  flows  through  the  whole  length  of 
Dakota  Township,  from  north  to  south,  being  fed  on  its  way  by  a  multitude  of 
small  rills  and  brooklets,  most  of  them  dry  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year, 
which  flow  down  from  the  springs  on  the  hillsides  to  join  the  larger  current. 

One  railroad  enters  the  township,  the  C.,  M.  &  St.  P.  R.  R.,  which  cuts 
across  the  southeastern  corner  of  the  oblong,  and  touches  Dakota  village,  the 
only  village  of  Dakota  Township. 

The  early  history  of  Dakota  Township  is  closely  identified  with  that  of  its 
western  neighbor,  Buckeye  Township,  of  which  it  was  formerly  a  part.  In 
1860,  the  division  was  made,  and  the  eleven  thousand,  three  hundred  and  sev- 
enty-eight acres  of  Dakota  were  set  aside  as  they  are  today.  Various  causes 
have  been  assigned  to  account  for  the  break.  The  probable  and  generally  ac- 
cepted reason  is  that  the  continued  petitions  and  complaints  of  a  company  of 
farmers  living  near  the  present  site  of  Dakota,  finally  secured  the  desired  di- 
vision. These  gentlemen  were  all  good  citizens  and  desirous  of  exercising  their 
right  of  franchise,  but  when  a  trip  to  the  polling  place  entailed  a  drive  across 
country  of  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  of  bad  road,  they  were  put  to  great  incon- 
venience. The  polling  place  was  then  located  at  the  old  red  schoolhouse  near 
the  present  village  of  Buena  Vista.  It  seems  now  that  a  more  illogical  and 
less  central  position  could  hardly  have  been  selected,  for  not  only  were  the 
farmers  in  the  eastern  part  of  Buckeye  township  quite  isolated  from  the  politics 
of  the  section,  but  the  village  of  Cedarville  and  the  settlement  which  marked 
the  site  of  the  future  village  of  Dakota  were  altogether  out  of  range.  The 
town  house  of  Buckeye  has  since  been  moved  east  and  south  to  a  more  central 
location  at  Buckeye  Center,  but  all  this  occurred  later.  At  the  time  of  which 
we  have  been  speaking,  Silas  Yount,  Robinson  Baird,  B.  Dornblazer,  and  a  few 
others  carried  on  their  campaign  for  a  separate  township  throughout  ten  years 
of  strenuous  endeavor.  In  1860  they  were  rewarded  with  success,  and  in  Sep- 
tember of  that  year,  the  present  township  of  Dakota  was  established. 

As  the  early  history  of  Dakota  is  altogether  coincident  with  that  of  Buck- 
eye, it  has  been  treated  elsewhere  under  that  head.  The  first  settlements  in 
Dakota  came  about  the  year  1836.  Among  the  early  settlers  of  the  portion  of 
Buckeye  which  subsequently  became  Dakota  were  Benson  McElhiney,  who  set- 


364  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

tied  near  Hickory  Grove,  Henry  Bordner,  Jacob  Bordner,  John  Brown,  Robin 
McGee,  James  McKee,  Samuel  Templeton,  John  Price,  Peter  Fair,  Daniel  Zim- 
merman, Robert  Pierce,  John  B.  Angle,  and  others.  Some  of  them,  the  great 
majority,  established  themselves  along  the  banks  of  Cedar  Creek,  others  ven- 
tured farther  out  into  the  township,  and  took  up  claims  in  the  northern  and 
eastern  sections.  In  1857,  the  Western  Union  Railroad  came  through  the  town- 
ship, and  with  this  advent  the  early  history  of  Dakota  is  closed. 

DAKOTA. 

Dakota,  or  Dakotah,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  was  founded  in  1857,  when 
the  Western  Union  Railroad,  now  the  C.,  M.  &  St.  P.  R.  R.  first  laid  its  rails 
through  Stephenson  county.  When  the  railroad  decided  to  touch  the  southern 
portion  of  Dakota  Township,  several  of  the  public  spirited  farmers  decided  to 
try  to  found  a  village  in  the  southeastern  corner,  and  obtain  a  post  office  there. 
The  land  on  which  Dakota  village  was  built  was  then  owned  by  Robinson 
Baird  and  Ludwig  Stanton.  Mr.  Baird  sold  out  his  claim  to  Thomas  J.  Turner, 
who,  in  turn,  disposed  of  his  interest  to  S.  J.  Davis.  To  Messrs.  Davis  and 
Stanton  belongs  the  credit  of  laying  out  and  platting  the  village  of  Dakota. 
One  hundred  acres  were  appropriated  for  the  town,  and  three  farm  houses 
were  located  at  different  points  on  the  stretch  when  the  platting  was  completed. 
These  three  houses  were  the  only  visible  signs  of  life  in  the  village,  for  the  post- 
office  had  not  yet  come.  The  railroad  company  built  their  station,  which  they 
chose  to  mis-call  "Dakotah"  and  "Dakotah"  it  has  ever  since  remained.  When 
the  C.,  M.  &  St.  P.  R.  R.  came  into  possession  of  the  Western  Union  lines,  the 
title  was  not  changed,  although  the  post-office  has  always  been  "Dakota." 

The  growth  of  the  village  during  the  earlier  years  of  its  existence  was  slow 
and  unpromising.  Soon  after  the  coming  of  the  railroad,  a  petition  was  pre- 
sented to  the  post-office  department  to  locate  a  post-office  at  Dakota.  Robinson 
Baird  and  Benjamin  Dornblazer  were  the  men  instrumental  in  securing  this 
improvement.  Their  petition  was  immediately  granted  and  the  present  name 
of  "Dakota"  affixed  to  the  settlement.  The  village  did  not  appear  promising, 
and  very  little  inducements  were  offered  to  the  prospective  settler,  until  Ben- 
jamin Dornblazer  built  his  mansion,  the  first  substantial  house  of  the  village. 
In  the  next  year,  which  was  1859,  Messrs.  Dornblazer  and  Brown  built  the 
first  warehouse  located  in  the  village.  Others  were  subsequently  erected  by 
Fisher  and  Schmeltzer,  and  one  was  moved  into  the  village  already  built  and 
needing  only  the  foundations  to  complete  it.  By  1860  the  village  contained 
seven  dwellings  and  three  stores,  the  houses  being  owned  by  Benjamin  Dorn- 
blazer, Samuel  Lapp,  D.  W.  C.  Holsapple,  Abner  Hall,  Robinson  Baird,  Daniel 
Keck,  and  Mrs.  Dawson.  The  three  stores  were  a  blacksmith  shop,  conducted 
by  Mr.  Holsapple,  a  cabinet  shop  owned  by  one  Robert  Neil,  and  the  general 
store  of  the  village,  the  proprietor  of  which  was  Daniel  Keck. 

1860  was  the  golden  year  of  Dakota's  history.  In  that  year  a  large  number 
of  new  buildings  were  erected :  Fisher  and  Schmeltzer's  warehouse,  the  third 
which  had  been  raised  in  the  history  of  the  village,  the  new  Methodist  church, 
the  village  hotel,  after  occupied  by  John  Brown  as  a  residence.  Two  new  houses 


PEARL  CITY   STREET  SCENE 


PUBLIC1  SCHOOL.  DAVIS 


MAIN   STREET,   DAKOTA 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  365 

were  built  and  used  as  residences  by  one  George  Muffley  and  Mrs.  Ingraham. 
Soon  after  Charles  Muffley  came  to  settle  in  Dakota,  and  opened  the  first  tap- 
room of  the  village,  which  he  ran  in  connection  with  a  carpenter  shop.  The 
venture  did  not  seem  to  prosper,  for  Mr.  Muffley  abandoned  it  and  enlisted  as 
a  volunteer  at  the  time  of  the  war,  and  is  reported  as  never  having  returned 
from  the  combat. 

The  Civil  War  suddenly  thwarted  the  growth  of  the  village  and  everything 
was  at  a  standstill  for  a  number  of  years.  Nothing  in  the  way  of  progress  was 
accomplished  for  four  years,  and  then  the  town  took  a  new  start  and  erected 
four  new  residences.  Then  began  Dakota's  one  and  only  "boom."  Between 
1866  and  1870  the  main  part  of  the  village  was  built  and  only  a  limited  number 
of  additions  have  been  made  since  that  time.  In  1869  the  settlement  was  in- 
corporated as  a  village,  by  a  special  act  of  the  Legislature,  approved  during  the 
session  of  1869,  and  the  first  election  under  the  provisions  thereof  was  held  on 
Monday,  April  5,  of  the  same  year.  Silas  Yount,  W.  R.  Auman,  and  J.  D 
Bennehoff  acted  as  judges  and  F.  B.  Walker  and  A.  T.  Milliken  as  clerks.  The. 
The  following  officers  were  elected  at  the  first  town  election: 

Peter  Yoder,  president;  John  Brown,  W.  R.  Auman,  George  Lambert,  and 
R.  M.  Milliken,  members  of  the  board. 

From  1869  to  1873,  the  town  grew  amazingly — the  "boom"  had  not  yet  sub- 
sided. Then  came  a  frost — a  killing  frost — in  the  shape  of  the  panic  of  1873, 
which  withered  up  all  trade,  advancement  and  improvement.  Everything  was  at 
a  standstill,  and  Dakota's  "boom"  was  over.  The  financial  stringency  which 
affected  the  whole  country  so  disastrously  was  felt  for  five  years,  and  Dakota 
never  fully  recovered  from  the  effects.  No  market  could  be  found  for  the 
crops,  and  the  resources  of  the  surrounding  country,  abundant  though  they  were, 
were  valueless  for  they  could  not  be  disposed  of.  When  the  panic  loosed  its 
clutch,  the  prospects  for  the  growth  of  Dakota  as  a  financial  center,  however 
vague  they  might  have  been,  were  effectually  crushed. 

Within  the  years  of  recovering  from  war  and  panic,  Dakota  began  to  gradu- 
ally settle  down  into  the  customary  type  of  country  village  which  is  familiar 
to  everyone.  There  has  never  been  anything  in  the  least  "dead"  about  Dakota. 
Business  has  never  for  a  moment  stagnated,  but,  on  the  contrary,  has  kept  up 
a  gratifying  and  prosperous  increase,  quite  different  from  most  of  the  villages 
of  Stephenson  and  surrounding  counties.  But  the  history  of  the  village  has 
been  a  disappointment  for  it  has  never  grown  to  the  proportions  fondly  planned 
for  it  by  its  early  founders.  The  population  at  present  numbers  about  five 
hundred  inhabitants.  There  are  several  stores,  a  large  grain  elevator  owned  by 
the  H.  A.  Hillmer  Company  of  Freeport,  a  high  school  known  as  the  Dakota 
Interior  Academy  of  northern  Illinois,  three  churches,  and  a  number  of  lodges 
and  fraternal  organizations. 

Interior  Academy.  The  Interior  Academy  of  Northern  Illinois,  formerly 
known  as  the  Northern  Illinois  College,  was  founded  in  Dakota  in  1881,  under 
the  leadership  of  the  Rev.  Frank  C.  Wetzel,  pastor  of  the  Reformed  church  of 
Dakota.  Rev.  Wetzel  conducted  the  work  for  six  years  and  then  left  it  to 
devote  his  entire  time  to  the  ministry.  The  academy  has  since  been  presided 


366  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

over  by  Professor  W.  W.  Chandler,  Rev.  H.  L.  Beam,  Rev.  H.  C.  Blosser,  Rev. 
H.  L.  Beam,  Rev.  P.  C.  Beyers,  Rev.  C.  K.  Staudt,  Professor  Nevin  Wilson, 
Rev.  W.  D.  Marburger,  now  of  Orangeville,  and  Rev.  G.  W.  Kerstetter,  the 
present  incumbent. 

The  academy,  though  small,  is  really  an  institution  of  unusual  excellence 
for  so  small  a  settlement,  and  many  of  its  graduates  have  made  names  for  them- 
selves. The  list  of  alumni,  published  annually,  show  a  large  number  of  busi- 
ness men  in  Freeport  and  Chicago,  and  a  number  of  boys  and  girls  at  college. 
The  course  of  the  school  is  remarkably  complete,  the  musical  department  be- 
ing especially  noteworthy.  Seven  instructors  are  employed  on  the  faculty,  the 
present  roll  being:  Dean,  Rev.  G.  W.  Kerstetter;  languages,  Miss  Alma  B.  Con- 
rad; mathematics  and  science,  Mr.  C.  M.  Finnell;  commercial  course,  Mr.  F.  L. 
Bennehoff,  Jr. ;  instrumental  music,  Mr.  Gail  P.  Echard ;  vocal  and  piano,  Miss 
Rosa  E.  Vollrath;  violin,  Mr.  Edwin  R.  Rotzler. 

Within  the  past  year  a  number  of  improvements  have  been  made  and  the 
equipment  of  the  school  has  been  materially  added  to.  The  Academy  buildings, 
which  consist  of  a  college  building  and  boys'  dormitory,  are  pleasantly  located 
in  a  four  acre  plat  of  ground,  shaded  by  a  grove  of  maple  trees.  The  original 
college  building  is  a  substantial  frame  structure,  40x70  feet,  containing  an  au- 
ditorium and  four  recitation  rooms.  The  trustees  and  faculty  aim  at  constant 
improvement  and  raising  of  the  school  standard.  A  monthly  journal,  called  the 
Interior  Standard,  is  published  by  the  faculty  and  students  in  the  interest  of 
the  school.  A  special  outfit  of  physical  apparatus  has  been  added  this  year 
enabling  the  students  to  perform  all  the  experiments  required  in  an  ordinary 
high  school  course  in  physics.  Athletics  and  all  manly  sports  are  encouraged, 
special  emphasis  is  laid  on  public  speaking  and  debate,  and  in  every  respect  the 
standard  of  the  institution  is  being  raised.  The  course  of  study  embraces  five 
years  of  work,  including  a  preparatory  year  and  four  years  of  the-  regular 
course.  Forty-one  students  were  enrolled  in  the  school  last  year,  nearly  half 
of  them  in  the  music  department. 

Lodges.  Dakota  supports  four  large  and  flourishing  fraternal  organizations, 
and  several  smaller  societies  and  lodges.  The  I.  O.  O.  F.  have  had  a  lodge  in 
Dakota  for  many  years,  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Mystic  Workers 
of  America,  and  Royal  Neighbors  have  been  established  within  the  last  twenty 
or  thirty  years. 

Dakota  Lodge,  No.  566,  I.  0.  0.  F.  The  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  was  estab- 
lished by  Deputy  Grand  Master  W.J.  Fink  on  the  22nd  of  February,  1875,  with 
eight  charter  members  and  the  following  officers:  Noble  Grand,  Ezra  Durling; 
vice  grand,  J.  W.  Gladfelter;  treasurer,  E.  Yount;  secretary,  J.  D.  Schmeltzer. 

For  a  time  after  the  founding  of  the  lodge,  meetings  were  held  in  Keek's 
Building.  In  1876,  a  separate  hall  was  built  for  the  accomodation  of  the  so- 
ciety. On  the  morning  of  October  27,  1877,  this  new  building,  which  the  lodge 
had  occupied  for  only  a  short  time,  was  totally  destroyed  by  fire,  and  everything 
except  the  lodge  books  of  the  society  were  consumed  in  the  conflagration.  The 
loss  occasioned  was  not  very  great,  amounting  to  a  pecuniary  damage  of  only 
$380,  but  the  havoc  wrought  and  the  inconvenience  occasioned  by  the  destruction 
of  paraphernalia  and  appurtenances  was  tremendous.  No  attempt  was  made 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  367 

to  rebuild  the  structure,  but  quarters  were  taken  in  Artley's  building,  and  a 
lodge  temple  was  never  again  erected. 

The  Dakota  lodge  is  in  a  prosperous  condition,  with  a  large  membership. 
The  officers  for  the  current  year  are :  Noble  Grand,  Roy  Blunt ;  secretary,  W.  C. 
Smith;  financial  secretary,  Ralph  McElhiney;  treasurer,  J.  W.  Smith. 

Golden  Rule  Camp  No.  137,  M.  W.  A.  The  camp  of  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America  was  established  in  Dakota  October,  1884,  and  is  today  in  flourish- 
ing condition.  A.  J.  Foster  is  secretary  of  the  organization. 

The  Rebekahs,  in  connection  with  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the  Royal  Neighbors,  and 
the  Mystic  Workers,  are  also  large  factors  in  the  social  life  of  the  community. 

Churches.  There  are  three  churches  in  Dakota.  There  were  formerly  four, 
but  one  of  them  has  discontinued  services. 

Methodist  Church.  The  Methodist  worshipers  of  Dakota  began  to  meet  and 
hold  services  very  soon  after  the  village  was  founded,  but  no  congregation 
was  formally  organized  until  the  summer  of  1860.  At  that  time  plans  were 
made  for  the  building  of  a  church  edifice,  which  was  thereupon  begun  and  duly 
finished  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year.  The  original  cost  of  the  building,  which  is 
a  frame  structure,  49x36,  was  $2,000,  but  that  amount  was  increased  by  vari- 
ous improvements  and  additions  which  were  subsequently  made.  In  1878,  a 
steeple  was  added,  and  a  number  of  internal  and  external  improvements  and 
changes  were  made.  This  fall  the  fiftieth  anniversary,  of  the  building  of  the 
church  will  be  observed  by  the  congregation,  and  plans  for  a  celebration  are 
being  made.  Several  years  ago  the  church  and  parsonage  were  entirely  re- 
modelled, the  latter  structure  having  been  built  in  1875. 

The  Dakota  Methodist  church  is  in  the  same  charge  with  the  Cedarville 
church,  the  Rev.  B.  C.  Holloway  officiating  as  minister  of  the  gospel  in  both 
places.  The  church  property  of  the  charge,  all  told,  is  valued  at  $8,000,  in- 
cluding a  $3,000  church  at  Dakota,  one  of  similar  value  at  Cedarville,  and  a 
$2,000  parsonage.  The  congregations  are  both  very  large,  that  at  Dakota  num- 
bering one  hundred  and  twenty-five  members,  with  a  Sunday  school  of  one 
hundred  and  fifteen,  while  the  Cedarville  church  has  a  membership  of  one  hun- 
dred and  ten,  and  a  Union  Sunday  school,  conducted  in  connection  with  the 
other  churches  of  the  village. 

Reformed  Church.  The  Reformed  church  is  of  recent  organization,  dating 
back  to  1 88 1,  when  it  was  organized  by  the  Rev.  Frank  C.  Wetzel,  as  first  pastor. 
Previous  to  last  year,  the  congregation  has  had  no  permanent  place  of  worship, 
but  held  their  services  in  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church.  Last  year,  1909, 
the  Lutheran  church  was  purchased  from  that  congregation  for  the  sum  of 
$1,500.  The  church  was  at  the  same  time  repaired  inside  and  out  at  a  cost  of 
$300. 

The  Dakota  church,  which  is  on  the  same  circuit  with  the  Rock  Grove  church, 
has  a  membership  of  forty  and  a  Sunday  school  of  forty-two,  while  the  latter 
church  has  a  membership  of  fourteen  and  a  Sunday  school  of  twenty.  The 
Interior  Academy  of  Northern  Illinois  is  conducted  by  the  pastors  of  the  Re- 
formed church,  Rev.  G.  W.  Kerstetter  being  the  present  official.  The  academy 
property,  including  the  parsonage,  which  is  used  as  a  boys'  dormitory  during 
the  school  year,  is  valued  at  $10,000. 


368  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Rock  Run  Presbyterian  Church.  The  Presbyterian  church  of  Dakota,  known 
as  the  Rock  Run  Presbyterian  church,  because  it  was  first  established  in  sec- 
tion 30  of  that  township,  was  organized  in  1855.  In  1856  the  church  edifice  in 
Rock  Run,  long  since  abandoned,  was  built.  In  1870,  when  the  "boom"  of 
Dakota  was  in  progress,  the  Rock  Run  congregation  decided  to  remove  to  Dakota, 
and  built  their  church  there  in  the  same  year.  The  church  structure,  which  is 
the  finest  in  the  village,  cost  $3,000-  is  of  frame  35x55,  with  a  steeple  eighty 
feet  in  height,  affords  a  seating  capacity  for  300  worshippers,  and  is  provided 
with  an  excellent  organ. 

The  congregation  consist  of  about  one  hundred  members,  the  Minister  at 
Cedarville  officiating  as  pastor.  The  Rev.  John  M.  Linn  was  the  first  pastor  of 
the  Dakota  church,  and  the  pulpit  has  since  been  occupied  by  a  large  number 
of  pastors,  with  their  parsonage  at  Cedarville. 

RIDOTT  TOWNSHIP. 

Ridott  Township  is  the  largest  township  of  Stephenson  County.  It  is  ob- 
long in  shape  and  contains  an  area  of  fifty-four  square  miles,  just  six  more  than 
Rock  Run,  which  is  second  in  size.  Likewise  the  township  contains  more  vil- 
lages than  any  other  in  the  county.  Several  of  these  are  no  longer  post-offices, 
since  the  coming  of  the  rural  free  delivery  system,  and  one  of  them,  Nevada, 
:s  practically  deserted,  with  nothing  except  a  group  of  houses  to  mark  the  place 
where  a  flourishing  village  once  stood. 

The  first  settlement  in  Ridott  Township  was  made  in  the  year  1836.  An- 
drew Jackson  and  Jefferson  Niles  arrived  in  this  county  on  the  4th  of  March 
of  that  year,  and  built  a  little  shanty  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Pecatonica,  near 
the  present  site  of  the  village  of  Ridott.  Just  previous  to  that  ime,  either  early 
in  1836  or  in  the  latter  part  of  1835,  Harvey  P.  Waters  and  Lyman  Bennett 
had  visited  Stephenson  County  and  pitched  camp  at  the  mouth  of  Yellow  Creek 
in  Silver  Creek  Township.  The  whole  of  the  district,  including  Silver  Creek 
and  Ridott  Township,  was  then  known  as  Silver  Creek  Precinct,  and  so  re- 
mained until  the  passage  of  the  law  providing  for  township  organization,  when 
the  two  were  divided.  Waters  remained  for  several  months  in  his  first  loca- 
tion, when  he  pulled  up  stakes  and  moved  into  Ridott,  where  he  continued  to 
live  for  many  years.  Before  going  to  Ridott,  however,  he  went  to  Kirk's  Grove, 
where  he  put  up  a  mill  known  as  Waterman's  Still.  Then,  about  March,  1836, 
he  came  to  Ridott.  In  the  same  spring,  a  large  number  of  new  settlers  came, 
among  them  Sawyer  Forbes ;  Daniel  Wooten,  who  settled  about  a  mile  east  of 
the  place  where  the  village  of  Ridott  stands  today;  Horace  Colburn;  a  Mr. 
Wickham,  who  entered  his  claim  where  the  village  of  Ridott  rose  later;  John 
Reed  and  his  brother,  who  took  up  claims  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Pecatonica 
near  the  paint  where  Farwell's  Bridge  spans  the  rivet;  Benjamin  and  Josiah 
Ostrander,  who  "squatted"  near  the  mouth  of  Yellow  Creek ;  David  Niles ;  Asa 
Nichols ;  and  others.  Nearly  all  of  the  pioneers  chose  to  build  their  huts  on  or 
near  the  Pecatonica.  As  they  subsequently  found  out,  the  site  was  not  as 
healthy  as  could  have  been  desired,  but,  after  all,  it  was  the  logical  place  for  a 
pioneer  to  take  up  his  claim.  The  land  was  fertile,  the  water  power  was  good, 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  369 

and  a  large  part  of  the  transportation  was  by  water.  The  rolling  prairies  away 
to  the  southward  about  the  present  village  of  German  Valley  were  just  as  fer- 
tile and  desirable  if  they  had  only  taken  the  time  to  find  out.  Later  settlers  did 
discover  the  gold  mines  which  lay  in  the  rich  loam  of  the  German  Valley  district, 
and  the  result  was  the  flourishing  colony  of  Germans  who  established  them- 
selves in  that  region. 

In  1837  a  very  large  number  of  pioneers  came  to  take  up  claims  in  Ridott, 
apparently  attracted  more  by  the  advantages  which  the  place  seemed  to  offer  than 
repelled  by  the  numerous  disadvantages  which  faced  them  at  the  outset.  A  list 
of  the  newcomers  of  that  year  cannot  be  given  with  any  attempt  at  complet- 
ness,  for  many  names  are  lost  or  forgotten.  Some  of  the  new  settlers  were 
Caleb  Tompkins,  who  settled  in  a  tract  of  timbered  land  near  the  river;  G.  A. 
Seth ;  Isaac  Farwell ;  Eldredge  Farwell,  the  two  last  named  settling  about  four 
miles  east  of  the  present  Ridott,  near  the  present  Farwell's  Bridge;  Garrett 
Lloyd;  Norman  Brace;  Levi  Brace;  Isaac  Brace;  Orsemus  Brace;  Harvey  Web- 
ster; Jeremiah  Webster;  Sybil  Ann  Price,  who  settled  about  a  mile  west  of  the 
Farwell  farm;  Stewart  Reynolds;  Sanford  Niles,  and  others. 

In  1838,  another  delegation  quite  as  large  came  to  take  up  land  in  Ridott 
Township.  Among  the  new  men  this  year  were  Lewis  Gitchell ;  David  Gitchell ; 
Philo  Hammond;  Ezekiel  Forsythe;  Jacob  Forsythe;  John  Lloyd  (a  brother 
of  Garrett  Lloyd  who  came  in  1837);  Putnam  Perley;  Ezekiel  Brown,  who 
"squatted"  on  the  river  bank,  near  Holmes  Mill ;  John  Brazee,  who  settled  west 
of  the  present  village;  Christian  Clay,  and  others. 

In  1839  Charles  Babcock  came,  and  later  George  H.  Watson,  who  drove 
before  him  a  flock  of  a  thousand  sheep,  Willia  B.  Hawkins,  Ross  Babcock,  An- 
son  Babcock,  John  Karcher,  Lewis  Woodruff,  and  others. 

After  1840  the  immigration  was  continuous,  and  the  township  became  set- 
tled up.  The  northern  part  was  settled  first,  however,  and  it  was  not  until  per- 
haps ten  years  later  that  the  original  German  Valley-ites  arrived  bag  and  bag- 
gage in  Stephenson  County.  In  1842,  on  the  28th  of  August,  the  famous  col- 
ony of  English  agriculturists,  whose  descendants  in  many  instances  still  reside 
in  Stephenson  County  in  the  vicity  of  Ridott,  came  west.  They  settled  in  the 
timber  lands  in  Ridott  Township,  near  the  river,  having  been  directed  to  that 
portion  of  the  county  by  their  scouts  who  were  sent  out  the  year  before  and 
settled  the  lands  near  the  river  as  suitable  place  for  settlements.  For  several 
years  the  Englishmen  lived  together  in  peace  and  harmony  in  the  Ridott  woods. 
Then  a  dissension  arose  for  some  unknown  reason,  and  part  of  the  colony  de- 
parted for  the  western  wild,  and  have  never  since  been  heard  of,  except  in- 
directly. Among  the  prominent  members  of  the  colony  were  Thomas  Hunt, 
with  his  wife  and  mother,  Robert  Knight,  Charles  Foulkes,  Robert  Lankford 
and  wife,  Thomas  Clay,  Henry  Layland  Knight  and  wife.  Charlotte  Hurst, 
John  Wooton,  George  Barnes,  Joseph  Gibson,  Joseph  Lester,  and  W.  R.  Fair- 
burn  and  wife. 

Between  1840  and  1850  the  lands  in  Ridott  Township  increased  greatly  in 
value,  and  as  a  result  settlers  began  to  feel  that  the  land  was  desirable.  In 
1850  the  famous  colony  of  Germans,  whose  descendants  conduct  the  business  of 
the  village  of  German  Valley,  arrived  in  these  parts.  Among  their  numbers 


370  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

were  the  familiar  names  of  Uno  Collman,  Poppa  Poppen,  Wessel  Wessels,  Jurin 
Van  Buckum,  Christian  Akermann,  Folk  Hayunga,  Yelle  Ruter,  T.  Jussen, 
John  Heeren,  Balster  Jelderks,  Fokke  Rewerts,  Michael  Van  Osterloo,  and 
others,  who  were  joined  later  by  reinforcing  colonies  from  their  particular  dis- 
tricts of  Germany. 

The  first  birth  in  Ridott  Township  occurred  in  1837,  when  Margaret 
Wooton,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Julia  Wooton,  was  introduced  to  this  plane 
of  existence.  In  1839  came  the  first  marriage.  The  happy  couple  were  A.  J. 
Niles,  and  Nancy  A.  Farwell,  daughter  of  Gustavus  A.  Farwell.  The  cere- 
mony was  performed  by  the  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner,  one  of  the  early  settlers 
of  the  county,  who,  in  his  capacity  of  justice  of  the  peace,  was  vested  with  such 
authority.  The  first  deaths  are  in  doubt.  Some  assert  that  the  drowning  of 
Milburn  and  Reed  in  the  Pecatonica,  not  far  from  the  mouth  of  Yellow  Creek, 
was  the  first  instance  of  a  visit  of  the  Grim  Reaper.  Others  assert  that  the 
drowning  occurred  in  Silver  Creek  Township,  just  across  the  town  line,  and 
there  is  very  good  reason  to  believe  that  such  was  the  case.  At  any  rate,  the 
drownings  are  on  record  as  the  first  cases  of  death,  and  if  they  are  not  au- 
thentic, there  is  no  story  to  the  contrary  which  attempts  to  give  the  names  of 
the  unfortunates. 

After  1850  the  growth  of  Ridott  Township  was  rapid  and  somewhat  unin- 
teresting. About  the  beginning  of  the  decade  the  township  suffered  a  relapse  in 
the  visit  of  the  cholera  plague  which  attacked  Freeport  and  points  along  the 
Pecatonica  and  Yellow  Creek.  The  blow  struck  hardest  at  Nevada,  near  Ridott, 
which  never  fully  recovered.  Unlike  Mill  Grove,  in  Loran  Township,  it  was 
not  erased  from  the  map,  but  the  number  of  deaths  was  appalling,  and  most 
dreadful  to  contemplate  in  so  small  a  town. 

In  1852,  the  Chicago  and  Galena  Union  Railroad,  afterward  a  part  of  the 
Chicago  and  Northwestern  system,  came  through,  and  speculators  and  pur- 
chasers came  to  the  township  in  large  numbers.  But  not  until  about  ten  years 
ago  did  the  Ridott  farmers  have  their  greatest  impetus  for  development  and 
improvement.  This  came  in  the  shape  of  the  Rockford  and  Freeport  electric 
line  of  the  Rockford  and  Interurban  system,  which  touched  the  villages  of 
Ridott  and  Nevada,  running  parallel  with  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  tracks. 
This  was  especially  a  boon  to  the  villagers  of  Ridott  for  it  has  enabled  them  to 
come  to  Freeport  and  do  their  shopping  at  any  and  every  time  of  the  day,  af- 
fording quick,  cheap,  and  comfortable  transportation. 

In  addition  to  the  Interurban,  three  steam  railroads  enter  Ridott  Town- 
ship, making  a  total  of  four  within  the  whole  area.  The  Chicago  and  North- 
western cuts  across  the  northern  end  of  the  township,  running  through  Ridott 
village,  and  also  Nevada,  but  not  maintaining  a  station  at  the  last  named  place. 
The  Illinois  Central  runs  through  the  central  portion  from  northwest  to  south- 
east and  through  the  stations  at  Everts  and  Legal.  Lastly,  the  Chicago  and 
Great  Western  cuts  across  the  southwestern  corner  of  Ridott  Township,  with 
its  station  at  the  village  of  German  Valley.  From  German  Valley  it  runs  directly 
southeast  to  Ogle  County,  where  its  first  station  is  located  at  Egan.  From  that 
point  it  runs  to  Chicago  in  an  almost  direct  line. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  371 

The  farms  of  Ridott  are  in  good  condition  and  have  a  well  kept,  prosperous 
look.  That  is  not  particularly  true  of  the  farms  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
township,  near  the  river.  The  farms  in  this  section  of  the  county  are  very  old, 
and  probably  more  dilapidated  and  forsaken  farm  buildings  can  be  found  in 
the  region  surrounding  the  State  Road  than  in  any  other  section  of  the  country 
roundabout.  Of  course,  these  farm  houses  are  not  occupied  and  it  is  only  a 
matter  of  time  when  they  will  be  torn  down.  The  new  and  occupied  buildings 
are  of  course  well  kept  and  neat  in  appearance.  There  are  also  a  number  of  old 
stone  buildings,  very  ancient,  and  interesting  to  the  lover  of  the  antique.  Among 
the  very  old  buildings  of  Ridott  Township,  and  of  the  county  for  that  matter 
is  the  old  Hunt  place,  on  the  State  Road,  south  of  Ridott,  formerly  used  as  a 
Tavern  for  the  Chicago-Galena  stages.  The  place  is  still  occupied  by  the  de- 
scendants of  the  original  keeper. 

As  a  place  for  investments  in  farm  lands  both  with  a  view  to  speculation, 
and  permanent  residence,  Ridott  Township  is  not  surpassed.  The  lands  about 
the  Pecatonica  River  in  the  northern  end  of  the  section  are  well  wooded,  but 
aside  from  that  the  surface  is  most  wide  rolling  prairie,  containing  lands  which 
compare  well  in  fertility  with  any  part  of  the  state. 


RIDOTT. 

The  village  of  Ridott  was  founded  in  1860.  Nevada,  a  short  distance  west  of 
the  village  site,  and  now  known  to  the  inhabitants  of  Ridott  as  the  "old  town," 
was  the  fore-runner  of  Ridott.  When  the  Chicago  and  Galena  Union  Railroad 
was  completed  through  the  township,  a  station  was  established  at  Nevada  and  a 
town  surveyed  and  platted.  This  remained  in  existence  for  three  years,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  J.  S.  Cochran  and  brother  of  Freeport  purchased  sixty  acres 
of  land,  upon  a  part  of  which  the  present  village  of  Ridott  stands.  Through  some 
previous  transaction,  the  details  of  which  were  always  shrouded  in  mystery, 
the  Cochran  Brothers  had  concluded  a  contract  with  the  railroad  company, 
agreeing  to  grade  the  side  tracks,  plat,  and  lay  out  the  town,  providing  the 
railroad  station  was  transferred  from  Nevada  to  the  new  place.  On  the  loth 
day  of  July,  1860,  the  station  was  moved  to  "Cochranville"  as  the  place  was 
then  christened,  and  soon  after  G.  W.  Loveland,  the  Nevada  postmaster,  in 
obedience  to  instructions  from  the  department,  moved  the  postoffice  to  Cochran- 
ville, and  built  the  postoffice,  the  first  building  erected  in  the  village.  The  first 
store  was  soon  after  built  by  the  Cochran  Brothers,  and  named  the  "Farmer's 
Store."  About  the  same  time,  Oscar  H.  Osborn  built  a  house  near  the  track 
which  he  adapted  to  residence  and  saloon  purposes.  Ridott  has  never  been 
a  "dry  town"  since  that  date.  In  1861,  Samuel  Irvin  built  his  shoe  shop  on 
Adams  street,  James  Clark  his  residence,  on  the  same  street,  W.  E.  Moorhouse 
a  house  on  Jefferson  street,  and  these  constituted  the  village  until  the  close  of 
the  Civil  war.  A  few  buildings  were  erected  in  the  vicinity,  but  the  period  was 
not  distinguished  by  phenomenal  growth  or  enterprise. 

In  the  fall  of  1861,  the  name  of  the  village  was  changed  to  "Ridott"  through 
the  agency  of  a  petition  prepared  by  the  residents  and  addressed  to  the  Depart- 


372  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ment  at  Washington.  The  name  was  taken  from  the  township,  and  that,  in  turn, 
is  said  to  have  been  named  after  a  clerk  in  the  postoffice  department  at  Wash- 
ington. 

After  the  close  of  the  war,  the  growth  ot  ividott  was  renewed,  and  the 
building  of  the  village  resumed.  Ross  Babcock  erected  a  brick  building  which 
still  stands  on  Adams  Street,  and  contains  "Ridott  Hall,"  a  spacious  audience 
room,  office  rooms,  and  two  stores.  Isaac  S.  Shirey  built  a  residence  on  Wash- 
ington street,  J.  A.  Kerr  soon  built  a  house  near  to  his,  and  later  Josiah  Deimer, 
Mrs.  Lewis  Getchell,  Reuben  Clark,  and  Hezekiah  Poffenberger  erected  man- 
sions on  the  same  street.  Henry  Gibler  built  himself  a  home  on  Adams  street 
about  the  same  time,  and  Dr.  M.  W.  Walton  moved  a  building  into  the  village, 
reconstructed  it,  and  used  it  for  dwelling  purposes.  In  1867,  the  'U.  B.  church 
was  erected,  the  only  one  in  the  village  for  many  years,  in  1869  the  new  brick 
schoolhouse  was  built,  and  in  1875  the  town  was  incorporated  as  a  village.  F. 
D.  Coolidge  was  the  first  president  of  the  village  board,  and  the  first  members 
were  H.  P.  Waters,  Samuel  Moyer,  O.  M.  Doty,  W.  A.  Kerr,  and  J.  L.  Robinson. 
W.  A.  Kerr  acted  as  village  clerk,  and  Samuel  Moyer  as-  village  treasurer. 

Among  the  archives  of  the  village  have  been  preserved  the  records  of  the 
first  birth,  the  first  marriage,  and  the  first  death.  The  first  birth  was  a  son  to 
Oscar  and  Mary  Osborn.  The  first  death  was  that  of  Elizabeth  Leech,  and" 
the  first  marriage  was  contracted  between  Brock  Mullen  and  Mrs.  Mary  Hill. 

For  many  years  the  village  pursued  the  even  tenor  of  its  course,  quite  like 
the  ordinary  country  village.  But  about  ten  years  ago  a  change  was  effected, 
when  the  Rockford  and  Freeport  line  came  through  Ridott  and  erected  its  sta- 
tion there.  The  increased  facilities  for  transportation  have  been  taken  advan- 
tage of  by  the  people  of  Ridott  to  such  an  extent  that  they  do  practically  all  of 
their  shopping  at  Freeport,  and  now  consider  themselves  as  suburban  dwellers 
of  the  county  seat.  The  village  has  grown  a  great  deal  since  the  advent  of  the 
electric  line,  and  numbers  a  population  of  about  four  hundred  inhabitants. 

United  Brethren  Church.  The  largest  and  most  influential  church  of  Ridott 
is  that  belonging  to  the  United  Brethren,  Association.  The  congregation  was 
organized  about  1859,  before  the  village  of  Ridott  was  laid  out,  and  was  com- 
posed principally  of  the  residents  of  Nevada.  Services  were  held)  first  in  the 
schoolhouse  on  the  Moyer  farm,  later  in  the  schoolhouse  on  the  Waters  farm. 

In  1867,  the  present  church,  a  frame  edifice  28  x  48,  valued  at  about  $2,500, 
was  built  on  a  lot  on  Adams  Street.  Recently  the  whole  building  was  rebuilt 
and  remodelled.  A  parsonage  valued  at  about  $1,500  has  also  been  built,  next 
to  the  church  building.  The  congregation  numbers  fifty-eight,  with  a  Sunday 
school  of  one  hundred  and  six.  There  have  been  a  large  number  of  pastors 
connected  with  the  Ridott  church  since  the  coming  of  the  first  pastor,  Rev. 
James  Johnson.  All  of  them  have  also  performed  the  pastoral  duties  at  the 
Winneshiek  church  in  Lancaster  township.  The  minister  at  present  in  charge 
is  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Fry. 

Free  Methodist  Church.  The  Free  Methodist  church  was  organized  in  1875, 
and  numbers  a  congregation  of  about  forty.  For  some  years  services  were  held 
in  the  schoolhouse,  in  Ridott  Hall,  and  in  various  other  locations.  Then  the 
present  church  edifice,  a  small  and  unpretentious  structure  on  Adams  Street,  was 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  373 

erected.  Rev.  Mr.  Ferns  was  the  minister  under  whose  direction  the  charge  was 
organized.  The  pastor  at  present  officiating  is  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Plantz. 

Lodges.  Ridott  is  not  a  great  lodge  town.  Unlike  the  villages  of  the 
northern  part  of  the  county,  which  are  very  active  in  this  direction  and  support 
a  large  number  of  secret  societies,  Ridott  supports  very  few.  The  two  now  in 
existence  are  the  camp  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  which  was  estab- 
lished about  fifteen  years  ago,  and  the  lodge  of  the  Stars  of  Equity,  which  is 
a  comparatively  recent  organization. 

Ridott  Band.  The  Ridott  Band  was  organized  in  June,  1910,  by  Professor 
L.  M.  Hiatt,  of  the  University  of  Indiana,  who  came  to  the  village  at  that  time 
to  reside  with  his  relatives,  the  McCrackens.  The  band  consists  of  twenty-six 
brass  instruments,  and  furnishes  music  on  all  occasions  where  an  organization 
of  the  kind  is  called  upon  to  officiate. 


GERMAN  VALLEY. 

Before  the  Chicago  Great  Western  came  through  the  county,  there  was  a 
general  store  and  one  or  two  houses  at  the  cross  roads  where  German  Valley, 
or  Baalton,  as  it  was  then  called,  was  located.  With  the  advent  of  the  rail- 
road, in  August,  1887,  the  present  village  was  platted,  and  the  town  re-christened 
German  Valley. 

Probably  the  least  attractive  and  interesting  of  all  the  Stephenson  County 
villages,  German  Valley  is  nevertheless  the  home  of  a  number  of  wealthy  farm- 
ers, who  are  descendants  of  the  famous  German  colony  that  came  to  Ridott  over 
half  a  century  ago.  The  country  about  German  Valley  is  most  attractive,  the 
fields  are  fertile  and  productive,  and  the  farm  houses  and  barns  are  trim  and 
well  kept.  The  village  itself  is  far  from  lively.  There  are  half  a  dozen  stores 
in  operation,  a  creamery,  a  blacksmith  shop,  and  a  grain  elevator  owned  by  the 
H.  A.  Hillmer  Co.,  of  Freeport. 

M.  E.  Church.  The  Methodist  church  of  German  Valley  is  of  recent  ori- 
gin. The  present  church  edifice  was  put  up  in  1903,  the  congregation  having 
met  about  in  various  places  before  the  building  of  the  church.  It  is  a  frame 
structure,  of  a  modern  type  of  architecture,  having  cost  about  $2,500.  The  con- 
gregation also  owns  a  new  frame  parsonage,  located  across  the  street  from  the 
church,  which  is  worth  about  $1,500.  The  congregation  numbers  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  fifty  communicants,  with  a  Sunday  school  about  as  large.  The  Rev. 
Edward  Breen  is  the  pastor  in  charge. 

There  are  no  other  churches  in  German  Valley,  but  there  are  a  number  lo- 
cated within  a  radius  of  a  mile  or  two,  which  are  attended  by  the  German  Val- 
ley citizens.  The  German  Reformed  church  is  located  a  mile  west  of  the 
town,  and  the  Christian  Reformed  church  two  miles  northeast. 

Pleasant  Prairie  Academy.  The  German  Valley  high  school,  known  as  the 
Pleasant  Prairie  Academy,  is  located  about  a  mile  west  of  the  village,  at  the 
settlement  known  as  Pleasant  Prairie.  The  academy  is  operated  by  the  offi- 
cials of  the  German  Reformed  church,  and  has  been  in  the  past  presided  over 
by  the  ministers  of  the  Pleasant  Prairie  Reformed  church. 


874  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Rev.  Mr.  Byers  is  at  present  principal  of  the  Pleasant  Prairie  Academy.  He 
is  assisted  by  Rev.  Schicker,  pastor  of  the  Pleasant  Prairie  church.  The  acad- 
emy offers  an  excellent  course  of  instruction,  covering  three  years  of  preparatory 
work,  and  four  years  of  high  school  and  academic  instruction.  A  very  full 
course  is  offered,  including  Latin,  Greek,  English,  the  modern  languages,  alge- 
bra, geometry,  trigonometry,  and  the  various  studies  included  in  the  curriculum 
of  an  up-to-date  high  school.  The  faculty  includes  a  corps  of  three  or  four 
instructors. 

German  American  State  Bank.  The  State  Bank  of  German  Valley  was  or- 
ganized in  December,  1906,  and  opened  for  business  January,  1907.  It  is  one 
of  the  prosperous  village  banks  of  the  county,  and  was  incorporated  under  the 
banking  laws  of  the  state  of  Illinois.  The  founder  and  original  president  of 
the  institution  was  F.  A.  Briggs,  of  Madison,  Wisconsin,  who  resigned  after  a 
short  term  of  office,  to  be  succeeded  by  H.  W.  Coffman.  The  bank  is  capitalized 
at  $25,000.  The  officers  are: 

President:    H.  W.  Coffman. 

Vice-president:     H.  Heeren. 

Cashier:     Louis  Fosha. 

Assistant  Cashier:     L.  Van  Osterloo. 

The  German  American  Bank  occupies  a  substantial  brick  building  built  es- 
pecially for  its  occupation  on  the  main  street  of  the  village.  It  enjoys  a  large 
patronage  among  the  farmers  of  the  vicinity. 

German  Valley  also  supports  a  creamery,  which  is  owned  by  capitalists  at 
the  village  of  Kent,  twenty  miles  west  of  German  Valley.  The  local  superin- 
tendent in  charge  of  the  factory  at  German  Valley  is  C.  B.  Ressler. 

Unlike  most  of  the  county  villages,  German  Valley  does  not  possess  any 
lodges  or  secret  and  fraternal  organizations.  The  want  is  filled  by  the  various 
church  societies,  and  by  the  lodges  at  Ridott,  and  the  neighboring  villages  to  the 
west  and  north. 

There  are  half  a  dozen  stores,  a  large  general  store  owned  by  N.  H.  Jansen, 
a  post-office,  blacksmith  shop,  and  the  usual  residences.  The  population  of  the 
village  is  quoted  as  two  hundred,  with  a  slight  increase  since  the  taking  of  the 
last  census.  German  Valley  is  about  fourteen  miles  from  Freeport,  accessible 
by  the  Chicago  Great  Western  from  the  South  Freeport  station. 

NEVADA. 

A  visit  to  the  site  of  Nevada  is  not  necessary  to  convince  the  inquisitive 
historian  that  the  village  no  longer  exists,  for  the  mere  name  is  scarcely  men- 
tioned in  these  parts  today.  Formerly  it  was  a  place  of  great  importance  and 
was  settled  very  early  in  the  history  of  the  county.  Before  the  propagators  of 
Ridott  had  brought  their  village  before  the  eyes  of  'the  world,  the  town  of  Ne- 
vada was  platted  out  and  promised  to  be,  some  day,  a  factor  of  importance  in 
county  politics.  But  fate  had  ordained  differently. 

Nevada  came  into  existence  in  1852,  when  the  Chicago  and  Galena  Union 
Railroad  came  through  the  region.  The  railroad  surveyors  as  well  as  the  farm- 
ers of  Ridott  felt  the  need  of  a  station  somewhere  along  the  route  through  Ri- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  375 

dott  Township,  and  the  services  of  a  surveyor  were  secured  to  plat  out  a  town 
and  sell  lots.  A  railroad  station,  long  since  disappeared,  was  built,  and  the 
town  named  "Nevada"  after  Nevada  City,  Colorado,  where  Daniel  Wooton, 
who  owned  the  land  on  which  Nevada  was  platted,  died  in  '49,  en  route  to  the 
gold  fields  in  California.  A  post-office  was  also  established,  of  which  William 
Wright  was  postmaster,  and  a  number  of  improvements  were  made,  which 
seemed  to  show  that  Nevada  was  a  coming  city. 

This  was  all  in  1852.  Hardly  had  the  town  felt  itself  established,  when  the 
cholera  plague  came  swooping  down  upon  it  from  the  west  and  with  deadly 
results.  So  many  of  the  inhabitants  died  within  one  short  summer  that  the 
population  was  decreased  nearly  a  half.  In  1854,  the  cholera  came  again,  and 
with  results  quite  as  horrible.  The  town  was  so  depleted  in  population  that  it 
seemed  unlikely  that  it  would  ever  be  able  to  tide  over.  However,  it  sur- 
vived the  shock  six  years,  and  an  agency  other  than  the  dreadful  cholera,  viz., 
commercial  enterprise  and  a  transaction  on  the  part  of  a  company  of  Freeport 
gentlemen,  which  would  today  be  branded  "graft,"  succeeded  in  forever  ruin- 
ing Nevada's  prospects.  These  men  bought  a  large  territory  of  land,  where 
the  village  of  Ridott  stands  today,  having  previously  concluded  arrangements 
with  the  railroad  company  that  in  the  case  of  their  platting  out  a  town  the  rail- 
road should  remove  its  station,  side-tracks,  and  so  forth,  to  the  new  site.  This 
was  done  in  1860.  On  the  loth  of  July  of  that  year,  the  station  was  removed, 
and  trains  no  longer  stopped  at  ill-fated  Nevada.  A  little  later  in  the  year,  in 
obedience  to  the  instructions  of  the  department  at  Washington,  G.  W.  Loveland, 
postmaster  of  Nevada,  moved  his  postal  station  to  the  new  town,  and  as  the 
sun  of  Ridott  rose,  the  orb  of  Nevada  set.  The  villagers  of  Nevada  were  not 
loath  to  leave  their  old  homes,  with  their  memories  of  the  cholera  plague,  and 
their  proximity  to  the  swamps  and  river  bed  lowlands,  and  a  large  majority  of 
them  moved  to  the  new  village.  A  few  remained  in  the  old  home,  and  saw 
the  deserted  houses  of  their  departed  townsmen  go  to  rack  and  ruin  about  them. 

Deserted  villages  are  sometimes  quite  as  interesting  as  inhabited  settle- 
ments. Sometimes,  at  least,  from  a  historical  standpoint,  they  are  even  more 
so.  A  visit  to  the  empty  plat  of  the  Nevada  town  site  shows  some  interesting 
developments  within  the  last  few  years.  The  city  lots  have  long  been  parts  of- 
a  farm,  and  have  been  untilized  as  cornfields,  but  now  a  transformation  is  tak- 
ing place.  The  town  is  apparently  reviving.  A  new  house  has  been  built  on 
the  main  street  within  the  last  year,  and  an  old  mansion  which  stands  back  at 
some  distance  in  aristocratic  seclusion,  has  been  re-painted  and  re-inhabited.  It 
would  be  strange  indeed  if  the  logic  of  events  should  make  Nevada  a  village 
again,  with  a  wakeful  community.  It  may  be  the  case,  for  the  village  is  easily 
accessible  from  Freeport  by  the  interurban,  and  the  lack  of  transportation  fa- 
cilities, which  ruined  the  town,  has  been  filled  by  the  coming  of  the  new  electric 
line.  As  yet,  the  steps  which  have  been  taken  are  too  vague  to  be  called  hopeful, 
and  the  population  is  a  mere  baker's  dozen,  while  back  from  the  little  handful 
of  houses  which  border  on  the  tracks  stretch  the  furrowed  fields  of  a  thriving 
farm,  and  the  site  which  the  village  of  Nevada  used  to  occupy  is  only  marked 
by  the  waving  blades  of  corn. 


376  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

EVERTS. 

Everts  Station,  or  Stevens  Post-office,  is  the  first  station  east  of  Freeport 
on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad.  It  is  a  tiny  settlement,  and  of  little 
or  no  importance  since  the  post-office  has  been  removed.  The  hamlet  contains 
a  few  houses,  a  store,  and  a  grain  elevator  owned  by  Freeport  capital.  Everts 
was  founded  when  the  Illinois  Central  line  came  through,  although  Stevens 
Post-office  was  of  earlier  origin.  The  village  was  at  one  time  quite  a  thriving 
little  community  and  promised,  some  day,  to  gain  some  importance.  The  rural 
free  delivery  system  cut  off  the  post-office  patronage,  caused  the  trade  of  the 
store  to  dwindle,  and  now  Everts  is  a  very  lifeless  spot  without  much  prospect 
of  future  resuscitation. 

LEGAL. 

Legal,  or  Legal  Post-office,  as  it  is  still  familiarly  called,  contains  a  store, 
and  a  cross  roads  settlement  of  limited  dimensions.  It  is  located  on  the  Illinois 
Central  line  about  two  and  one-half  miles  east  of  Everts,  and  formerly  con- 
tained a  post-office  with  a  large  rural  patronage.  The  post-office  is  now  discon- 
tinued, and  the  settlement  is  no  longer  of  any  importance.  It  does  not  contain 
any  church  or  school,  although  school  and  church  facilities  are  offered  in  the  near 
vicinity.  No  regular  railroad  station  is  maintained  at  Legal,  and  the  settle- 
ment, as  a  village,  is  now  practically  abandoned. 

WADDAMS  TOWNSHIP. 

Waddams  township  is  six  miles  square,  and  contains  twenty-three  thousand 
and  forty  acres  of  rolling  prairie.  It  is  crossed  by  the  Pecatonica  River,  which 
receives  a  large  number  of  tributaries  within  the  confines  of  the  township.  The 
most  important  is  Waddams  Creek,  a  small  but  swift  current,  which  rises  in  the 
southwestern  corner  of  the  township  and  flows  northeast  into  the  Pecatonica. 
In  addition,  there  are  numerous  other  creeks  and  streamlets  which  cover  the 
township  with  such  a  system  of  water  courses  that  water  power  is  never  lack- 
ing. The  township,  it  is  believed,  was  surveyed  by  William  Hamilton,  son  of 
the  great  secretary  of  the  treasury  in  Washington's  cabinet,  who  had  settled  in  the 
lead  mine  regions  at  Hamilton's  Diggings  and  who  also  was  an  Independent 
Ranger  during  the  Black  Hawk  War. 

The  first  settlement  was  made  by  Levi  Robey  in  1835.  His  nearest  neighbor 
was  William  Waddams,  seven  miles  to  the  west.  He  built  a  log  cabin  on  the 
Pecatonica,  and  began  a  "clearing,"  which  was  the  first  farm  in  Waddams  town- 
ship. The  same  year  Nelson  Wait,  Hubbard  Graves,  Charles  Gappen,  Alija 
Watson,  John  and  Thomas  Baker  and  William  Willis  joined  the  settlement. 
These  earliest  settlers  got  their  mail  and  supplies  at  Galena  and  went  on  a  two 
or  three  days'  journey  to  mill  on  Wolf  Creek.  Indians  and  wild  animals  abounded 
ih  the  wilderness  and  the  settlement  of  the  township  was  accompanied  by  the 
usual  frontier  dangers  and  privations. 

The  settlement  was  made  strong  in  1836  by  the  new  arrivals,  mostly  from 
the  east.  That  year  came  Thomas  Hawkins,  John  Boyington,  Lydia  Wait  and 
family,  N.  Phillips,  Pells  Manny,  John  Lobdell,  Barney  Stowell,  Lewis 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  377 

Griggsby,  Nicholas  Marcellus,  John  Dennison  and  a  nam  named  Velie.  The 
first  birth  in  the  township  was  William  Robey,  son  of  Levi  Robey,  September 
21,  1836. 

Within  recent  years  Waddams  township  has  taken  a  place  of  great  importance 
in  the  politics  of  Stephenson  County.  It  is  one  of  the  few  Democratic  town- 
ships of  the  county  outside  of  Freeport,  and,  as  such,  is  an  interesting  factor 
in  all  county  elections. 

« 

McCONNELL. 


McConnell  is  a  pleasant  little  village  on  the  Pecatonica  River  and  on  the 
Dodgeville  branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad.  Besides  several  stores,  hotel, 
blacksmith  shop,  two  churches,  a  school  house  and  the  postoffice,  there  is  an  ex- 
cellent creamery  run  by  Peter  Danielson,  an  expert  butter-maker.  The  sur- 
rounding farmers  find  excellent  market  for  milk.  The  creamery  puts  out  from 
nine  thousand  to  twelve  thousand  pounds  of  butter  daily.  West  of  McConnell, 
about  one  mile,  is  a  cheese  factory  that  does  a  good  business.  McConnell  has 
a  number  of  fine  residences  that  are  well  kept. 

The  old  house,  the  oldest  now  standing  in  McConnell,  was  built  by  Robert 
McConnell  and  is  yet  in  good  repair.  There  is  nothing  left  of  the  old  mill  but 
a  remnant  of  the  dam.  Two  old  settlers,  who  have  been  citizens  for  more  than 
fifty  years  and  who  know  the  history  of  the  community,  are  Mr.  A.  C.  Martin 
and  Charles  Graves. 

In  1836  John  Dennison  entered  one  thousand  acres  on  the  present  site  of 
McConnell.  He  had  the  town  fever  and  his  idea  was  to  lay  out  and  build  up  a 
town  on  the  Pecatonica.  He  was  joined  by  John  Vanzant  and  built  a  saw  mill 
north  of  the  grove  in  1836.  The  next  year,  Dennison  and  Vanzant,  the  latter 
being  a  surveyor,  laid  off  the  land  in  town  lots  and  made  such  improvements  as 
they  could  in  order  to  attract  settlers. 

In  1838  Robert  McConnell  arrived  from  Pennsylvania  and  purchased  the 
land  and  improvements  and  called  it  "McConnell's  Grove."  He  established  a 
store  at  once  and  brought  his  stock  from  Galena.  The  town  did  not  build  up 
rapidly  and  the  land  was  secured  by  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company,  which 
sold  it  to  John  Kennedy  after  the  best  timber  had  been  removed.  Kennedy  sold 
lots  and  farms  to  settlers,  including  Charles  Webster,  George  Buck,  John  Ault, 
Lewis  G.  Reed  and  other  about  1855. 

In  1880  McConnell  had  a  population  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty,  a  hotel, 
two  wagon  and  blacksmith  shops,  a  harness  shop,  two  stores  and  received  mail 
three  times  a  week.  The  school  house  was  built  in  1849.  The  first  teachers  in 
the  vicinity  were  Fayette  Goddard  and  Adeline  Hulburt,  with  an  average  of 
seventy  students  for  many  years.  The  school  district  was  divided,  because  of 
the  increased  number  of  settlers,  in  1868  and  1871.  The  present  school  build- 
ing was  erected  in  1889.  Talk  of  building  a  new  three  room  school  is  persistent, 
but  the  majority  of  the  taxpayers  are  not  yet  convinced  that  they  want  to  build 
so  large  a  school. 

McConnell  Lutheran  Church.  The  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  in  1850, 
October  19,  with  nineteen  members.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  G".  J.  Donmeyer. 


378  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Services  were  first  held  in  the  school  house,  and  in  1869  the  church  building  was 
erected.  It  was  built  of  brick,  30  x  45,  had  a  steeple  and  cost  $2,200.  In  1880 
there  were  fifty  members,  and  G.  J.  Donmeyer  was  still  pastor.  His  connection 
with  the  church  had  not  been  continuous,  however,  and  for  a  time  Rev.  J.  Stoll 
and  J.  K.  Bloom  had  served  as  pastors.  Rev.  Mr.  Barr  is  the  present  pastor. 

Lutheran  Church.  Three  miles  to  the  west  of  McConnell  is  another  Luth- 
eran Church,  which  was  organized  also  by  Rev.  G.  J.  Donmeyer  in  1851  with 
thirteen  members.  In  1871  the  organization  built  a  church  building  valued  at 
$1,890.  In  1880  Rev.  J.  W.  Fritch  was  pastor. 

Rev.  W.  G.  Metzker,  of  Orangeville,  is  pastor  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

A  small  Methodist  congregation,  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Charles  Briggs, 
is  making  excellent  headway. 

DAMASCUS. 

The  village  of  Damascus  is  one  of  the  oldest  of  the  county.  It  is  not  a  large 
settlement,  and  has  never  been  platted  out  as  a  village  site,  but  all  of  the  farmers 
within  a  radius  of  a  mile  or  more  call  themselves  residents  of  Damascus.  The 
population  gathered  about  the  store  and  blacksmith  shop,  which  form  the  nucleus 
of  the  village,  numbers  about  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

Damascus  was  founded  and  given  its  present  name  in  1837  by  Norman 
Phillips,  who  became  its  first  postmaster  after  a  while.  In  three  or  four  years 
the  post-office  was  established  and  Damascus  continued  to  have  a  post-office 
patronage  of  five  hundred  or  more  until  the  rural  free  delivery  system  came  a 
few  years  ago,  and  Damascus  post-office  ceased  to  do  business. 

Damascus  is  largely  settled  by  members  of  the  Phillips  family,  descendants 
of  the  man  who  founded  the  village,  and  for  many  years  the  post-office  was  con- 
ducted by  members  of  the  Phillips  clan.  The  one  break  in  the  link  was  the  post- 
mastership  of  W.  K.  Bechtold,  who  for  a  while  ran  the  general  store,  and  held 
the  office  of  postmaster  at  the  same  time. 

The  village  contains  a  general  store,  owned  by  G.  W.  Phillips,  a  blacksmith 
shop,  of  which  James  Albright  is  proprietor,  a  school,  a  church,  and  a  creamery. 
In  years  gone  by,  Damascus  was  a  very  important  point.  Being  situated  on  the 
Pecatonica  River,  at  one  of  the  few  points  where  the  stream  was  crossed  by  a 
oridge,  it  drew  a  large  number  of  transients  to  its  population.  These  gradually 
departed  upon  the  building  of  more  bridges,  and  the  establishment  of  ferries, 
and  to-day  the  place  is  of  very  little  commercial  importance,  except  for  its 
creamery.  Tradition  says  that  when  the  controversy  concerning  the  establish- 
ment of  the  county  seat  was  in  progress,  Damascus  was  an  active  factor  in  the 
struggle,  and  was  finally  defeated  by  the  small  majority  of  one  vote.  Freeport, 
Cedarville  and  Damascus  were  the  candidates  for  the  honor,  and,  as  is  well  known, 
Freeport  eventually  won  out.  Nevertheless,  both  Cedarville  and  Damascus  were 
lively  competitors.  They  had  the  advantage  of  a  more  central  location  and  at 
one  time  it  seemed  as  if  they  were  the  logical  candidates  for  the  court  house. 
But  Freeport  backed  up  its  claims  with  a  large  sum  of  money,  and  the  battle 
was  to  the  strong. 


Oldest  House  in  Buena  Vista 


Log  House  at  McCoimell 


Oldest  House  in  McCoimell 
Built  by  Robert  McCoimell 


Oldest  House  in  Epleyanna 


Oldest  House  near  Oneco 


The  J.  W.  Addaius  Home,  Cedarville 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  379 

Damascus  Creamery.  The  creamery  is  operated  by  a  farmer's  stock  com- 
pany, of  which  J.  A.  Phillips  is  president.  It  does  a  large  business,  and,  outside 
of  Freeport,  is  by  far  the  most  important  creamery  in  the  county. 

First  Baptist  Church.  The  Damascus  Baptist  Church  has  been  in  existence 
for  about  twenty  years.  It  was  founded  in  1890  by  the  Rev.  C.  E.  Wren,  pastor 
of  the  Lena  Church,  and  has  since  been  attended  by  the  pastors  who  do  service 
for  that  congregation.  The  charge  is  a  student  charge,  and  the  pastor  at  present 
in  charge  is  the  Rev.  Hervey  Gilbert,  who  resides  at  Lena.  The  membership  of 
the  church  is  about  thirty.  The  church  building  was  built  very  soon  after  the 
founding  of  the  church  society  in  Damascus. 

Damascus  lies  on  the  road  between  Lena  and  Cedarville,  about  an  equal 
distance  from  both  of  these  points.  It  is  situated  on  the  town  line  between  Har- 
lem and  Waddams  townships,  and  the  post-office  has  at  various  times  been  located 
in  Harlem  Township.  At  the  time  of  the  advent  of  the  rural  delivery,  it  was  es- 
tablished on  the  Waddams  side  of  the  road,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  village 
is  on  that  side.  The  last  census  gave  the  village  a  population  of  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty,  and  there  has  been  hardly  any  increase  since  that  time. 

WADDAMS  CENTER. 

Waddams  Center,  as  the  name  indicates,  is  the  central  spot  of  Waddams 
township.  The  site  is  not  marked  by  a  village  of  any  consequence,  and  the  main 
object  of  interest  is  the  district  school,  known  as  the  Waddams  Center  School. 
The  settlement  embraces  a  territory  of  three  or  four  square  miles,  the  inhabit- 
ants of  which  designate  themselves  as  "Waddams  Center  people."  Waddams 
Center  does  not  support  a  church,  but  there  is  a  church  at  McConnell,  only  a 
short  distance  away,  which  is  attended  by  the  farmers  of  the  region.  There  is 

ERIN  TOWNSHIP. 

no  general  store,  nor  has  there  ever  been  a  post-office.     The  population  of  the 
whole  settlement  at  Waddams  Center  is  about  fifty. 


Erin  township  originally  comprised  not  only  its  present  area  but,  in  addi- 
tion, the  township  of  Kent,  to  the  west,  which  was  subdivided  from  Erin  on 
March  17,  1856.  It  was  a  strange  freak  of  the  logic  of  events  that  the  blow  which 
severed  Kent  from  Erin  and  left  the  latter  deprived  of  the  superior  wood  and 
water  advantages  formerly  enjoyed,  should  have  fallen  at  a  meeting  of  the 
board  of  supervisors  which  was  convened  on  St.  Patrick's  day.  For  Erin  town- 
ship, as  its  name  implies,  was  settled  largely  by  Irish  farmers,  and  the  village  of 
Dublin  in  the  western  part  of  the  township  contains  one  of  the  two  country 
Catholic  churches  of  the  county. 

About  1835  the  first  settlements  were  made  in  that  part  of  the  county 
which  is  at  present  Erin  Township.  The  settlers  were  Hibernians  from  the  "ould 
sod,"  by  name  Bartholomew  Doyle  and  Michael  Murphey.  Both  of  them  settled 
in  the  range  at  present  known  as  "Dublin  Settlement,"  the  former  on  the  site  of 
St.  Mary's  Church  of  the  Mound,  and  the  latter  about  a  mile  away  from  that 
spot.  Their  nearest  neighbors  were  the  settlers  in  the  western  part  of  the  town- 


380  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ship,  which  has  since  become  Kent.  Among  these  were  the  Timms  family,  the 
Willets  and  various  others  who  are  mentioned  in  the  history  of  Kent  township. 

For  about  two  years  the  settlers  were  few  and  far  between.  In  1837  Valorus 
Thomas  arrived  and  settled  about  four  miles  away  from  Dublin  settlement,  on 
the  line  between  Harlem  and  Erin  townships.  In  the  same  year  came  Ebenezer 
Mulnix,  and  a  Mr.  Helm,  who  settled  near  Thomas.  Bartholomew  Doyle  re- 
mained on  his  farm  long  enough  to  improve  the  land  and  donate  three  acres  for 
the  erection  of  St.  Mary's  Church.  Then  he  moved  west  about  half  a  mile,  into 
Kent  township,  sold  his  old  farm  to  one  Robert  Franey,  and  began  the  opening 
and  improvement  of  a  new  grange. 

Between  1837  and  1840,  a  goodly  number  of  emigrants  came  to  Erin  town- 
ship, with  a  large  preponderence  of  the  Irish  element  among  them.  The  large 
part  of  Dublin  settlement  did  not  come  until  about  1842,  but  some  of  the  fore- 
runners came  earlier.  Among  the  newcomers,  about  1839,  were  James  Fowler, 
John  Fiddler,  John  B.  Kaufmann,  Peter  Van  Sickle,  George  W.  Babbitt,  Jonas 
Pickard,  Palmer  Pickard,  Lewis  Grigsby,  F.  Rosenstiel,  and  their  families. 

In  1840,  there  was  another  large  inroad,  including,  among  others,  Reuben 
Tower,  William  Schermerhorn,  John  Lloyd,  Frederick  Gossmann,  John  Ham- 
mond, Nathan  Ferry,  E.  H.  Woodbridge  and  a  number  of  people  whose  names 
are  lost  to  us.  Amos  Davis,  who  had  settled  at  Scioto  Hills  in  1837.  moved 
west  into  Erin  township  about  1840  or  a  little  later. 

In  1842,  Dublin  settlement  began  to  grow  very  rapidly.  Andrew  and  George 
Cavanaugh  came  in  that  year,  also  Andrew  Farrell,  Dennis  Maher,  who  settled 
in  section  29,  John  McNamara,  Patrick  Brown  and  many  more.  None  of  the 
newcomers  were  more  warmly  welcomed  than  the  wife  and  family  of  a  man 
named  Burns.  They  had  come  by  wagon  train,  and  when  crossing  the  Rock 
River  at  Dixon,  the  bridge  collapsed,  and  all  were  hurled  to  the  depths  below. 
In  the  havoc  which  ensued,  a  number  of  the  unfortunates  were  drowned,  among 
them  Mr.  Burns  and  his  son.  Mrs.  Burns  and  the  rest  of  her  family  were  fortu- 
nate enough  to  escape,  and  instead  of  remaining  about  the  spot  where  the  calam- 
ity had  occurred  and  spending  her  time  in  vain  lamentations,  she  pushed  on  to 
the  destination  at  which  her  husband  had  been  aiming.  Here  she  arrived  safely 
some  time  later  and  was  warmly  welcomed  by  the  settlers. 

The  first  birth  in  the  Irish  settlement  occurred  in  1843,  when  a  son  was  born 
to  George  Cavanaugh.  In  the  next  year,  the  first  marriage  was  solemnized  by 
the  Catholic  priest.  Robert  Cavanaugh  and  Bridget  Maher  were  the  happy 
couple.  In  December,  1845,  the  first  known  death  is  said  to  have  taken  place. 
One  Mr.  Gillis,  who  was  taken  sick  in  the  autumn  of  that  year,  died,  according 
to  tradition,  from  lack  of  proper  care  and  treatment.  He  was  buried  in  the  grove 
on  Burns'  Branch,  the  first  recorded  burial  of  the  township. 

St.  Mary's  Church  of  the  Mound,  the  first  Catholic  church  built  in  the 
county,  according  to  some,  was  put  up  by  the  Dublin  settlers  in  1836.  This 
seems  highly  improbable,  but  such  is  the  tradition.  There  has  always  been  more 
or  less  of  a  controversy  between  the  Catholic  parishioners  of  Dublin  and  Irish 
Grove,  each  parish  asserting  that  its  church  was  the  earliest  of  the  county.  It 
is  quite  impossible  to  decide  the  controversy,  for  records  have  been  so  meagerly 
preserved.  The  "Golden  Jubilee"  souvenir,  issued  by  the  congregation  of  St. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  381 

Mary's  of  Freeport  during  the  Golden  Jubilee  Celebration  of  1896,  does  not  at- 
tempt to  take  part  in  the  dispute,  but  merely  states  the  dates  of  the  founding  of 
the  parishes  with  resident  priests.  According  to  this,  Dublin  settlement  has  the 
advantage  of  a  few  years.  It  was  attended  by  priests  from  Galena  until  1843, 
when  Father  Derwin,  appointed  by  the  bishop  of  St.  Louis,  became  the  first 
resident  priest,  also  doing  service  at  the  Irish  Grove  settlement  in  Rock  Run 
township. 

•.  The  Irish  Grove  church  was  certainly  erected  in  1838,  the  Dublin  church 
within  a  year  of  that  time.  Consequently  we  can  approximate  the  time  of  build- 
ing and  find  that  it  was  very  early  in  the  annals  of  Stephenson  county.  Once 
the  church  was  built,  there  was  something  to  draw  Irish  settlers  to  the  vicinity, 
and  to  this  day,  Erin  and  Dublin  settlements  have  maintained  their  full  quota  of 
Hibernians. 

Erin  township  is  quite  as  fertile  as  any  in  the  county,  and  contains  quite  as 
good  land.  It  has  an  area  of  about  eighteen  square  miles,  being  one  of  the 
three  smallest  townships  of  the  county  in  company  with  Jefferson  and  Dakota. 
There  is  no  large  creek  or  stream  of  any  importance  nor  are  there  any  groves  or 
timbered  sections  of  appreciable  extent.  The  township  is  crossed  by  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  (main  line)  with  its  one  station  at  the  village  of  Eleroy.  This 
line,  formerly  a  part  of  the  Galena  and  Chicago  Union  Railroad  came  through 
in  1852,  and  was  later  purchased  by  the  Illinois  Central,  which  now  controls  the 
•line  from  Freeport  to  Galena. 

DUBLIN. 

Dublin,  or  New  Dublin  settlement  as  it  is  familiarly  called,  embraces  four 
square  miles  of  territory,  partly  in  Kent  and  partly  in  Erin  townships,  from 
Willet's  Grove  to  Callan's  corners,  and  is  largely  settled  by  Irish  farmers  who 
came  from  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Dublin,  on  the  Liffey. 

The  first  settlers  were  Bartholomew  Doyle  and  Michael  Murphey,  who  came 
about  1835  or  1836.  New  arrivals  were  not  numerous  until  1842,  when  a  large 
number  of  emigrants,  including  Andrew  Cavanaugh,  George  Cavanaugh,  An- 
drew Farrell,  Dennis  Maher,  a  Mrs.  Burns,  John  McNamara,  Patrick  Brown,  etc. 

Soon  after  the  coming  of  Doyle  and  Murphey,  St.  Mary's  Church  of  the 
Mound,  one  of  the  two  rural  churches  of  Stephenson  county  which  adhere  to 
the  Catholic  faith,  was  established  by  a  Galena  priest.  Recently  a  new  and  hand- 
some structure  was  erected,  which  does  great  credit  to  Dublin  settlement,  and 
is  an  unusually  attractive  church  edifice  for  a  country  congregation. 

The  present  parish  of  Dublin  comprises  a  territory  about  eight  thousand  acres 
in  extent,  and  numbers  fifty  or  more  families.  The  settlement  is  unique  in  that 
it  has  clung  together  for  a  period  of  nearly  eighty  years  without  much  change 
in  its  character  except  the  natural  improvements  that  have  come  to  all  the  farm 
lands  of  the  middle  west. 

ROCK  RUN  TOWNSHIP. 

Rock  Run  township,  next  to  Ridott,  is  the  largest  township  of  the  county, 
having  an  area  of  forty-eight  square  miles,  while  the  latter  has  fifty-four.  It  is 


382  HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY 

one  of  the  wealthiest  townships  of  the  county,  and  is  composed  of  good  and 
fertile  farming  land,  interspersed  with  occasional  stretches  of  forest. 

Rock  Run  has  a  most  interesting  history.  It  is  probably  the  most  cosmo- 
politan township  of  the  county,  and  has  numbered  among  its  early  settlers  a  most 
peculiar  and  unusual  combination  of  Yankees,  Germans,  Dutch,  Irish  and  Nor- 
wegians. Strangely  enough,  they  lived  side  by  side  peaceably,  and  their  de- 
scendants have  intermarried  so  that  the  original  races  and  their  characteristics 
are  no  longer  discernable. 

The  first  permanent  settlement  in  Rock  Run,  of  which  there  is  any  record, 
was  that  of  a  Mrs.  Swanson,  who  came  to  these  regions  with  her  family  and 
took  up  a  large  claim  in  section  10  or  n,  near  the  site  of  the  future  village  of 
Davis.  Mrs.  Swanson  was  a  widow,  with  a  large  family  of  children,  who  aided 
her  in  the  care  of  the  farm.  This  was  in  1835.  In  the  same  year,  a  number  of 
settlers,  who  has  previously  visited  the  towsnhip,  en  route  to  the  lead  mines  at 
Galena,  returned  from  the  west,  and  settled  permanently  on  lands  adjoining 
the  "Widow"  Swanson's  habitation.  These  pioneers  who  presently  returned  to 
take  up  claims  included  S.  E.  M.  Carnefix,  Alexander  McKinn,  Arthur  Dawson 
and  one  or  two  others.  Presently  a  new  delegation  arrived,  in  1836,  including 
Thomas  Flynn,  E.  Mullarkey,  Henry  Hulse,  M.  Welsh,  William  Lee,  Leonard 
Lee,  Nathan  Blackamore  and  Aaron  Baker.  The  Irish  section  of  the  new  im- 
migrants settled  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township,  about  four  miles  south  of  the 
present  village  of  Davis,  and  there  founded  a  settlement  which  later  became 
known  as  Irish  Grove. 

Once  the  precedent  was  established,  the  number  of  arrivals  grew.  In  the 
next  year,  1837,  a  large  migration  occurred.  Among  the  newcomers  of  1837  were 
Dr.  F.  S.  Payne,  Nathan  Salsbury,  D.  W.  C.  Mallory,  John  Hoag,  S.  Seeley, 
T.  Seeley,  Peter  Rowe  and  others. 

After  this  the  new  arrivals  were  continuous,  and  the  township  became  quickly 
crowded  with  settlers.  The  Irish  Grove  settlement  continued  to  grow,  and  the 
Hibernian  "squatters"  there  were  joined  by  a  new  delegation,  including  Pat 
Giblin,  Miles  O'Brien,  a  Mr.  Corcoran,  who  afterward  moved  to  Rockford, 
Thomas  Foley,  and  some  relatives  of  the  Mullarkeys.  In  1838  occurred  the  first 
birth  in  the  township,  also  the  first  marriage.  A  son  was  born  to  Albert  Flower, 
who  managed  the  saw  mill  on  Rock  Run,  and  "Pony"  Fletcher  and  Narcisse 
Swanson  were  united  in  holy  bonds  of  matrimony,  the  latter  event  happening  in 
the  fall  of  1838,  the  former  earlier  in  the  year. 

The  streams  of  Rock  Run  township  are  very  swift,  and  have  in  the  past 
afforded  water  power  for  turning  the  wheels  of  a  large  number  of  mills.  Only 
one  of  these  is  now  standing,  a  substantial  stone  structure  at  Epleyanna,  which 
still  continues  in  operation.  In  1837,  a  saw  mill  was  built  on  Rock  Run  in  section 
27,  and  the  same  year  Thomas  J.  Turner  put  up  a  grist  mill  in  section  34,  and 
sold  it  to  Nelson  Salsbury,  who,  in  turn,  sold  it  to  James  Epley.  In  1838,  H.  G. 
Davis  came  to  the  township  with  his  family  and  purchased  the  Rock  Run  saw 
mill,  which  had  been  put  up  the  year  previous  by  Stackhouse,  Carrier  and  Flower. 
Here  the  first  post-office  ever  located  in  the  township  was  soon  established,  with 
H.  G.  Davis  as  postmaster.  In  the  early  part  of  1839,  the  present  Epleyanna 
mills  were  built  by  Josiah  Blackamore  and  Leonard  Lee,  who  later  disposed  of 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  383 

their  holding  to  Conrad  Epley.  A  number  of  smaller  mills  were  built  farther 
south  along  Rock  Run  and  its  tributaries,  but  no  trace  is  to  be  found  of  many 
of  them.  There  was  one,  for  instance,  on  the  Carnefix  farm,  south  of  Davis,  in 
section  28,  the  ruins  of  which  are  still  to  be  seen. 

In  1839  a  large  number  of  arrivals  were  registered.  Among  them  were  Con- 
rad Epley,  who  purchased  the  Epleyanna  mills,  and  from  whom  the  village  of 
Epleyanna  takes  its  name,  Edward  Pratt,  who  afterward  moved  to  Freeport,  M. 
Flower,  Edward  Smith,  who  settled  in  section  13,  Uriah  Boyden,  who  took  up 
a  claim  in  section  30,  Thomas  Fox,  who  went  to  Wisconsin  within  a  short  time, 
and  a  large  number  of  settlers  who  came  to  live  at  Irish  Grove,  among  them 
Thomas  Bree,  Martin  Mullen,  Patrick  Flynn,  Michael  Flynn,  Patrick  Flynn, 
Jr.,  Thomas  Hawley  and  William  Marlowe,  as  well  as  a  number  of  others  whose 
names  have  not  been  preserved  in  the  traditions  of  the  Celtic  settlement. 

In  October,  1839,  occurred  an  event  which  is  most  memorable  in  the  annals 
of  Rock  Run  township.  A  delegation  of  Norwegians  arrived  at  the  settlement 
at  Rock  Run  mills,  and  there  formed  what  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  Nor- 
wegian settlement  in  the  United  States.  Whether  or  not  this  was  the  case,  it 
was  at  least  the  first  Norwegian  settlement  in  this  part  of  the  country.  The  de- 
scendants of  the  early  settlers  are  some  of  them  living  in  Rock  Run  township 
to-day.  Others  have  vanished  from  the  pages  of  the  Rock  Run  annals.  Among 
the  Norwegians  who  settled  at  Rock  Run  Mills  were  C.  Stabeck,  whose  descend- 
ants afterward  became  identified  with  the  history  of  the  village  of  Davis,  Ole 
Anderson,  whose  descendants  are  also  farming  in  Rock  Run  township  to-day, 
Canute  Canuteson,  who  opened  the  first  blacksmith  shop  in  the  township,  Civert 
Oleson  and  Ole  Civertson,  who  opened  the  first  wagon-shop  in  the  vicinity.  They 
were  thrifty  and  hard  working  citizens  and  became  a  credit  to  the  community 
in  which  they  had  chosen  to  settle. 

In  1840,  D.  A.  Baldwin  arrived  and  took  up  a  claim  in  section  40.  In  the  year 
following,  1841,  Captain  Knese  settled  in  section  13.  Fresh  arrivals  were  num- 
erous at  the  various  settlements,  especially  at  the  Norwegian  colony  at  Rock  Run 
Mills  and  at  Irish  Grove.  In  1841,  the  first  post-office  in  the  township,  Rock  Run 
Mills  P.  O.,  was  established  at  H.  G.  Davis'  mill  on  Rock  Run,  with  Mr.  Davis 
himself  as  postmaster.  It  remained  at  the  mills  until  1848,  when  it  was  removed 
to  Jamestown,  or  Grab-all,  near  the  present  site  of  Rock  City.  When  the  West- 
ern Union  Railroad  came  through,  and  Rock  City  became  a  point  of  importance, 
the  post-office  was  again  moved,  and  the  Jamestown  settlement  went  out  of  ex- 
istence. In  the  fall  of  1840,  a  son  of  John  R.  Webb  died,  the  first  recorded  death 
in  Rock  Run  township. 

From  1840  on  the  township  developed  rapidly.  In  the  summer  of  1838,  the 
Catholic  Church  at  Irish  Grove  had  been  erected.  In  1855,  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church,  known  as  the  Rock  Run  Presbyterian  Church,  was  organized,  and 
services  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Dickey.  This  church  was  subsequently 
removed  to  the  village  of  Dakota,  in  Dakota  township. 

In  1857,  the  Western  Union  Railroad,  now  the  C.,  M  &  St.  P.  R.  R.  came 
through  the  township,  and  the  village  of  Davis  and  Rock  City  became  the  points 
of  importance  in  the  township.  Rock  Run  Mills  and  Jamestown,  or  Grab-all, 


384  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

were  fairly  abandoned,  and  the  only  outlying  settlement  of  the  old  days  was 
Irish  Grove. 

Rock  Run  is  to-day  one  of  the  pleasantest  places  both  for  farming  and  resi- 
dence in  these  regions,  and  it  is  hard  to  realize  what  the  pioneers  who  took  up 
their  claims  in  1835  must  have  gone  through  before  they  could  transform  the 
wilds  of  the  prairie  into  a  place  of  habitation.  Times  were  hard  financially,  to 
add  to  the  burden.  The  early  settlers  were  able  to  make  their  living  very  satis- 
factorily, for  there  was  an  abundance  of  game,  and  vegetables  and  fruits  such 
as  the  region  afforded,  they  were  easily  able  to  grow  themselves.  But  there  were 
other  menaces.  The  Indians  had  not  left  the  district,  nor  did  they  for  many 
months  after  the  fields  of  Rock  Run  began  to  assume  the  appearance  of  highly 
cultivated  lands.  Another  enemy,  even  more  subtle  than  the  Indian,  was  the 
snake.  At  one  period  in  the  history  of  Rock  Run  township,  the  whole  district 
is  said  to  have  been  fairly  overrun  with  snakes.  And  they  were  snakes  such  as 
are  never  seen  in  these  parts  to-day — not  the  harmless  garter  snake,  although 
that  species  flourished  also,  but  rattlesnakes,  and  the  deadly  massasauga,  whose 
bite  nearly  resulted  in  the  death  of  more  than  one  venturesome  pioneer. 

Rock  Run  township  is  well  provided  with  streams.  Rock  Run,  a  small  but 
swift  current,  flows  down  from  Rock  Grove  township  at  the  north,  and  is  joined, 
near  Epleyanna  Mills,  by  Rock  Creek,  a  stream  of  equal  size,  which  flows  down 
from  the  northwest.  Rock  Run  pursues  a  southward  course,  receiving  the  waters 
of  a  number  of  smaller  streams,  flows  into  a  small  lake  near  the  new  mill  on 
the  Hunt  property,  east  of  Ridott,  and  thence  into  the  Pecatonica  River,  which 
it  joins  just  above  Farwell's  Bridge.  Brown's  Creek,  a  small  swift  creek,  rises 
in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  township,  and  flows  southeast  into  Rock  Run, 
tarrying  for  a  while  in  a  tiny  lake,  near  its  mouth. 

There  is  only  one  railroad,  the  C.,  M.  &  St.  P.,  which  crosses  the  township 
from  east  to  west,  touching  the  villages  of  Rock  City  and  Davis,  and  running 
in  the  vicinity  of  Epleyanna. 

The  township  is  well  wooded.  There  are  a  number  of  large  groves  and  timber 
lands  left,  but  the  majority  of  them  are  disappearing  under  the  blows  of  the 
axe,  and  the  larger  part  of  the  land  is  under  cultivation. 

DAVIS. 

Davis  is  the  largest  village  of  Rock  Run  township,  and  one  of  the  most 
important  of  the  county.  It  is  of  recent  growth,  being  one  of  those  settlements 
which  the  coming  of  the  railroad  has  "made,"  and  not  a  town  of  natural  growth, 
In  1857,  when  the  Western  Union  Railroad  had  surveyed  its  route  through  the 
county,  and  was  making  all  preparations  for  the  building  of  the  line,  it  became 
very  evident  that  a  station  on  its  route  through  Rock  Run  township  was  most 
necessary  for  the  farmers  of  that  district.  Accordingly,  Samuel  Davis,  John  A. 
Davis,  Thomas  J.  Turner  and  Ludwig  Stanton,  who  owned  the  land  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  present  village,  donated  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which 
was  surveyed  and  platted  for  a  village  site.  This  was  in  1857,  and  the  work  of 
surveying  and  platting  was  not  quite  completed  that  year.  In  1858  everything 
was  finished  and  the  sale  of  lots  began.  That  year  the  railroad  was  finished 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  385 

through  the  village,  but  the  train  that  first  sped  over  the  rails  was  not  run  until 
the  following  year,  on  the  occasion  of  the  state  fair,  which  was  held  in  Freeport 
in  1859. 

The  panic  of  1857,  occurring  at  a  time  when  the  village  of  Davis  was  in  its 
earliest  infancy,  threatened  for  a  time  to  blot  out  the  venture  altogether.  Lots 
were  sold  very  slowly,  although  the  men  interested  in  the  enterprise  made  every 
effort  to  offer  inducements  to  new  settlers.  Streets  were  laid  out  and  made  good 
with  crushed  stone,  sidewalks  were  built,  lots  cleared,  trees  planted,  and  building 
sites  were  offered  for  sale  at  prices  ranging  from  $40  to  $125.  A  few  of  them 
were  sold,  but  the  work  progressed  slowly. 

In  1858,  the  first  store  in  the  village,  known  as  "Davis's  Store,"  was  erected 
by  Samuel  J.  Davis.  In  the  summer  of  1859  the  Evangelical  Church  was  put  up, 
and  other  church  edifices  were  soon  after  erected.  The  stone  schoolhouse  was 
put  up  in  1858,  and  the  first  brick  house  in  the  town  was  finished  for  occupation 
in  1866  by  Ernest  Wendt. 

From  1857  to  1863  there  was  almost  no  growth.  War  and  panic  succeeded 
in  checking  the  progress  of  the  growing  village,  and  for  a  time  it  looked  very 
dark  for  Davis.  It  seemed  at  one  period  as  if  the  village  must  certainly  be  aban- 
doned, but  a  better  time  was  coming.  With  the  close  of  the  war,  business  sud- 
denly revived,  almost  as  if  it  had  never  suffered  a  relapse.  From  1863  to  1869 
a  steady  growth  was  visible,  and  residences,  stores,  and  other  buildings  were 
erected  in  large  numbers.  By  1873,  the  settlement  felt  itself  ready  to  assume  the 
privileges  and  duties  of  a  corporate  community. 

On  Thursday,  May  i,  of  that  year,  an  election  was  held  to  decide  whether  or 
not  the  settlement  should  be  incorporated  under  the  provisions  of  the  general 
law  for  incorporating  villages,  adopted  April  10,  1872.  S.  J.  Davis,  Peter  Mc- 
Hoes  and  John  Gift  acted  as  judges  of  the  election,  and  the  project  was  carried 
by  a  vote  of  thirty-three  to  thirty-one.  Soon  after  an  election  was  held,  and  th* 
first  town  officers  duly  installed  in  their  positions.  The  first  village  officials, 
elected  in  the  year  of  1873,  were: 

E.  A.  Benton,  president;  E.  Clark,  M.  Meinzer,  Thomas  Cronemiller  and 
M.  W.  Kurtz,  members  of  the  board;  M.  W.  Kurtz,  village  clerk;  village  treas- 
urer, no  record  for  1873. 

Since  the  incorporation  of  Davis  as  a  village,  a  development  fully  meeting 
the  expectations  of  the  most  sanguine  of  its  dwellers,  has  taken  place.  Short 
as  the  time  of  its  development  has  been,  Davis  has  attained  to  the  rank  of  fourth 
or  fifth  in  size  among  the  numerous  villages  of  Stephenson  county,  and  is  only 
exceeded  in  size  by  Freeport,  Lena,  Orangeville  and  possibly  Pearl  City.  It  is 
about  equal  in  size  to  Winslow,  Cedarville,  Dakota  and  German  Valley.  Business 
has  never  been  at  all  lively  in  Davis.  There  is  a  grain  elevator  owned  by  H.  A. 
Hillmer,  of  Freeport,  also  a  creamery ;  and  these  two  comprise  practically  the 
only  reasons  for  Davis'  commercial  communication  with  the  outside  world. 

Farmers'  Bank.  The  Farmers'  Bank,  of  Davis,  is  a  substantial  institution 
founded  fifteen  years  ago,  and  since  maintained  on  a  firm  and  solid  basis.  The 
officers  and  directors  are  all  men  of  avowed  business  ability,  and  the  affairs  of 
the  bank  have  been  conducted  with  unimpeachable  sagacity  and  clear-headedness. 


386  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  Fanners'  Bank  was  organized  in  1895  by  T.  Stabeck,  a  descendant  of 
the  C.  Stabeck,  who  immigrated  to  Stephenson  county  with  the  original  Nor- 
wegian colony  and  settled  at  Rock  Run  Mills  P.  O.  in  1839.  The  institution  was 
capitalized  at  $25,000,  which  capital  has  never  been  raised.  The  bank  occupies 
a  brick  structure,  the  most  substantial  on  the  main  street  of  Davis,  a  few  doors 
from  the  hotel.  The  officers  of  the  Farmers'  Bank  at  present  are : 

President,  Fred  Alberstett;  vice-president,  Niles  Pattison;  cashier,  C.  O.  R. 
Stabeck;  directors,  Fred  Alberstett,  Niles  Pattison,  C.  O.  R.  Stabeck,  H.- N. 
Stabeck,  and  O.  H.  Anderson. 

The  Davis  Creamery,  operated  by  J.  F.  Beardsley,  was  established  about  fif- 
teen years  ago,  and  continues  to  do  a  flourishing  business. 

Newspapers  of  Davis.  Davis  has,  at  certain  periods  of  its  history,  supported 
weekly  newspapers.  The  projects  have  all  been  discontinued  for  the  very  ex- 
cellent reason  that  the  village  of  Davis  is  altogether  too  small  to  support  a  news- 
paper, and  there  is  not  the  slightest  probability  that  they  will  ever  be  resuscitated. 

The  Davis  Budget,  started  in  May,  1873,  by  K.  T.  and  K.  C.  Stabeck,  was  a 
quarto  sheet,  independent  as  to  politics,  which  was  published  in  connection  with 
the  Freeport  Budget.  For  five  years,  the  Davis  Budget  was  published  by  Stabeck 
Brothers,  until  they  removed  to  Freeport  in  September,  1878,  and  decided  to 
devote  their  whole  time  to  the  publication  of  the  Freeport  sheet.  They  disposed 
of  their  Davis  interests  to  S.  W.  Tallman,  who  changed  the  name  of  the  paper  to 
the  Davis  Review  and  the  politics  from  independent  to  republican.  Mr.  Tallman 
spent  a  good  deal  of  labor  upon  his  paper,  and  succeeded  in  raising  the  weekly 
circulation  from  a  mere  handful  to  three  hundred  and  fifty.  But  he  soon  dis- 
covered that  a  newspaper  in  a  country  village  was  not  a  paying  proposition.  The 
Davis  Review  was  abandoned,  and  the  unsavory  experiment  has  never  been 
tried  since. 

Churches.  Davis  contains  four  churches,  but  services  are  held  in  only 
three  of  them  at  present. 

First  Methodist  Church.  The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  church  is  the  lead- 
ing church  of  Davis  in  activity  and  in  respect  to  the  size  of  its  congregation  and 
Sunday  school.  Likewise  it  is  one  of  the  oldest.  It  was  organized  in1  June, 
1859,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Rev.  James  McLane,  with  twelve  charter  mem- 
bers. For  three  years  services  were  held  in  the  Davis  schoolhouse,  when  the 
church  leased  the  Evangelical  Chapel,  and  held  services  there  when  the  church 
was  not  in  use  by  the  other  congregation.  In  1866,  four  years  later,  the  struc- 
ture at  present  in  use  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $i,Soo.  Subsequent  repairs,  im- 
provement, and  additions  have  raised  the  value  of  the  building  several  hundred 
dollars. 

For  a  time  the  Davis  church  formed  a  part  of  the  Durand  (Winnebago 
County)  charge,  and  services  were  held  only  on  Sunday  afternoons.  In  the  fall 
of  1878  it  became  an  independent  charge,  with  the  Rev.  F.  W.  Nazarene  as  pas- 
tor. For  a  good  many  years  after  this,  the  Davis  charge  was  a  student  charge, 
but  wtihin  the  last  three  years  it  has  had  a  regularly  ordained  minister.  The 
Rock  City  church  has  become  a  part  of  the  Davis  charge  also. 

The  congregation  at  Davis  numbers  fifty-two  members,  but  a  much  larger 
number  attend  the  services — in  fact,  practically  all  the  English  speaking  portion 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  387 

of  the  community.  The  Sunday  school  numbers  a  few  more — about  sixty-two. 
The  church  building,  together  with  the  lot  upon  which  it  stands  are  valued  at 
about  $3,000.  The  parsonage  which  is  a  comfortable  building,  built  some  time 
ago,  is  valued  at  $1,200. 

The  various  church  societies  are  very  active.  The  Epworth  League  and  the 
Ladies'  Aid  Society  form  a  large  part  of  the  women's  and  young  people's  social 
life  in  Davis.  The  church  is  in  a  very  prosperous  condition  at  present.  Two 
years  ago,  the  church  was  entirely  rebuilt,  inside  and  out,  at  a  cost  of  $450,  $150 
being  expended  upon  the  exterior  repairs,  and  $300  upon  the  interior  frescoing 
and  re-decoration.  New  Methodist  hymnals  were  purchased  recently  by  the 
congregation  to  take  the  place  of  the  old  ones,  which  were  deemed  out  of  date 
and  inappropriate.  The  pastor  in  charge  is  the  Rev.  J.  A.  H.  McLean,  an  Eng- 
lishman, who  came  to  the  Davis  charge  from  Canada  in  January,  1910. 

Evangelical  Association.  The  Evangelical  church  of  Davis  is  the  old- 
est church  of  the  village.  It  was  organized  in  1857,  with  the  following  mem- 
bers :  Thomas  Bond  and  family,  Jacob  Bond  and  family,  Jacob  Weaver,  Michael 
Meinzer,  William  Kramer,  T.  Jenuine,  and  their  families,  and  M.  Abbersted. 
Services  were  conducted  in  various  private  residences  and  in  the  schoolhouse 
until  1862,  when  the  present  church  was  built  at  an  expense  of  $2,500.  It  is  a 
frame  structure,  solid  and  substantial,  without  attempt  at  much  ornamentation 
without  or  within.  Recent  improvements  have  somewhat  raised  the  value  of 
the  property. 

When  the  break  occurred  in  the  Illinois  Conference  and  the  Dubs  faction 
withdrew,  the  latter  built  another  church  in  Davis,  and  the  Evangelical  Associa- 
tion continued  in  possession  of  its  first  church.  Some  changes  were  occasioned, 
however,  notably  in  the  circuit,  which  no  longer  embraced  Rock  City,  but  took 
in  instead  Davis,  Afolkey  and  Ridott.  The  minister  in  charge  of  the  Davis 
church  resides  in  Afolkey.  The  Davis  church  numbers  about  fifty  communi- 
cants, with  a  Sunday  school  of  about  the  same  size.  The  church  property  is 
valued  at  $2,750. 

Evangelical  Lutheran  Church.  The  Lutheran  church  of  Davis  is  probably 
a  thing  of  the  past.  Services  have  not  been  held  in  it  for  some  time  and  al- 
though the  congregation  still  possesses  a  handsome  church  structure  the  church 
is  disorganized  and  broken  up. 

The  Lutheran  church  was  one  of  the  newer  churches  in  Davis,  having  been 
organized  as  late  as  1870  by  the  Rev.  William  Shock,  of  Forreston,  with  eighteen 
members,  of  whom  Joseph  Keller  was  elder,  and  Levi  Ungst  deacon.  For  two 
years  services  were  held  in  the  Methodist  church.  In  1872,  the  present  struc- 
ture was  built,  of  frame  34  x  50,  with  a  steeple  seventy-five  feet  high,  at  a  total 
cost  of  $3,100.  It  was  then  occupied  for  many  years,  but  lately,  as  heretofore 
stated,  services  have  been  discontinued,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that 
they  will  never  be  resumed. 

United  Evangelical  Church.  One  of  the  smaller  churches,  as  well  as  the 
newest,  is  the  United  Evangelical  church.  It  came  into  existence  at  the  time  of 
the  quarrel  in  the  Illinois  Conference,  and  the  Dubs  adherents  of  Davis  withdrew 
to  complete  its  organization.  Services  were  held  in  various  places  until  a  few 
years  ago,  when  the  new  church  building,  a  frame  structure,  was  put  up.  The 


388  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

new  church  is  an  inconsiderable  and  unpretentious  edifice,  built  in  the  most  old- 
fashioned  of  styles.  The  congregation  numbers  about  fifty.  The  Davis  church 
is  on  a  circuit  with  the  Rock  City  church.  The  pastor  is  the  Rev.  J.  Johnson, 
who  came  here  from  Ashton,  Illinois,  on  April  i,  1910. 

Lodges.  The  village  of  Davis  supports  a  large  number  of  lodges,  of  which 
it  is  possible  to  give  only  brief  mention. 

Evening  Star  Lodge,  No.  414  ,A.  F.  &  A.  M.  The  Davis  lodge  of  Masons 
is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  county.  It  was  organized  on  March  11,  1864,  under 
a  dispensation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois.  It  obtained  a  charter  October  5 
of  the  same  year.  The  following  were  the  first  officers :  James  Zuver,  W.  M. ; 
George  Osterhaus,  S.  W. ;  Edward  R.  Lord,  J.  W. ;  Dr.  J.  R.  Hammill,  secre- 
tary; Charles  Wright,  treasurer.  The  lodge  has  always  been  the  most  prosper- 
ous and  progressive  of  the  commuity.  It  occupies  a  handsome  lodge  hall,  and 
has  now  a  membership  of  fifty-two  members.  The  officers  are  W.  M.,  C.  O.  R. 
Stabeck;  secretary,  T.  H.  Briggs. 

Eastern  Star.  The  Eastern  Star  lodge  was  established  in  Davis  seven  years 
ago.  It  has  always  had  a  large  membership,  the  present  roll  amounting  to  about 
thirty-three  members.  The  officers  are:  W.  M.,  Mrs.  William  Kanne;  secre- 
tary, T.  H.  Briggs. 

Davis  Lodge,  No.  376,  I.  0.  O.  F.  The  Odd  Fellows  lodge  of  Davis 
was  organized  September  19,  1880,  with  the  following  members:  Martin  H. 
Davis,  Isaac  Denner,  John  Nagle,  Thomas  Hays,  Alvin  Gestenberger,  and  J.  W. 
Caldwell.  The  officers  were:  Noble  Grand,  John  Nagle;  Vice  Grand,  Martin 
H.  Davis;  treasurer,  Thomas  Hays. 

The  I.  O.  O.  F.  occupies  today  a  lodge  hall  just  off  from  the  main  street, 
which  is  one  of  the  largest  and  best  appointed  in  the  country  towns  of  the  vicin- 
ity. The  membership  is  thirty-four,  and  the  officers :  Noble  Grand,  Arthur 
Wise;  secretary,  A.  A.  Rheingans. 

Rebekah  Degree,  I.  O.  0.  F.,  Faithful  Lodge,  No.  187.  The  Rebekahs  have 
been  in  existence  in  Davis  for  fifteen  years.  The  membership  has  been  fluc- 
tuating, at  times  higher  than  it  is  now.  The  lodge  now  claims  a  membership 
of  twenty-eight,  with  the  following  officers:  Noble  Grand,  Miss  Ella  Degun- 
ther ;  Secretary,  A.  Rheingans. 

R.  N.  A.  The  Royal  Neighbors  have  been  in  existence  for  the  past  four 
years,  have  a  membership  of  twenty-three,  and  the  following  officers :  Oracle, 
Mrs.  A.  Bliss;  Secretary,  Miss  Ella  Degunther. 

Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Davis  Camp,  No.  25.  The  Davis  Camp  of 
the  Modern  Woodmen  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  existence,  having  been  founded 
about  twenty-five  years  ago,  when  the  organization  was  very  young.  The  mem- 
bership is  large,  approximating  fifty-two.  A.  Helmts  is  Counsel,  and  M.  M. 
Kurtz,  Secretary. 

Mystic  Workers,  Davis  Royal  Lodge,  No.  143.  The  Mystic  Workers  first 
came  into  existence  in  Davis  in  1902,  and  have  since  pursued  a  prosperous  and 
upward  path.  The  membership  is  far  larger  than  that  of  any  other  organization 
in  Davis,  embracing  as  many  as  seventy-two  members.  The  officers  for  the 
year  are :  Prefect,  E.  Jenewien ;  Secretary,  Edward  Degunther. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  389 

The  village  of  Davis  supports  a  number  of  stores  and  shops,  a  reasonably 
satisfactory  hostelry,  known  as  the  Davis  Hotel,  two  livery  barns,  etc.  Among 
the  mercantile  establishments,  the  barber  shop  of  Edward  Degunther  is  espe- 
cially to  be  noted.  It  has  been  kept  by  the  Degunther  family  for  nearly  the  last 
half  century,  having  been  kept  by  the  grandfather  of  the  present  proprietor  for 
many  years,  then  by  his  father,  P.  J.  Degunther,  and  now  by  himself. 

The  village  is  said  to  have  a  population  of  about  five  hundred  or  more  in- 
habitants. It  is  reached  from  Freeport  by  the  C,  M.  &  St.  P.  R.  R.,  being  about 
thirteen  miles  distant  by  railroad,  and  twenty  miles  by  carriage  road.  The  vil- 
lage supports  very  good  schools,  the  district  school  building  being  one  of  the 
best  for  miles  around.  It  is  a  two-story  structure,  30  x  20,  which  was  built  in 
1863,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000. 

ROCK  CITY. 

Rock  City,  located  about  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Davis  on  the  line 
of  the  C.,  M.  &  St.  P.  R.  R.,  is  a  city  only  in  name.  It  is  doubtful  if  a  spot 
more  completely  devoid  of  life  is  existent  in  the  county.  The  site  is  not  an  un- 
pleasant one,  for  all  that,  and  the  village  contains  a  central  square,  in  the  middle 
of  which  is  a  tall  windmill,  which  pumps  water  for  the  village  pump  and  water- 
ing trough. 

The  village  was  projected  and  platted  early  in  1859,  upon  the  completion  of 
the  Western  Union  Railroad  through  the  place.  In  reality  the  history  of  Rock 
City  reaches  farther  back  than  1859,  for  the  village  is  a  logical  outgrowth  of  the 
old  Rock  Run  Mills  Post-office,  founded  by  H.  G.  Davis  as  early  as  1841.  In 
1848,  the  Rock  Run  Mills  Post-office  was  moved  to  a  town  called  Jamestown,  or 
Grab-all,  very  near  the  site  of  Rock  City.  Here  it  remained  for  eleven  years, 
until  the  building  of  the  Western  Union  Railroad  through  Rock  City  made 
Grab-all  a  lost  town  and  the  very  site  is  now  almost  forgotten. 

On  January  10,  1859,  George  Raymer  executed  a  contract  with  T.  S.  Wil- 
coxin  and  William  Peterson  for  the  transfer  of  a  certain  section  of  land  for  vil- 
lage purposes.  In  the  same  year  the  village  was  surveyed  and  platted,  and 
lots  were  sold  at  prices  ranging  from  $10  to  $50.  Upon  the  completion  of  the 
railroad,  the  town  began  to  build  up  somewhat,  but  the  settlement  never  suffered 
the  throes  of  a  "boom."  No  considerable  inducements  were  ever  offered  to 
settlers  in  Rock  City,  and  settlers  never  came  there  in  considerable  numbers. 

Rock  City  boasts  of  two  churches  and  a  school,  both  churches  being  sup- 
plied by  ministers  from  Davis. 

United  Evangelical  Church.  This  church  somewhat  dominates  the  religious 
element  of  the  village.  It  was  originally  a  church  of  the  Evangelical  Associa- 
tion, having  been  founded  in  1868.  The  present  edifice  was  completed  and 
dedicated  in  1869,  under  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  H.  Rohland  at  a  cost  of 
$2,200.  The  pulpit  is  now  occupied  by  the  Rev.  J.  Johnson,  of  Davis.  The 
number  of  communicants  approximates  thirty-five,  with  a  Sunday  school  of 
about  the  same  proportions. 

Methodist  Church.  In  the  fall  of  1878  a  number  of  Methodist  believers  of 
Rock  City  connected  themselves  with  the  Davis  circuit,  holding  services  in  the 


390  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

schoolhouse  and  the  Evangelical  Church  until  the  summer  of  1879,  when  the 
present  church  building  was  completed  and  occupied.  Its  cost,  including  a  bell, 
was  $1,500.  The  congregation  at  Rock  City  has  always  been  small;  the  pres- 
ent membership  is  about  a  dozen.  No  Sunday  school  is  maintained.  It  is  alto- 
gether probable  that  Methodist  services  will  be  discontinued  at  Rock  City,  the 
size  of  the  Methodist  community  being  too  small  to  warrant  their  further  con- 
tinuance. 

Rock  City  presents  a  commonplace  appearance,  quite  like  that  of  any  other 
unprogressive  country  village  of  the  present  day  and  age.  There  are  a  few 
very  handsome  residences,  one  or  two  stores,  a  railroad  station,  together  with 
the  buildings  connected  therewith,  and  there  the  catalogue  ends.  There  has 
never  been  any  large  influx  of  population,  and  probably  never  will  be.  The  fact 
that  the  village  is  hemmed  in  between  Davis  and  Dakota,  and  is,  withal,  only 
about  eleven  miles  from  Freeport  by  railroad,  and  seventeen  by  road  precludes 
the  possibility  of  growth.  The  population  is  not  over  one  hundred. 

EPLEYANNA. 

Epleyanna  is  a  small  settlement  on  the  road  between  Rock  City  and  Davis. 
It  scarcely  deserves  the  title  of  village,  f6r  there  is  no  general  store,  and  there 
never  has  been  a  post-office.  There  is  a  mill  which  was  built  in  1837,  and,  with 
many  improvements  and  changes,  is  still  standing.  It  is  a  stone  structure,  three 
stories  in  height,  and  is  turned  by  the  current  of  Rock  Run. 

Among  the  features  of  the  settlement  are  the  German  Evangelical  Church, 
Rev.  Mr.  Beerbohm,  pastor,  and  the  Epleyanna  School.  The  settlement  com- 
prises a  few  less  than  a  dozen  houses  and  a  population  of  about  thirty  inhabi- 
tants. 

The  settlement  takes  its  name  from  Conrad  Epley,  who  early  in  the  history 
of  the  township  purchased  the  Epleyanna  Mills  and  the  land  surrounding  the 
regions.  His  descendants  have  moved  to  other  parts  of  the  county  since  his 
death. 

IRISH  GROVE. 

Irish  Grove  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlements  of  the  county.  It  was  gath- 
ered about  1836  by  a  company  of  Irish  immigrants,  whose  descendants  still  re- 
side in  the  vicinity.  There  were  the  Mullarkeys,  the  Foleys,  the  O'Briens,  and 
many  others.  Here,  at  Irish  Grove,  one  of  the  five  Catholic  churches  of  Ste- 
phenson  County  was  established  in  1838.  Father  Petiot,  a  Galena  priest,  as- 
sisted in  the  raising  of  the  first  structure,  and  he  is  said  to  have  walked  on  foot 
from  the  western  town  to  preach  the  Word  of  God  to  the  early  settlers. 

The  old  church  did  service  until  1862,  when  the  second  structure  was  built. 
The  old  church  had  been  a  ramshackle  affair  with  only  two  pews,  and  the  1862 
edifice  was  not  much  better.  Finally,  in  1895,  under  the  leadership  of  Father 
Sullivan,  the  Irish  Grove  people  built  the  present  handsome  frame  structure. 
Irish  Grove  has  no  store  or  post-office,  and  only  about  twenty  settlers,  but  the 
vicinity  is  replete  with  Celts  and  adherents  of  Catholicity. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  391 

SILVER  CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 

Silver  Creek  township  is  adjacent  to  the  city  of  Freeport,  and  is  consequently 
a  section  of  considerable  importance  from  every  standpoint.  It  is  bounded  on 
the  north  by  the  Pecatonica  River,  on  the  east  by  Ridott  township,  on  the  west 
by  Florence  township,  and  on  the  south  by  Ogle  county.  The  township  is  some- 
what larger  than  the  surveyors'  customary  thirty-six  square  miles,  owing  to  the 
extensive  curves  of  the  Pecatonica  River.  All  told  the  township  embraces 
twenty-two  thousand  and  sixty-nine  acres  of  land,  or  about  thirty-seven  and  a 
half  square  miles. 

The  township  is  well  supplied  with  water.  Yellow  Creek  courses  across  the 
northwestern  corner  of  Silver  Creek  and  flows  into  the  Pecatonica  two  or  three 
miles  east  of  Freeport.  Yellow  Creek  is  joined  on  its  way  by  three  smaller 
creeks,  all  of  which  rise  within  Silver  Creek  township,  and  the  Pecatonica  is 
joined  by  one  inconsiderable  stream  which  rises  in  the  southern  part  of  Ridott 
township,  flows  into  Silver  Creek,  and  thence  north  through  the  eastern  part  of 
the  township  to  the  river. 

Three  railroads  cross  Silver  Creek  township:  the  Illinois  Central,  with  two 
branches,  the  main  line  crossing  the  extreme  northern  portion  from  west  to  east, 
and  the  south  branch  traversing  the  town  from  north  to  south,  from  Freeport  to 
Baileyville;  the  Chicago  and  Great  Western  which  crosses  the  central  part  of 
the  township  from  east  to  west ;  and  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul,  which 
crosses  the  northwestern  corner  and  then  proceeds  into  Florence  township. 

The  roads  are  good  and  the  school  and  church  facilities  of  Silver  Creek  are 
particularly  excellent.  The  proximity  of  the  township  to  Freeport  has  made  the 
growth  of  any  large  town  an  impossibility,  and  the  section  is  devoid  of  settle- 
ments except  for  a  tiny  one  at  South  Freeport,  a  station  at  Dunbar,  and  the  out- 
lying sections  of  Baileyville,  whose  post-office  is  in  Ogle  county. 

The  first  permanent  settlement  in  Silver  Creek  township  was  made  in  August, 
Z835,  by  Thomas  Craine,  who  took  up  a  claim  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
township,  built  a  log  cabin,  and  made  a  home  for  his  family,  which  consisted  of 
a  wife  and  three  children.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  Augustus  Bonner  settled 
on  section  34,  near  the  mouth  of  Yellow  Creek.  However  the  land  did  not  be- 
long to  him,  and,  during  the  winter  of  1836,  he  relinquished  the  claim  and  the 
cabin  which  he  built  upon  it  to  the  rightful  owner,  Thomas  Covel.  He  himself 
went  on  farther  west. 

In  the  spring  of  1836,  a  large  number  of  new  settlers  arrived,  Charles  Walker, 
F.  D.  Bulkeley,  a  Mr.  Hammand,  and,  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  Sidney  Steb- 
bins,  Joel  Baker,  Loran  Snow  and  a  Mrs.  Brown.  Of  these,  Charles  Walker 
was  a  notorious  character,  and  his  subsequent  history  was  particularly  interest- 
ing. It  seems  that  he  was  employed  by  Thomas  Craine,  the  pioneer  settler,  to 
tutor  his  children,  at  the  salary  of  $75  a  quarter.  It  was  a  mere  pittance,  of 
course,  and  evidently  Walker  did  not  think  that  it  was  enough  to  meet  his 
needs,  for  he  began  to  employ  his  spare  moments  in  the  profitable  enterprise  of 
horse  stealing.  Unfortunately,  his  career  was  short  lived.  He  was  soon  caught, 
and  sent  to  the  penitentiary  at  Alton. 


392  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  next  year  was  a  fallow  period  in  Silver  Creek's  development.  Settlers 
came  in  large  numbers  to  other  portions  of  Stephenson  County,  but  very  few 
to  Silver  Creek.  In  1837  Seth  Scott  settled  here,  near  Craine's  Grove,  Hiram 
Hill,  at  a  point  on  Yellow  Creek,  Major  John  Howe,  west  of  Craine's  Grove,  I. 
Forbes,  in  the  extreme  eastern  portion,  on  the  old  Stage  Road  near  the  Ridott 
town  line.  Two  deaths  occurred  in  1837,  those  of  Thomas  Milburn  and  a  man 
named  Reed,  who  were  drowned  while  attempting  to  cross  the  Pecatonica  River. 
These  were  the  first  recorded  deaths  in  Silver  Creek  Township.  Reed,  accord- 
ing to  tradition,  had  only  arrived  in  the  township  a  few  months  previous. 

John  Milburn  arrived  in  1837,  and  in  1838  John  Walsh,  John  and  Thomas 
Warren,  the  latter  of  whom  settled  northeast  of  Craine's  Grove,  Isaac  Scott, 
Samuel  Liebshitz,  Christian  Strockey,  Christian  Strockey,  Jr.  Frederick 
Strockey,  Chauncey  Stebbins,  and  others,  all  of  whom  made  their  claims  in  the 
extreme  eastern  part  of  the  township.  And  so  it  continued  for  about  five  years 
more.  '  No  one  ventured  into  the  western  part  of  the  township,  whether  from 
ignorance  of  the  fertility  of  the  land  or  from  some  other  motive  will  probably 
never  be  known.  In  1839  another  delegation  arrived. 

The  '39-ers  included  Jacob  Hoebel,  A.  Gund,  Valentine  Stoskopf,  Ja- 
cob Shoup,  Jacob  Bartell,  D.  E.  Pattee,  "Jock"  Pattee,  and  others,  among  them 
a  man  named  Judkins.  Shortly  after  the  arrival  of  this  delegation,  Mrs.  "Jock" 
Pattee  committed  suicide  by  hanging  herself  to  a  tree  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
township  on  Gallows  Hill. 

In  the  summer  of  1838  the  first  birth  in  the  township  occurred.  The  dis- 
tinguished infant  was  Jacob  Thompson,  the  son  of  William  and  Lucinda  Thomp- 
son. Nearly  three  years  later  the  first  marriage  in  Silver  Creek  was  solemnized, 
that  of  Frederick  Baker  and  Miss  A.  Craine.  Miss  Craine  was  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  Craine,  and  the  wedding  ceremony  was  performed  at  her  father's  resi- 
dence by  Squire  Thomas.  The  date  is  said  to  have  been  February  n,  1841. 

From  that  time  forward  the  township  began  to  settle  up.  Two  years  later, 
in  1843,  a  large  number  of  settlements  were  made  in  the  western  part  of  Silver 
Creek,  that  hitherto  neglected  portion  of  Stephenson  County.  Ever  since,  Sil- 
ver Creek  has  been  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  populous  townships  of  the 
county.  Many  of  the  early  settlers  were  Germans,  a  thritfy  and  desirable  class 
of  citizens,  who  have  ever  since  predominated  in  the  annals  of  Silver  Creek. 

SOUTH  FREEPORT. 

South  Freeport,  formerly  known  as  Dunbar,  is  the  Freeport  station  of  the 
Chicago  &  Great  Western  Railroad.  It  is  located  at  the  point  where  the  rail- 
road approaches  nearest  to  Freeport,  and  consists  merely  of  railroad  buildings 
— the  passenger  and  freight  offices,  with  their  atached  buildings.  A  few  houses 
have  sprung  up  in  the  vicinity,  formerly  a  tiny  settlement,  but  there  is  no  store 
or  post-office,  and  the  population  of  the  whole  village,  if  it  can  be  called  a  village, 
does  not  exceed  twenty  or  twenty-five  inhabitants. 

When  the  Great  Western  originally  surveyed  its  line  through  Stephenson 
County,  much  dissatisfaction  was  felt  because  the  railroad  did  not  intend  to  enter 
Freeport.  The  directors  of  the  line  received  a  great  many  petitions  from  Free- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  393 

port  people,  but  nothing  served  to  alter  their  course.  When  the  line  was  fin- 
ished, however,  they  did  condescend  to  build  the  old  "Dunbar"  station  near  the 
point  where  their  tracks  crossed  the  south  branch  of  the  Illinois  Central.  The 
name  was  subsequently  changed  to  "South  Freeport."  The  station  is  connected 
with  Freeport  by  a  stage  line.  Stages  leave  the  Rest  Room,  at  the  corner  of 
Van  Buren  and  Exchange  Streets,  in  time  to  connect  with  the  various  Great 
Western  trains.  A  short  time  ago  automobiles  were  substituted  for  the  stages, 
but  they  are  now  doing  service  elsewhere,  and  the  South  Freeport  traffic  is  again 
via  stage  line. 

DUNBAR. 

Dunbar  is  no  longer  a  village.  At  one  time  there  were  prospects  for  the 
establishment  and  building  of  a  prosperous  country  village,  but  the  proximity 
of  the  place  to  Freeport,  and  the  unsatisfactory  nature  of  the  site  precluded  any 
such  possibility.  There  is  now  only  a  railway  platform  along  the  side  of  the 
tracks  and  a  sign-board  to  denote  the  place  where  Dunbar  might  have  been.  A 
declining  spur  connects  the  Illinois  Central  tracks  with  those  of  the  Great  West- 
ern. A  few  hundred  feet  south  of  Dunbar  is  the  Oakdale  Campmeeting  Ground 
of  the  Evangelical  Association. 


BAILEYVILLE. 

Baileyville  proper  is  not  in  Stephenson  County,  but  is  located  for  the  greater 
part  in  Ogle  County.  A  northern  addition,  however,  known  as  Knapp's  Addi- 
tion, extends  into  Silver  Creek  Township.  It  is  said  that  plans  were  once  made 
to  remove  the  Baileyville  post-office  from  Ogle  to  Stephenson  County,  and  trans- 
fer the  business  section  of  the  town  thither.  Extensive  plans  were  immediately 
made  for  the  establishment  of  a  village,  but  for  some  reason  none  of  them  ever 
materialized.  Obviously  it  was  altogether  impossible  to  try  to  found  a  village 
where  there  was  no  natural  reason  for  its  existence,  and  where  no  settlers  wished 
to  take  up  their  abode.  Thus  the  experiment  was  a  gloomy  failure,  and  Ste- 
phenson County  suffered  the  loss  of  a  possible  additional  village  to  its  already 
large  quota  of  settlements.  The  village  of  Baileyville  today  embraces  about 
one  hundred  inhabitants,  a  dozen  or  more  of  whom  live  in  Silver  Creek  Town- 
ship. 

LANCASTER  TOWNSHIP. 

Next  to  Freeport,  Lancaster  is  probably  the  most  important  township  of  the 
county  from  a  political  standpoint.  It  comprises  a  territory  of  about  thirty-three 
square  miles,  or  about  17,000  acres  of  improved  land.  The  township  is  irreg- 
ular in  shape,  being  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  Pecatonica  River,  whose  ir- 
regular and  meandering  curves  make  .the  surveying  of  the  township  and  the  cal- 
culation of  its  area  a  matter  of  approximation,  and  difficult  in  the  extreme.  The 
soil  is  rich  and  the  township  contains  some  of  the  best  farming  land  in  the 
county.  The  extreme  southern  portion  is  not  so  valuable,  owing  to  the  fact 


394  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

that  the  river  is  apt  to  overflow  its  banks  and  render  a  great  part  of  the  adjoin- 
ing fields  useless  and  swampy. 

The  history  of  Lancaster  Township  begins  in  1835,  with  the  migration  of 
Benjamin  Goddard,  his  wife,  John  Goddard,  and  John  Jewell,  who  came  to  this 
county  in  1835,  and  settled  in  Central  Precinct,  afterward  Lancaster  Town- 
ship. It  was  in  the  winter  of  the  year,  in  the  month  of  December,  when  the 
immigrants  arrived,  and  the  prospect  of  the  snow-covered  fields  and  the  deso- 
late woods  must  have  been  far  from  heartening.  To  Benjamin  Goddard  belongs 
the  credit  of  making  the  first  permanent  settlement  in  the  township,  although  ha 
was  only  one  of  a  company  which  came  in  1835.  Most  of  his  associates,  how- 
ever, became  identified  with  Freeport  Township,  which  was  afterward  cut  off 
from  the  southwestern  corner  of  Lancaster  and  he  alone  remained  in  the  out- 
lying country. 

For  several  years  the  settlers  neglected  Lancaster,  or,  if  they  settled  there 
at  all,  did  not  remain  permanently.  For  several  months  the  newcomers  had  no 
neighbors  at  all  except  William  Baker  and  Levi  Robey,  who  had  "squatted"  in 
Buckeye  and  Harlem  Townships.  As  far  as  neighbors  in  Lancaster  were  con- 
cerned, there  were  none.  In  1836,  Levi  Lucas,  Robert  Jones,  and  John  Hoag 
visited  Lancaster,  but  apparently  were  not  pleased  with  the  prospects,  for  they 
stayed  a  brief  time  only,  and  then  removed  to  Buckeye  and  Rock  Run  Town- 
ships. 

In  the  same  year  David  Neidigh  settled  for  a  short  time  and  then  packed  up 
his  goods  and  moved  into  Buckeye.  In  1837  a  few  permanent  settlers  arrived. 
George  Hathaway  and  Robert  Hathaway  came  in  and  entered  their  claims  in 
Sections  n  and  32.  In  1838  Elias  Macomber  settled  in  Lancaster,  and  in  the 
same  year  a  Mr.  Sedam  built  his  log  hut  in  the  far  northern  part  of  the  town- 
ship on  the  town  line  of  Buckeye  and  Lancaster.  In  1839,  L.  O.  Crocker,  who 
has  previously  resided  in  Freeport,  moved  into  Lancaster,  and  later  Joseph  F. 
McKibben  and  Dr.  John  Charlton  settled  in  Section  16,  Andrew  Sproule  in  Sec- 
tion 12,  very  near  to  the  present  site  of  the  village  of  Winneshiek,  John  Stotzer 
in  Section  24,  Samuel  Smith,  Jr.,  in  Section  24,  and  later,  in  1840,  W.  B.  Mitchell 
and  Jacob  and  Mycene  Mitchell,  who  took  up  extensive  claims  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  township. 

On  March  31,  1836,  occurred  the  first  birth  in  the  township,  that  of  Lucy 
In  the  same  year  the  first  marriage  occurred,  Thatcher  Blake  being  united  with 
Goddard.  In  the  winter  of  1837  occurred  the  first  death,  that  of  Reagan  Lewis. 
Jane  Goodhue. 

From  1840  on,  the  history  of  Lancaster  Township  possesses  no  distinctive 
features.  It  was  quite  the  same  of  Lancaster  as  of  the  rest  of  the  county. 
Settlers  began  to  pour  in  in  large  numbers  and  the  land  was  all  quickly  taken 
up.  With  the  completion  of  the  railroad  to  Freeport,  the  rural  portions  of  Lan- 
caster suffered  a  relapse,  as  many  of  the  farmers  went  to  settle  in  the  city. 
Later  on  this  loss  was  hardly  noticed,  so  quickly  were  the  vacant  places  filled, 
and  today  it  is  one  of  the  most  populous  townships  of  the  county. 

Lancaster  Township  has  always  been  the  scene  of  considerable  political  ac- 
tivity. It  is  strongly  republican  in  politics,  and  many  of  the  Lancastrian  farmers 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  395 

have  filled  offices  in  the  county  and  state.     Next  to  Freeport  itself,  Lancaster  is 
always  looked  upon  as  the  principal  political  hot-bed  of  the  county. 

There  are  no  important  streams  in  Lancaster  Township,  if  we  except  the 
Pecatonica  River,  which  forms  the  southern  boundary,  and  is  hence  not  within 
the  township.  A  small  and  unimportant  stream  known  as  Lancaster  Creek 
rises  in  Dakota  Township  to  the  north,  flows  south  through  the  eastern  part  of 
Lancaster  Township  and  through  the  village  of  Winneshiek — thence  into  Ridott 
Township,  where  it  joins  the  Pecatonica  River.  Three  railroads  enter  Lan- 
caster Township,  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  R.  R.,  which  traverses  the 
entire  township  diagonally  from  northeast  to  southwest,  the  Chicago  &  North- 
western R.  R.,  which  crosses  the  extreme  southern  part  of  the  township  from 
west  to  east,  just  north  of  the  Pecatonica  River,  and  the  Rockford  &  Interurban 
Electric  Railway,  which  runs  parallel  with  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  tracks. 

Owing  to  the  proximity  of  Lancaster  Township  to  the  city  of  Freeport,  there 
are  several  institutions  properly  to  be  connected  with  the  life  of  the  city,  which 
deserve  mention  within  a  history  of  the  township.  There  is,  for  instance,  the 
Freeport  Country  Club. 

The  Freeport  Country  Club  was  founded  in  the  summer  of  1909  by  a  com- 
pany of  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  Freeport  who  were  desirous  of  easily  and  com- 
fortably enjoying  the  pleasures  to  be  derived  from  sojourning  in  the  rural  dis- 
tricts. These  adherents  of  the  simple  life  leased  a  large  territory  of  land  be- 
longing to  the  Maynard  farm,  and  thereon  erected  a  small  and  unpretentious 
but  comfortable  and  well  appointed  country  club  house.  The  site  is  most  beau- 
tiful, occupying  a  considerable  extent  of  hilly  lands  completely  covered  with  a 
dense  growth  of  forest.  The  club  house,  a  rustic  one-story  structure,  is  located 
at  the  edge  of  the  woods,  on  the  very  crest  of  the  hill,  from  which  the  distant 
spires  of  Freeport  are  visible  five  miles  away. 

The  institution  is  so  new  that  very  little  has  yet  been  done  in  the  way  of  im- 
proving the  land.  The  site  offers  great  opportunities,  however,  to  the  landscape 
gardener.  The  woods  are  most  beautiful,  covering  the  sloping  sides  of  two  hills 
with  a  thick  woody  ravine  between  them,  where  the  timber  is  so  thick  that  the 
sunlight  barely  filters  in  between  the  boughs,  and  where  it  is  cool  and  so  dark 
that  the  matted  leaves  and  grass  scarcely  dry  from  one  shower  to  another. 
Part  of  the  timber  has  been  cleared  away,  and  up  on  the  hilltop  a  tennis  court 
has  been  laid  out.  Swings,  garden  chairs,  etc.,  have  been  placed  about  the  clu5 
house  grounds,  and  golf  links  are  projected  for  the  coming  year. 

Forest  Park.  Forest  Park's  career  begins  with  the  building  of  the  Rock- 
ford-Freeport  electric  line.  Previous  to  the  building  of  that  railroad  there 
were  no  pleasant  picnic  grounds  within  easy  reach  of  the  city.  The  managers 
of  the  interurban  conceived  the  scheme  of  establishing  a  pleasure  park  some- 
where along  their  line,  and  entered  into  negotiations  for  the  securing  of  a  suita- 
ble spot.  They  found  a  ready  co-operator  in  the  person  of  F.  B.  Stoessiger,  who 
owns  a  farm  on  the  River  Road  about  three  miles  east  of  Freeport. 

The  farm  of  Mr.  Stoessiger  is  well  known  as  one  of  the  most  picturesque 
spots  in  the  county.  It  lies  cramped  between  the  river  and  the  Ridott  Road, 
and  is  covered  in  part  by  a  thick  grove  of  trees.  The  old  farm  house  is  an 
early  stone  structure,  built  over  half  a  century  ago.  It  is  built  close  to  the  high- 


396  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

way  and  clinging  to  the  side  of  a  steep  hill.  Down  behind  the  farm  house  is 
the  old  spring  house,  a  most  interesting  landmark  and  one  of  the  few  spring 
houses  left  in  this  part  of  the  country.  The  water  which  gushes  up  from  the 
sand  bottom  is  clear  and  deliciously  cool,  and  the  spring  house  has  become  of 
late  years  a  Mecca  for  picnickers.  In  the  grove  across  the  tracks  from  the 
spring  house  Forest  Park  was  built.  The  buildings  consist  of  a  few  small 
sheds  and  outbuildings  for  shelter  in  case  of  rain,  a  lemonade  and  pop  corn 
stand,  which  is  occupied  only  on  picnic  days,  a  speaker's  stand,  and  a  number  of 
tables  and  benches  for  picnickers.  The  grove  winds  along  the  banks  of  the  river, 
and  affords  a  most  delightful  spot  for  picnics.  It  has  become  the  custom  of  late 
ears  for  a  number  of  Freeport  fraternal  organizations  to  hold  their  annual 
picnics  at  Forest  Park,  and  many  Sunday  school  and  private  picnics  are  held 
there  as  well. 

There  are  also  a  number  of  private  parks  and  picnic  grounds  along  the  river 
near  the  electric  line,  but  none  are  especially  deserving  of  mention. 

WINNESHIEK. 

Winneshiek,  a  village  of  recent  growth,  is  the  only  settlement  of  Lancaster 
Township.  It  is  located  in  the  extreme  eastern  part  of  the  township,  about  three 
miles  south  of  the  village  of  Dakota,  and  eight  miles  from  Freeport.  Formerly 
Winneshiek  supported  a  postoffice  and  many  of  the  farmers  of  the  surround- 
ing country  came  here  for  their  mail.  With  the  advent  of  the  rural  free  de- 
livery system,  Winneshiek  post-office  was  discontinued,  but  the  general  store 
continues  to  do  a  prosperous  business  among  the  farmers  of  the  vicinity. 

The  town  site  is  attractive,  the  group  of  houses  being  located  at  the  foot  of 
a  rather  steep  hill,  and  surrounded  by  a  small  grove  of  trees.  Lancaster  Creek 
courses  through  the  village  on  its  way  southward  to  the  Pecatonica.  Since 
the  removal  of  the  post-office,  Winneshiek  is  deprived  of  all  its  former  impor- 
tance as  a  business  centre,  but  it  still  has  a  population  of  fifty  or  more,  and  a 
store  which  is  doing  a  steady  paying  business. 

The  village  supports  a  church  and  school.  There  are  also  two  other  churches 
in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Winneshiek,  as  well  as  three  or  four  schools 
within  a  radius  of  three  or  four  miles.  The  village  is  best  reached  from  Free- 
port  by  train  to  Dakota,  and  thence  by  carriage,  or  by  carriage  direct  from  Free- 
port,  driving  through  eight  miles  of  the  most  attractive  cultivated  land  of  Ste- 
phenson  County. 

HARLEM  TOWNSHIP. 

Harlem  is  one  of  the  central  townships  of  the  county  and  one  of  the  most 
important  in  every  respect.  It  was  settled  fourth  in  point  of  date  in  the  county, 
and  has  always  been  an  important  factor  in  the  social  and  political  life  of  Ste- 
phenson  County. 

As  far  as  can  be  learned,  the  first  settler  who  came  into  Harlem  Township 
there  to  remain  permanently  was  Miller  Preston,  who  hailed  from  Gallipolis, 
Ohio.  Mr.  Miller  first  came  to  the  county  in  1833,  en  route  from  Dixon  to 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  397 

Gallipolis,  by  a  roundabout  route  prospecting.  The  land  in  Harlem  Township 
looked  promising,  and  he  determined  to  settle  down  there.  But  it  took  some 
time  to  arrange  his  business  affairs,  at  home  in  Gallipolis  in  such  shape  that  he 
could  make  the  move.  He  was  engaged  in  the  tanning  business  in  the  Ohio 
town,  and  he  found  it  necessary  to  complete  tanning  a  quantity  of  hides!  for 
which  he  had  made  a  contract  before  going  on  his  prospecting  tour.  So  long  did 
it  take  him  to  thoroughly  straighten  out  affairs  before  leaving  for  the  west, 
that  it  was  1835,  fully  two  years  later,  before  he  set  out  for  his  future  home. 
At  a  point  on  the  Galena  stage  road  he  built  his  cabin  and  set  up  his  claim.  The 
township  where  his  land  lay  was  then  a  part  of  Lancaster  Township,  and  had, 
only  a  short  time  before,  been  part  of  the  old  Central  Precinct.  Soon  the  east- 
ern section  of  the  township  was  portioned  off  into  Lancaster  Township  and  the 
western  half  took  its  present  name  of  Harlem. 

Harlem  Township  has  always  been  noted  for  the  particular  attractiveness 
of  its  natural  scenery.  At  the  time  when  Miller  Preston  built  his  log  cabin,  for 
which  he  was  obliged  to  hew  the  heavy  logs  from  the  adjacent  forests,  the  coun- 
try is  said  to  have  been  surpassingly  beautiful.  The  region  from  the  earliest 
times  was  noted  for  its  picturesqueness,  and  it  was  this,  perhaps,  which  drew  to 
its  confines  a  large  band  of  Indians.  As  late  as  1840  the  Indians  were  in  full 
sway  in  the  region,  and  they  held  a  large  camp — Winnebagoes  and  Pottawatto- 
mies — at  the  confluence  of  Richland  Creek  and  the  Pecatonica  River. 

In  the  fall,  after  Miller  Preston's  arrival,  came  William  Baker,  who  settled 
in  the  southeastern  corner  of  the  township,  and  the  party  with  Benjamin  God- 
dard,  all  of  whom  settled  in  the  part  of  the  township  which  afterward  became 
Lancaster.  In  1836  Elias  Macomber  arrived,  but  he,  too,  settled  in  the  Lancaster 
portion.  A  year  later,  in  1837,  a  large  number  of  immigrants  came  to  Harlem 
Township:  John  Edwards,  Rezin,  Levi,  and  Thompson  Wilcoxin,  Levi  and 
John  Lewis,  and  others.  Levi  Wilcoxin  soon  after  built  a  mill  on  the  banks  of 
Richland  Creek  on  the  site  of  the  present  Scioto  Mills.  John  Lewis  put  in  the 
water  wheel  of  the  new  mill,  and  among  the  other  newcomers  who  assisted  in 
the  labor  of  building  were:  John  Edwards,  George  Cockrell,  William  Goddard, 
Alpheus  Goddard,  Peter  Smith,  Wesley  Bradford,  Homer  Graves,  and  John 
Anscomb.  In  the  month  of  August  of  the  same  year  the  mill  was  finished  and 
commenced  to  run. 

P.  L.  Wright  was  a  newcomer  of  the  year  1838.  He  settled  on  a  claim  pur- 
chased of  William  Robey,  who  had  come  a  short  time  previous  with  E.  H.  D. 
Sanborn.  Mr.  Sanborn  owned  a  farm  a  half  mile  in  area  which  he  subse- 
quently sold  to  George  Furst  for  $2,800.  In  the  same  year  came  William  Pres- 
ton, who  located  his  claim  on  the  banks  of  the  Pecatonica,  Mathew  Bridenhall, 
and  a  number  of  others.  Lewis  Preston  established  his  farm  in  Section  10,  and 
had  not  been  in  Stephenson  County  very  long  when  a  little  daughter  was  born  to 
him,  the  first  recorded  birth  in  Harlem  Township. 

In  1839  Robert  Young  arrived  in  Harlem,  near  the  mouth  of  Cedar  Creek 
in  the  northeast  portion  of  the  township.  In  the  same  year  Benjamin  Bennett 
came.  In  February,  1839,  occurred  the  death  of  Mrs.  William  Preston,  who  was 
buried  on  the  farm  of  her  husband,  William  Preston,  in  Section  15.  This  was 
the  first  death  in  Harlem  Township. 


398  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

In  1839  Thomas  Cockrell  came  to  Stephenson  County,  and  settled  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Pecatonica  in  Harlem  Township,  near  the  present  site  of  Scioto  Mills, 
which  was  for  a  time  known  as  Cockrell  Post-office,  from  the  fact  that  Thomp- 
son Cockrell  and  his  relatives  held  extensive  farms  in  the  immediate  neighbor- 
hood. Thompson  Cockrell,  or  "Tom"  Cockrell,  as  he  was  familiarly  known 
to  the  people  of  the  vicinity,  died  only  recently,  at  the  ripe  age  of  eighty-six. 
He  was  a  familiar  character  in  Freeport,  and  could  be  seen  almost  any  pleasant 
day  sitting  about  the  court-house  clad  in  his  red  flannel  shirt,  for  which  he  was 
famous.  "Tom"  Cockrell  was  proprietor  for  many  years  of  the  Scioto  Flouring 
Mills  at  Scioto  Mills  Post-office. 

From  the  settlement  of  "Tom"  Cockrell  in  Harlem  Township  the  immigrants 
began  to  be  numerous,  and  the  "modern  history"  of  the  township  begins.  After 
1845  there  is  very  little  distinguishing  about  the  history  of  Harlem  Township. 
Soon  the  railroad  came  through,  the  old  Chicago  &  Galena  Union  Railroad,  af- 
terward sold  to  and  made  a  part  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  and  immediately 
land  prices  in  Harlem  Township  took  an  upward  jump.  Nor  have  they  ever 
gone  down.  Land  in  Harlem  continues  to  be  most  valuable,  and  in  respect  of 
prices  cannot  be  matched  anywhere  else  in  the  county,  although  Lancaster, 
Rock  Grove  and  Buckeye  contain  farm  lands  which  are  the  equal  of  Harlem  in 
every  respect. 

Harlem  Township  is  fairly  covered  with  a  network  of  streams,  large  and 
small.  The  Pecatonica  River  flows  through  the  township  diagonally  from  south- 
east to  northwest.  It  is  joined  by  a  mutlitude  of  smaller  streams,  such  as  Rich- 
land  Creek,  which  is  probably  the  swiftest  stream  in  the  county,  and  has  in  the 
past  afforded  water  power  for  turning  numerous  mills,  Cedar  Creek,  which 
flows  into  Richland  and  thence  to  the  Pecatonica,  Preston's  Creek,  a  small 
stream  which  makes  its  way  into  the  river  from  the  west,  and  a  large  number  of 
smaller  rills,  which  join  the  Pecatonica  and  its  tributaries,  mostly  from  the  east- 
ern side. 

Only  one  railroad  traverses  Harlem  Township,  but  that  railroad  possesses 
two  branches.  The  main  line  of  the  Illinois  Central  runs  through  Harlem  from 
east  to  west,  and  the  northern  branches,  which  run  to  Madison  and  Dodgeville, 
leave  the  main  line  at  West  Junction  and  thence  run  side  by  side  for  about 
four  miles  into  Buckeye  Township,  where  they  divide  at  Red  Oak  and  go  their 
several  ways. 

There  is  but  one  village  of  importance  in  Harlem  Township,  Scioto  Mills. 
Damascus,  a  settlement  on  the  road  from  Cedarville  to  Lena  is  partly  in  Har- 
lem, but  the  post-office,  now  discontinued,  was  in  Waddams  Township.  Har- 
lem is  one  of  the  most  populous  of  the  townships,  as  it  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant. It  contains  an  area  of  about  thirty-four  square  miles,  and  a  population 
of  over  two  thousand  inhabitants. 

SCIOTO  MILLS. 

Scioto  Mills,  formerly  known  as  Cockrell  Post-office,  an  inconsiderable  vil- 
lage of  something  less  than  an  hundred  inhabitants,  is  the  only  village  which 
Harlem  Township  boasts.  It  is  located  on  the  banks  of  Richland  Creek,  on  the 
Madison-Dodgeville  branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  399 

Richland  Creek,  with  its  swift  current  and  many  rapids,  furnishes  admirable 
water  power,  and  a  number  of  mills  have  always  been  located  along  its  banks. 
Scioto  has  always  been  a  favorite  spot  for  mills,  although  the  present  mill  has 
not  been  running  for  some  time.  Levi  Wilcoxin  built  the  first  mill  ever  located 
at  this  particular  spot  on  Richland  Creek,  and  later  Scioto  Flouring  Mills,  with 
Thompson  Cockrell  as  proprietor,  were  located  on  the  site  of  the  first  mill.  Mill- 
ing has  long  since  been  discontinued. 

The  village  itself  contains  two  or  three  stores,  the  railway  station,  a  black- 
smith shop,  and  a  number  of  residences.  There  is  only  one  street,  but  the  town 
is  very  beautifully  situated  on  a  hill  sloping  down  to  the  creek,  in  the  midst  of 
a  grove  of  high  trees.  The  main  business  of  the  Meyers  Brothers  Lumber 
Company  is  located  at  Scioto  Mills,  with  sub-stations  at  Buena  Vista,  and  else- 
where. The  last  census  gave  Scioto  Mills  a  population  of  over  one  hundred 
inhabitants,  but  the  number  has  dwindled  somewhat  since  that  time,  and  com- 
prises about  ninety  at  the  present  time. 

ONECO  TOWNSHIP. 

Oneco  township,  in  the  north  central  portion  of  Stephenson  county,  next  to 
the  Wisconsin  state  line,  comprises  an  oblong  section  of  land  containing  about 
twenty-seven  square  miles.  The  land  is  fertile  and  contains  not  only  a  large  area 
of  farm  lands,  but  a  very  considerable  acreage  of  timbered  lands.  Richland 
Creek,  coursing  through  the  central  portion  of  the  township  from  north  to  south, 
affords  water  power  for  a  mill  at  Orangeville,  and  Honey  Creek,  which  flows 
through  the  village  of  Oneco,  in  the  north  central  part  of  the  township,  formerly 
turned  the  wheels  of  a  mill  at  that  settlement. 

Oneco  township  was  settled  very  early — at  least  two  years  before  most  of  the 
townships  of  Stephenson  county.  The  first  settler,  according  to  tradition,  was 
one  Simon  Davis,  who  arrived  in  1833,  and  settled  in  this  portion  of  the  section 
known  as  "Brewster  Precinct."  He  took  up  Ms  claim  very  near  to  the  site  of 
the  future  village  of  Oneco,  and  was  soon  followed  by  Andrew  Clarno,  who  es- 
tablished himself  on  the  banks  of  Honey  Creek.  John  M.  Curtis  was  another 
comer  of  the  same  year,  and  he,  too,  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Oneco.  Both  Davis 
and  Clamo  had  passed  through  the  region  sometime  before,  and  had  gone  on 
their  respective  routes  north  and  west  to  the  lead  mines  in  Galena  and  Southern 
Wisconsin.  Then,  for  some  unknown  reason,  whether  it  was  because  they  were 
unsuccessful  in  their  ventures,  or  tired  of  the  mining  life  and  desired  to  follow 
the  pursuit  of  agriculture,  both  of  them  returned  and  staked  out  their  claims  in 
Stephenson  county. 

No  settlers  came  after  them  for  two  years  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained  at 
the  present  time.  In  1835,  the  first  representatives  of  the  Van  Matre  family, 
who  subsequently  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Winslow,  arrived  in  the  persons  of 
Lewis  and  Jefferson  Van  Matre.  Lewis  Van  Matre  had  also  passed  through  the 
county  some  time  previous  on  his  way  to  the  lead  mines,  and  he  too  had  developed 
a  distaste  for  mining,  and  returned  to  take  up  farming.  His  brother,  Jefferson 
Van  Matre,  came  from  Ohio  the  same  year.  Three  other  brothers  followed 
them  within  the  next  four  years :  Morgan  Van  Matre,  in  1836,  and  William  and 
Joseph  Van  Matre,  in  1839. 


400  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

In  1836,  the  population  of  Oneco  township  was  considerably  augumented. 
A  large  migration  to  different  parts  of  the  county  occurred  in  that  year,  and 
Oneco  did  not  fail  to  receive  her  full  quota  of  new  settlers.  Nearly  all  of  them 
settled  round  about  Oneco  village:  Duke  Chilton,  Lorin  Remay,  Fred  Remay, 
Ralph  Hildebrand,  M.  Lott,  Jonas  Strohm,  and  a  number  of  others  whose  names 
are  now  forgotten. 

The  years  1837-1838  witnessed  an  even  larger  immigration.  A  great  num- 
ber of  new  settlers,  whose  children  are,  in  many  cases,  still  identified  with  the  ' 
township,  arrived.  There  were  James  Young,  Philip  Wells,  Warner  Wells,  all 
of  whom  established  their  farms  at  the  head  of  the  region  known  as  Long  Hol- 
low, James  Howe,  Henry  Howe,  George  Howe,  Henry  Johnson,  who  settled  in 
the  northeast  corner  of  the  township,  near  the  state  line,  Oliver  Brewster,  John  R. 
Brewster,  Ezra  Gillett,  who  afterward  erected  the  Buena  Vista  Whitehall  Mills, 
Joab  Mortion,  who  settled  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township,  Isaac  Klecker, 
whose  claim  was  just  east  of  the  village  of  Oneco,  James  Turnbull,  who  later 
moved  to  Winslow  Township,  "Father"  Ballinger,  whose  son  Asa  was  famous  as 
one  of  the  earliest  circuit  preachers  of  the  Illinois  conference,  and  others. 

In  1838,  a  tragedy  occurred,  one  of  the  few  recorded  in  the  annals  of  Oneco 
Township.  Mr.  Lott,  who  had  come  to  the  region  with  his  family  in  1836,  com- 
mitted suicide.  This  was  the  first  death  known  to  have  taken  place  in  the  town- 
ship, but  he  was  not  buried  near  the  place  where  the  deed  was  committed.  As 
his  final  resting  place  is  unknown  and  forgotten,  there  are  some  old  settlers  who 
discredit  the  story.  As  none  of  them  were  contemporaries  of  the  traditional  Mr. 
Lott,  it  is  quite  impossible  to  render  any  decision  as  to  the  merits  of  the  tale. 
Certain  it  is  that  the  oldest  grave  in  the  township  is  that  of  William  Van  Matre's 
daughter,  in  Mount  Pleasant  cemetery,  which  bears  the  date  1840. 

In  1839  the  roll  of  newcomers  included  Lewis  Gibler,  who  came  from  Ohio 
to  .Oneco  Township,  and  settled  in  section  18,  the  two  Van  Matre  brothers  before 
mentioned,  Jacob  Stroder,  and  others.  William  Van  Matre  settled  in  the  west- 
ern portion  of  the  township,  near  Winslow.  Later  he  moved  to  Rock  Grove, 
and  from  there  to  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin. 

In  1840  a  number  of  old  settlers  who  have  left  numerous  descendents  came 
to  Oneco,  among  them  Michael  Bolender,  Isaac  Miller,  Lyman  Hulburt,  William 
Hulburt,  Nelson  Hulburt,  John  Clarno,  Joseph  Norns  and  Seth  Shockley.  The 
first  marriage  is  said  to  have  taken  place  in  Oneco  in  this  year.  The  contracting 
parties  were  Henry  Rybolt  and  Lizzie  McNear,  and  the  ceremony  was  per- 
formed at  the  residence  of  Joseph  Van  Matre,  by  Squire  Gibler.  In  the  same 
year  occurred  the  death  of  William  Van  Matre's  daughter,  who,  as  before  men- 
tioned, was  the  first  to  die  and  he  burned  within  the  confines  of  Oneco  Township. 
Of  the  births  in  the  township,  there  is  no  record,  nor  is  there  any  way  of  finding 
out  who  was  the  first  white  child  to  be  born  in  this  section. 

There  were  many  drawbacks  to  the  joys  of  living  for  the  early  settlers  of 
Oneco  Township.  Indians  were  numerous,  and  snakes  were  even  more  so.  We, 
of  the  present  day  and  generation,  who  hardly  ever  think  of  either  of  these  pests, 
can  scarcely  realize  how  great  and  manifest  was  the  danger  from  both  to  the 
pioneer  settlers  in  Stephenson  county.  The  Indians  did  not  make  their  pres- 
ence known  by  war  whoops  or  demoniacal  yells  at  this  stage  of  history.  They 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  401 

were  past  that,  but  they  made  themselves  quite  as  obnoxious  to  the  settlers  in 
a  more  subtle  manner.  For  instance,  they  did  not  "appreciate  the  difference 
between  thine  and  mine,"  and,  what  was  worse,  they  did  their  stealing  in  the 
small  hours  of  the  night,  when  there  was  no  opportunity  of  redress  for  the  white 
man.  But  whenever  a  stray  Indian  was  discovered  in  the  act  of  helping  himself 
to  what  was  not  his  own,  his  punishment  was  swift  and  terrible.  The  occa- 
sional sights  of  their  unfortunate  comrades  dangling  from  the  burdened  limbs  of 
trees  along  the  road  served  to  dampen  the  ardor  of  the  poor  Winnebagoes  and 
Pottawattomies,  and  the  struggle  with  them  was  short  lived.  With  the  snakes 
it  was  a  different  matter.  Even  more  subtle  than  the  Indians,  they  were  doubly 
venomous,  and  a  dozen  or  more  deaths  are  on  record  which  were  caused  by  the 
bite  of  the  rattlesnake,  or  "racer,"  the  massasauga,  or  the  deadly  moccasin.  They 
lurked  in  the  tall  grass  by  the  side  of  the  roads  and  rivers,  and  in  among  the 
grain,  and  more  than  one  unfortunate  stepped  upon  their  shining  scales  and 
straightway  felt  their  sharp  fangs  buried  in  his  flesh. 

A  story  is  told  of  a  lad  who  was  fishing  with  his  father,  on  the  banks  of  one 
of  the  small  creeks.  The  country  was  totally  virgin  thereabout,  and  the  tall 
weeds  and  underbrush  round  about  the  river  banks  furnished  most  excellent  hid- 
ing places  for  the  rattlers.  As  the  boy,  who  had  been  sitting  on  the  bank  with 
his  pole,  got  up  to  go  to  his  father,  who  sat  a  short  distance  away  he  suddenly, 
as  he  supposed,  stubbed  his  toe  on  a  stone  and  uttered  a  sharp  cry  of  pain.  His 
father  hurried  to  his  assistance  and  immediately  discovered  that  he  had  been 
bitten  by  a  "racer."  The  poor  man,  frantic  and  cold  with  fear,  had  not  the 
slightest  idea  what  remedies  to  apply,  and  carried  the  boy  home  for  the  appli- 
cation of  restoratives.  But  he  was  too  late.  The  poison  had  all  the  while  been 
coursing  through  his  system  and  he  died  at  sunset. 

In  spite  of  the  dangers  from  Indians,  snakes,  and  horse  thieves,  Oneco  Town- 
ship enjoyed  a  rapid  growth  and  prosperity  after  the  year  1840.  After  the 
filling  up  of  the  land,  Oneco  village  was  settled,  and  later  Orangeville,  first 
known  as  Bowersville.  In  1888  the  railroad  came  through,  and  since  that 
time  the  township  has  been  quite  accessible  to  Freeport  and  the  outside  world. 

Orangeville,  the  third  settlement  in  size  in  Stephenson  County,  is  located 
in  the  southern  part  of  Oneco  Township,  on  the  banks  of  Richland  Creek, 
whose  current  turns  its  one  and  only  mill.  It  is  situated  on  the  Madison  branch 
of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  about  fifteen  miles  north  of  Freeport  by  rail- 
road and  fourteen  by  road. 

The  first  settler  on  the  site  of  Orangeville  was  John  M.  Curtis,  who  took 
up  a  claim  on  the  spot  where  Orangeville  now  stands,  and  there  located  his 
farm.  In  1845  J°hn  Bowers,  to  whom  is  due  the  credit  of  founding  the  village 
of  Orangeville,  came  to  Stephenson  County.  He  first  settled  at  Walnut  Grove, 
in  Rock  Grove  Township,  where  he  remained  for  about  a  year.  Then,  seeking 
a  more  desirable  place  of  habitation,  he  came  a  few  miles  west,  and  possessed 
himself  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  Oneco  Township,  on  the 
banks  of  Richland  Creek.  On  this  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  ground 
a  log  cabin,  and  saw  and  grist  mills  had  already  been  built  and  Mr.  Bowers 
began  to  operate  the  mills  soon  after  his  arrival.  A  year's  residence  on  his 
new  farm  firmly  convinced  Mr.  Bowers  that  the  site  was  suitable  for  the  found- 


402  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ing  of  a  village.  Although  it  was  as  late  as  1845,  the  land  about  Orangeville 
had  not  been  improved  in  the  least,  and  the  section  was  almost  as  wild  as  the 
region  about  Oneco  had  been,  before  its  fastnesses  resounded  to  the  blows  of 
the  pioneer's  axe.  But,  with  the  help  of  Marcus  Montelius,  who  surveyed  and 
platted  fifteen  acres  of  the  village  site,  Mr.  Bowers  pushed  boldly  forth  upon 
his  venture. 

In  1849  tne  first  brick  house,  a  structure  on  High  street,  long  occupied  by 
the  post-office,  was  built.  In  the  same  year  Charles  Moore  built  a  residence, 
George  Hoffman  a  store,  John  Bowers  a  blacksmith  shop,  which  was  afterward 
occupied  by  Benjamin  Hallman,  and  a  number  of  farmers  their  residences. 
The  old  mills  which  had  been  built  by  John  M.  Curtis  were  still  standing,  but 
John  Bowers  began  to  improve  the  mill  buildings  in  that  year.  The  work  of 
improvement  and  reconstruction  was  most  arduous,  and  the  greater  part  of  the 
mianual  labor  was  done  by  Mr.  Bowers  himself.  It  was  impossible  to  get  suit- 
able shingles  and  lumber  in  the  regions  about  Orangeville,  and  Mr.  Bowers, 
acting  as  driver,  hauled  the  material  from  Chicago  in  his  own  wagon.  By  the 
next  year,  1850,  the  mill  was  completed  at  a  total  cost  of  $8,000. 

The  appearance  of  Orangeville,  or  Bowersville,  as  it  was  then  known,  was 
very  promising,  and  speculators  and  purchasers  thronged  to  the  place  where 
they  bought  up  large  quantities  of  land.  The  first  lot  in  the  village  is  said  to 
have  been  sold  to  Daniel  Duck,  who  paid  ten  dollars  for  it.  Another  early 
settler  was  William  Herbert.  The  village  offered  numerous  advantages  to 
settlers.  It  was  about  the  right  distance  from  Freeport,  the  lots  were  exceed- 
ingly cheap,  the  water  facilities  were  good,  and  the  village  seemed  to  be  on  the 
point  of  a  flourishing  growth.  A  large  number  of  settlers  came  within  the  first 
ten  or  fifteen  years,  and  business  has  never  since  been  at  a  complete  standstill. 

The  war  in  1861,  instead  of  disastrously  affecting  the  growth  of  the  little 
community,  only  served  to  increase  the  business  done  by  the  merchants.  It  was 
truly  surprising  how  little  effect  the  great  national  conflict  seemed  to  have  on 
Orangeville  business,  when  the  other  villages  of  the  county,  such  as  Davis  and 
Dakota,  were  nearly  prostrated,  and  never  fully  recovered  from  the  effects. 

During  the  progress  of  the  war,  no  surprising  developments  took  place,  and 
business  suffered  somewhat  of  a  setback:  Scarcely  had  the  peace  of  Appomattox 
Courthouse  been  concluded,  when  the  development  of  Orangeville  began  again 
with  renewed  vigor.  In  1867,  the  settlement  was  incorporated  as  a  village.  That 
year  the  first  village  elections  were  held  with  the  following  results: 

President  of  board,  Charles  Moore ;  associates,  William  Wagenhals,  George 
Erb,  W.  A.  St.  John,  Jacob  Kurtz;  village  clerk,  W.  A.  St.  John;  village  treas- 
urer, W.  Wagenhals. 

In  the  year  1888  the  Madison  branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  built 
its  tracks  through  Orangeville  and  the  village  at  once  became  a  place  of  great 
importance.  Numerous  brick  stores  and  office  buildings  were  built  on  the  main 
street,  known  as  High  street,  and  the  community  became  a  prosperous,  thrifty 
little  town.  And  so  it  remains.  There  will  never  be  any  great  additional  de- 
velopment in  Orangeville,  for  the  time  for  that  is  past.  If  Orangeville  was  ever 
to  be  a  city,  it  must  have  become  one  long  ago,  and  it  never  reached  that 
status.  However,  its  existence  as  a  thriving  village  is  quite  assured.  Orange- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  403 

ville  has  always  contained  a  decided  preponderance  of  the  German  element 
among  its  citizens,  and  the  thrift  and  financial  prowess  of  a  German  community 
is  well  known  throughout  the  United  States. 

Orangeville  contains  two  banks,  four  churches,  a  large  number  of  lodges  and 
fraternal  organizations,  one  newspaper,  and  a  number  of  commercial  enter- 
prises, including  the  Orangeville  mills. 

The  People's  State  Bank.  This  is  the  oldest  bank  in  the  village.  It  is  housed 
in  the  finest  and  newest  building  on  High  street,  a  brick  structure,  two  stories 
in  height,  with  provisions  for  office  suits  on  the  second  story,  and  the  offices  of 
the  bank  on  the  first  floor. 

The  institution  is  capitalized  at  $25,000,  and  the  following  are  officers: 
President,  D.  A.  Schoch;  vice  president,  C.  A.  Bolender;  cashier,  George  S. 
Wagner;  directors,  D.  A.  Schoch,  C.  A.  Bolender,  George  S.  Wagner. 

Orangeville  State  Bank.  The  offices  of  the  new  state  bank  are  located  on 
High  street  at  the  lower  end  of  the  thoroughfare  near  the  railway  station.  The 
building  in  which  the  bank  is  housed  is  a  new  one  and  the  offices  are  most  ele- 
gantly appointed  in  every  respect. 

The  Orangeville  State  Bank  was  founded  February  i,  1909,  by  a  stock  com- 
pany of  farmers  living  in  Orangeville  and  the  surrounding  country.  It  is  cap- 
italized at  $25,000,  and  has  deposits  amounting  to  over  $60,000.  The  officers 
are :  President,  B.  D.  Yarger ;  vice  president,  Christ  Wohlf ord ;  cashier,  E.  M. 
Reeser;  directors,  B.  D.  Yarger,  Christ  Wohlf  ord,  C.  L.  Seidel,  Ivan  E.  Rote, 
A.  H.  Hale,  Samuel  Boals,  William  F.  Neuschwander,  M.  G.  Wirsing,  and  W. 
M.  Hartman. 

Churches.  There  are  five  churches  in  Orangeville,  two  of  which,  namely 
the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  churches,  occupy  the  same  church  edifice. 

Reformed  Church.  The  Reformed  church  of  Orangeville  is  very  old  in  point 
of  time,  having  been  organized  May  3,  1851,  by  Henry  Halliston,  with  twenty- 
four  members,  of  whom  Henry  Ault  was  elder,  and  John  Bowers  and  Michael 
Bolender  deacons.  For  a  short  time  meetings  were  held  about  in  the  private 
residence  of  the  members.  Then,  at  a  meeting  held  the  same  year,  it  was  decided 
to  join  forces  with  the  Lutherans  in  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice.  Daniel 
Rean,  John  Bowers,  and  John  Wohlford  were  appointed  to  serve  on  the  build- 
ing committee.  Plans  were  immediately  formulated  for  the  church  building, 
and  in  September,  1852,  the  cornerstone  was  laid  by  the  Revs.  G.  J.  Donmeyer, 
Daniel  Kroh,  and  George  Weber.  On  September  23,  1855,  as  much  as  three 
years  later,  the  church  was  finished  and  dedicated.  The  church  cost  $1,900, 
is  a  brick  structure,  with  a  wooden  spire,  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of  two  hun- 
dred. A  year  ago  it  was  redecorated  at  a  considerable  cost  and  now  presents  a 
highly  creditable  appearance.  A  number  of  ministers  were  present  at  the  dedi- 
cation services,  including  the  Revs.  G.  J.  Donmeyer,  Daniel  Kroh,  F.  C.  Bow- 
man, Arastus  Kent,  J.  P.  Decker,  and  the  Rev.  John  Hoyman,  the  first  pastor  of 
the  church. 

The  present  membership  is  eighty-five,  with  a  Sunday  school  of  seventy-five. 
The  value  of  the  church  building  is  about  $2,000,  and  that  of  the  parsonage,  which 
was  bought  some  time  ago,  $1,800.  The  Rev.  W.  D.  Marburger  is  in  charge,  hav- 
ing come  to  Orangeville  from  Dakota  about  a  year  ago. 


404  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  Orangeville  church  numbers  among  its  communicants  Mrs.  A.  J.  Beam,  a 
member  of  the  Ebel  family,  who  has  been  the  first  missionary  from  these  dis- 
tricts to  China.  She  departed  for  the  east  about  seven  years  ago,  and  has  only 
recently  returned  to  Orangeville. 

Lutheran  Church.  The  Lutheran  congregation  was  organized  in  1847  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Rev.  G.  J.  Donmeyer,  with  a  very  small  membership.  Services 
were  at  first  held  in  a  log  schoolhouse  in  the  Ault  farm  in  Buckeye  Township. 
Rev.  G.  J.  Donmeyer  took  charge  for  a  number  of  years,  working  in  company 
with  the  Rev.  Ephraim  Miller,  of  Cedarville.  The  services  were  occasionally 
held  in  the  schoolhouse,  sometimes  in  the  mill,  but  more  often  in  private  resi- 
dences. 

In  1851  the  Lutheran  congregation  combined  with  the  Reformed  church  in  an 
effort  to  build  a  church,  a  brick  structure,  costing  $1,900,  the  same  which  is 
mentioned  above  in  connection  with  the  Reformed  church.  Since  the  pastor- 
ship of  Rev.  G.  J.  Donmeyer,  a  large  number  of  ministers  have  occupied  the 
pulpit  of  the  church,  which  has  since  come  to  be  known  as  "Salem  Congrega- 
tion of  the  United  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church." 

The  present  incumbent  is  the  Rev.  M.  Colber,  who  has  been  here  four  years. 
He  came  to  Stephenson  County  from  Middletown,  Indiana,  in  November,  1906, 
and  is  a  Pennsylvanian  by  birth.  The  Orangeville  church  is  on  a  circuit  with 
the  Bellevue  church  near  Buckeye  Center.  The  membership  is  sixty,  with  a 
Sunday  school  of  seventy-five,  while  the  Bellevue  church  has  a  membership  of 
forty-five,  and  a  Sunday  school  of  seventy.  The  Lutheran  congregation  of 
Orangeville  possesses  a  parsonage  which  was  built  fifteen  years  ago,  and  is 
valued  at  $2,000. 

United  Brethren  Association.  The  United  Brethren  church  is  the  oldest  in 
Oneco.  It  was  established  as  early  as  1844.  At  first  services  were  held  in 
schoolhouses,  private  residences,  etc.  In  1856  the  present  Orangeville  circuit 
was  organized,  and  in  1857  the  Orangeville  church  was  built.  It  is  a  brick 
structure  which  cost  $2,000.  Other  churches  have  since  been  built  in  the  cir- 
cuit which  is  very  large,  and  includes  McConnell,  Winslow,  Oneco,  St.  James 
and  Orangeville. 

Rev.  W.  G.  Metzker  is  the  minister  in  charge.  He  has  been  in  Orangeville 
about  a  year,  having  come  from  Good  Hope,  Illinois  (MacDonough  County) 
in  October,  1909.  The  Orangeville  congregation  numbers  fifty-five  members, 
with  a  Sunday  school  approximating  fifty.  The  church  is  valued  at  $2,590  and 
the  parsonage,  which  is  a  handsome  residence,  is  valued  at  $3,000. 

Methodist  Church.  Three  churches  are  included  in  the  Orangeville  charge 
of  the  M.  E.  church,  vix.,  the  Orangeville  church,  the  Red  Oak  church,  and 
the  Pleasant  Hill  church. 

The  Methodists  have  held  services  in  Oneco  Township  for  over  half  a 
century,  but  it  was  not  until  October  15,  1875,  that  the  sect  first  saw  fit  to 
organize  into  a  congregation  and  hold  worship  at  stated  times.  On  that  mem- 
orable date,  Benjamin  and  Mrs.  Bowers,  Mrs.  Susan  Bennett,  Mrs.  Sarah 
Heckman,  Mrs.  B.  J.  Parriott,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Cook,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Fred- 
erick, and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Holloway  decided  to  form  the  congregation 
and  thus  became  the  charter  members  of  the  church.  Rev.  F.  B.  Hardin  be- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY  405 

came  the  first  pastor,  and  services  were  held  in  the  Reformed  church.  After 
a  while  the  Masonic  hall  was  secured  as  a  place  of  worship  and  services  were 
held  there  for  a  long  time.  The  church  building  now  in  use  was  built  about 
twenty-five  years  ago.  It  is  valued  at  $2,000,  and  the  parsonage,  a  rather  old 
structure,  at  $1,200.  The  church  contemplates  building  a  new  church  edifice, 
and  it  is  probable  that  this  step  will  be  taken  some  time  soon.  Recently  the 
church  was  refitted  inside  and  out  at  a  cost  of  $700,  but  there  is  great  need 
for  an  entirely  new  building. 

The  Rev.  W.  M.  Kaufmann  is  in  charge  of  the  Orangeville  church.  He 
came  to  Orangeville  a  year  ago  in  November,  1909,  and  preaches  also  in  the 
Red  Oak  and  Pleasant  Hill  churches.  The  membership  at  Orangeville  is 
sixty,  with  a  Sunday  school  of  about  equal  proportions,  while  that  at  Pleasant 
Hill  is  forty,  with  a  Sunday  school  of  sixty. 

United  Evangelical  Church.  Hope  church,  of  the  United  Evangelical  So- 
ciety, is  a  part  of  the  charge  which  includes  Orangeville,  Stavers,  and  Fair- 
field.  It  was  formerly  a  church  of  the  Evangelical  Association,  and  was  built 
about  thirty  years  ago,  to  be  purchased  from  that  society  when  the  break  in 
the  Illinois  Conference  occurred. 

Services  of  the  Evangelical  faith  were  long  held  in  Orangeville,  but  not 
until  1870  was  Orangeville  circuit  made  a  separate  charge.  In  1880  the  pres- 
ent church  edifice  was  built  and  dedicated  on  January  18,  of  that  year.  It 
is  a  very  commodious  and  well  appointed  frame  church,  thirty-six  by  fifty- 
two,  with  a  steeple  eighty-seven  feet  high,  and  an  auditorium  which  will  hold 
two  hundred  persons.  The  interior  decorations  and  particularly  have  been 
frequently  renewed  and  improved.  Among  the  appurtenances  is  an  organ,  one 
of  the  finest  in  the  rural  sections  of  the  county.  The  church  originally  cost  the 
congregation  $2,500  and  was  repurchased  from  the  Evangelical  Association 
in  1894  for  $2,000. 

The  parsonage  was  put  up  a  number  of  years  ago  and  is  valued  at  $3,000. 
Two  years  ago  a  fine  new  barn  was  added  to  the  parsonage,  and  the  house 
itself  was  remodelled  and  redecorated. 

Rev.  A.  W.  Smith  occupies  the  pulpit  of  the  three  churches  at  the  present 
time.  He  came  from  Manhattan,  Illinois,  April,  1909,  and  has  been  in  Orange- 
ville nearly  two  years.  The  Orangeville  congregation  numbers  seventy-five, 
while  the  Stavers'  membership  is  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  and  the  Fairfield 
again  about  seventy-five.  The  Sunday  schools  of  the  three  churches  are  large 
in  proportion  to  the  membership. 

Lodges.  There  are  a  number  of  lodges  in  Orangeville,  few  of  which  de- 
serve special  mention.  The  most  important  are  the  Masons,  the  Odd  Fellows, 
the  Mystic  Workers,  the  American  Stars  of  Equity,  the  Yeomen  of  America, 
and  the  two  Ladies'  Auxiliaries  of  the  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow  organizations; 
viz.,  the  Easter  Star  and  Rebekah. 

Orangeville  Lodge,  No.  687,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  The  Orangeville  lodge  of  the 
Masons  was  chartered  October  i,  1872,  although  the  lodge  had  been  working 
under  a  dispensation  for  a  long  time  previous  to  that  date.  The  pioneer  Masons 
whose  names  appeared  on  the  charter  of  the  Orangeville  lodge  were:  B.  H. 
Bradshaw,  David  Jones,  James  Musser,  Benjamin  Musser,  Charles  Musser,  I. 


406  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

G.  Ermhold,  J.  K.  Bloom,  H.  W.  Bolender,  P.  Sheckler,  William  Potts,  and  D. 
A.  Schoch.  The  original;  officers  at  the  time  of  the  securing  of  the  charter 
were.  B.  H.  Bradshaw,  W.  M.,  David  Jones,  S.  W.,  and  James  Musser,  J.  W. 

In  1876  the  Masonic  lodge  erected  a  handsome  hall  on  High  street  for  the 
lodge  home.  It  is  a  two-story  structure,  with  a  basement  also  in  use.  The  latter 
contains  a  banquet  room,  with  kitchen  and  stoves.  The  first  floor  is  a  hall  for 
entertainments,  lectures,  and  social  gatherings.  The  second  story  contains  the 
lodge  room  of  the  various  societies  which  meet  in  the  hall.  Nearly  all  of  the 
Orangeville  secret  organizations  use  this  hall,  and  it  is  in  great  demand  by  church 
societies,  etc.,  on  festive  occasions. 

The  present  condition  of  the  lodge  is  most  satisfactory.  The  membership 
is  large,  with  every  prospect  for  increase.  The  officers  in  charge  are :  W.  M., 
M.  W.  Gouse,  secretary,  J.  I.  Cadwell. 

J.  R.  Scroggs  Lodge  No.  133,  I.  0.  O.  F.  The  Odd  Fellows  lodge  is  the 
the  oldest  organization  of  the  kind  in  Orangeville.  It  was  organized  October 
13,  1868,  a  charter  issued  to  A.  A.  Krape,  Thomas  Spriggs,  Henry  Dinges, 
J.  K.  Bloom,  J.  J.  Moore,  and  William  Sandoe.  The  officers  were :  Noble  Grand, 
A.  A.  Krape;  vice  grand,  J.  K.  Bloom,  and  secretary,  William  Sandoe. 

The  lodge  has  always  been  most  prosperous.  Meetings  are  held  weekly  in 
the  Masonic  hall,  on  High  street,  where  the  lodge  has  always  met.  The  society 
has  a  present  membership  of  eighty  persons,  with  the  following  officers  now  in 
charge :  Noble  Grand,  J.  C.  Schadle ;  secretary,  Cyrus  Snyder. 

American  Stars  of  Equity.  The  Stars  of  Equity  were  organized  in  Orange- 
ville five  or  six  years  ago.  The  membership  is  large,  and  the  officers  are :  George 
S.  Wagner,  president;  H.  U.  Hartzell,  secretary. 

The  Yeomen  of  America.  The  Yeomen  were  organized  at  the  same  time. 
The  officers  are :  James  Chilton,  president ;  George  S.  Wagner,  secretary.  Meet- 
ings are  held  in  the  Masonic  hall. 

Eastern  Star.  The  Eastern  Star  was  founded  six  years  ago.  The  officers 
are:  W.  M.,  Mrs.  W.  G.  Snyder;  secretary,  Miss  Carrie  Cadwell. 

Rebekahs.  The  Rebekahs  also  have  had  a  lodge  in  Orangeville  for  about 
ten  years.  The  membership  is  somewhat  fluctuating,  with  a  present  roll  of 
about  fifty.  Mrs.  Harry  Snyder  is  noble  grand. 

Schools.  Orangeville  has  always  had  very  excellent  schools,  but  it  has  re- 
cently placed  itself  in  the  front  rank  of  the  villages  of  the  county  outside  of 
Freeport  by  the  founding  of  its  new  high  school.  The  first  village  school- 
house  was  built  before  1850,  and  stood  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Lutheran 
and  Reformed  church.  In  1860,  the  school  was  first  graded.  In  1874  the 
new  building  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  $6,000.  It  has  since  continued  to  be  in 
commission,  but  the  prospects  just  at  present  are  extremely  bright  for  the  build- 
ing of  a  new  school.  The  quarters  are  very  cramped  for  the  high  school,  and 
more  room  is  imperatively  required. 

The  Orangeville  High  school  was  founded  in  1909,  by  the  Rev.  W.  D.  Mar- 
burger,  of  the  Reformed  church.  It  offered  a  one  year's  course  last  year,  will 
offer  a  two  years'  course  next  year,  etc.,  until  the  full  four  years'  course  is 
filled  out.  The  enrollment  of  the  Orangeville  school  for  the  past  year,  including 
grades  and  high  school,  was  one  hundred  and  fifteen.  Rev.  W.  D.  Marburger 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  407 

is  principal,  and  he,  together  with  Miss  Rutter,  of  Freeport  conduct  the  high 
school  department. 

Orangeville  Mills.  The  first  mills  ever  built  in  Orangeville  were  put  up  by 
John  M.  Curtis  the  pioneer  settler  at  Orangeville.  He  built  a  very  primitive 
dam  on  Richland  Creek  in  the  year  1838,  and  erected  a  mill  which  remained  in 
commission  until  his  death  between  1840  and  1850.  At  that  time  John  Bowers 
purchased  the  property  and  conducted  the  mills  for  a  while.  In  1850,  when 
Orangeville  had  been  platted  and  had  begun  to  be  a  village  of  some  consequence, 
Mr.  Bowers  tore  down  the  Curtis  Mills,  and  built  a  new  building,  at  a  cost 
of  $8,000.  The  present  building  is  a  frame  structure,  40x60,  three  and  a  half 
stories  high,  with  a  capacity  of  two  hundred  bushels  of  wheat  daily. 

In  1857  operation  at  the  Mills  was  suspended  for  two  years.  In  1859  tnev 
came  into  the  hands  of  Hefty,  Legner,  &  Company,  who  ran  them  for  seven 
years.  In  1865,  they  were  sold  to  E.  T.  Moore  &  Company.  The  Moore  family 
transacted  the  business  of  the  mill  for  many  years,  and  finally  shut  down  some 
time  in  the  eighties.  For  intervals  thereafter  the  mill  was  idle,  and  continues 
to  be  so  for  short  periods.  It  is  at  present  conducted  by  C.  W.  Bennett.  The 
grist-mill  alone  is  utilized,  and  corn,  barley,  and  rye  flour  are  ground. 

Recently  a  new  mill  has  been  erected  in  the  east  end  of  town  by  E.  Timm. 
It  is  run  by  steam  power,  and  is  used  as  a  grist-mill,  saw-mill,  and  planing-mill. 

Orangeville  Creamery.  The  Creamery  is  very  old,  but  has  of  late  diminished 
in  importance,  owing  to  the  monopoly  of  the  creamery  business  by  the  trusts. 
The  building,  which  was,  in  its  day,  one  of  the  largest  and  most  complete  estab- 
lishments in  the  west,  was  put  up  in  January  13,  1879  by  D.  A.  Schoch  and  H. 
W.  Bolender.  The  capacity  of  the  plant  was  about  one  thousand  four  hundred 
pounds  of  butter  daily,  thus  using  six  thousand  pounds  of  cream  every  twenty- 
four  hours. 

The  original  proprietors  have  long  since  given  up  the  business  and  it  is 
carried  on  by  a  Farmers'  Mutual  Benefit  Association.  Improvements  and  changes 
have  been  made  in  the  buildings,  increasing  the  daily  output  of  the  factory. 

OrangeiMe  Band.  The  Orangeville  Band,  a  very  creditable  institution  for 
a  village  of  the  size  of  Orangeville,  was  organized  in  March,  1909,  by  Stuart 
Bolender.  It  is  a  brass  band,  of  eighteen  instruments.  The  band  has  played 
about  at  various  county  fairs  in  northern  Illinois  and  southern  Wisconsin,  an3 
in  Freeport.  They  expect  to  play  this  fall  at  the  County  Fair  of  Green  County, 
at  Monroe. 

Orangeinlle  Orchestra.  Stuart  Bolender  is  also  responsible  for  the  organiza- 
tion and  existence  of  the  Orangeville  Orchestra,  which  consists  of  five  musicians, 
all  of  them  relatives  of  the  founder,  and  bearing  his  name.  It  discourses  sweet 
strains  at  dances  in  Orangeville,  and  upon  all  occasions  where  the  services  of 
such  a  musical  organization  are  desirable. 

The  Orangeville  Courier.  The  Orangeville  Courier  was  established  in  1882 
by  William  H.  McCall,  who  later  removed  to  Freeport,  where  he  is  now  con- 
nected with  the  Journal  Printing  Company.  Mr.  McCall  conducted  the  busi- 
ness for  a  number  of  years,  and  succeeded  in  working  up  a  large  and  growing 
subscription.  But  he  felt  that  the  business  of  running  a  country  newspaper  was 


408  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

not  altogether  a  path  of  roses,  and  left  the  village  to  accept  a  more  lucrative  posi- 
tion in  the  city. 

On  leaving  Orangeville,  he  disposed  of  his  business  to  L.  I.  Hutchins,  a 
brother  of  Dr.  I.  N.  Hutchins,  who  is  at  present  practising  medicine  in  Orange- 
ville. Mr.  Hutchins  ran  the  "Courier"  for  two  years  and.  then  sold  it  to  Joseph 
Upp.  Mr.  Hutchins  is  now  engaged  in  the  printing  business  in  Monmouth, 
Illinois. 

Joseph  Upp  remained  proprietor  for  only  six  months  and  then  disposed  of  the 
business  to  H.  U.  Hartzell,  who  was  employed  at  the  office  at  that  time.  This 
was  in  1890,  and  on  August  16  of  that  year,  the  transfer  of  the  business  was 
made,  Mr.  Hartzell  becoming  sole  owner.  He  has  conducted  the  business  ever 
since  with  unbroken  success. 

While  the  career  of  a  country  newspaper  in  a  village  of  the  size  of  Orange- 
ville is  apt  to  be  beset  with  all  sorts  of  trials  and  tribulations,  the  lot  of  the 
Orangeville  Courier  has  been  more  successful  than  the  majority.  While  Editor 
Hartzell  has  not  made  a  mint  of  money,  he  has  conducted  a  paying  business  as 
is  very  evident  from  the  fact  that  he  has  remained  in  it  for  these  twenty  years. 
The  Courier  has  a  large  subscription,  something  less  than  a  thousand,  among  the 
farmers  of  the  country  surrounding  Orangeville  in  northern  Illinois  and  south- 
ern Wisconsin.  The  paper  is  a  six  column  quarto  published  every  Saturday. 

5.  D.  Confer  Medical  Company.  The  Confer  Medical  Company  was  or- 
ganized in  1893  by  S.  D.  Confer.  It  is  doing  a  good  business,  and  handles 
liniments,  cough  syrups,  patent  medicines,  tablets,  extracts,  spices,  toilet  articles, 
stock  remedies,  etc.  The  officers  are:  President,  W.  S.  Confer;  secretary,  W. 
D.  Confer. 

The  business  section  of  Orangeville  presents  a  trim  and  lively  appearance 
these  days.  A  number  of  new  buildings  have  lately  gone  up,  and  the  street  is  now 
lined  with  a  row  of  substantial  and  well  appointed  brick  edifices.  There  are 
a  large  number  of  stores  doing  all  sorts  of  businesses,  and  catering  to  various 
trades.  The  condition  of  the  village  is  most  gratifying.  It  is  about  third  in 
size  in  the  county,  and  has  a  steady  population  of  about  one  thousand  inhabitants. 

ONECO. 

The  oldest  village  in  Oneco  Township,  and  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  county, 
is  Oneco,  settled  as  early  as  1840.  It  is  situated  in  the  north  central  portion  of 
the  township,  northwest  of  the  village  of  Orangeville,  and  consists  of  a  church, 
a  school,  and  a  store,  surrounded  by  a  handful  of  houses. 

Oneco  was  located  on  the  old  stage  road  to  Galena  and  the  lead  mines  of 
southern  Wisconsin,  and  when  it  was  laid  out  and  platted,  there  were  lively 
hopes  on  the  part  of  its  promulgators  that  it  might  become  the  most  important 
city  of  the  county.  Henry  Corwith,  acting  on  behalf  of  J.  K.  Brewster,  took  a 
claim  of  a  quarter  section  of  land,  surveyed  it  and  platted  it  for  a  town.  Later 
all  but  fifteen  acres  of  the  town  site  was  bought  and  occupied  as  a  farm. 
These  fifteen  acres  were  twice  added  to  by  Alonzo  Denio,  and  the  original 
fifteen  acre  plat  with  the  two  additions  of  Denio  constitute  the  present  village 
of  Oneco4 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY  409 

In  1843,  the  first  school  house  was  built  near  Oneco  village.  In  1851  the 
first  schoolhouse  within  the  village  was  built — a  brick  structure  on  Denio's  addi- 
tion, just  east  of  the  postoffice.  In  1876  the  structure  which  is  still  in  use  was 
built  on  the  Orangeville  Road  at  a  cost  of  $2,000. 

U.  B.  Church.  The  church  of  the  United  Brethren  Association,  which  is  the 
only  church  building  within  the  village  of  Oneco,  was  established  ten  years  ago. 
The  structure  itself  was  erected  in  the  summer  of  1880  by  the  Methodist  con- 
gregation of  Oneco.  It  was  occupied  by  them  for  twenty  years,  until  the  small 
size  of  the  congregation  and  the  shortness  of  the  distance  to  Orangeville,  which 
was  only  two  miles  away,  made  them  decide  to  join  forces  with  the  larger 
church. 

At  the  time  above  mentioned  the  transfer  of  property  was  made  and  the 
United  Brethren  Association  took  possession  of  the  church.  The  Oneco  church 
is  on  a  circuit  with  Orangeville,  McConnell,  St.  James,  and  Winslow,  pastoral 
duties  being  performed  by  the  Rev.  W.  G.  Metsker,  of  Orangeville.  The  church 
property  is  valued  at  $1,200,  and  the  membership  numbers  forty-three  communi- 
cants, with  a  Sunday  school  of  fifty. 

The  men  who  planned  the  village  of  Oneco  entertained  a  vain  hope  that 
the  settlement  might  some  time  attain  prominence.  Four  things  have  thwarted 
the  growth  of  the  village.  The  first  was  the  lack  of  the  water  power  which  the 
settlers  had  hoped  to  obtain.  Honey  Creek  flows  close  to  the  village,  and 
while,  at  stated  seasons  of  the  year,  it  is  swollen  with  floods,  and  afford  some 
water  power,  nevertheless  it  is  of  no  value  for  the  greater  part  of  the  year. 
Thus  the  mill  venture  was  a  failure.  The  second  relapse  which  Oneco  suffered 
was  in  the  platting  of  Orangeville  which  was  established  on  a  more  favorable 
site.  Two  villages  of  equal  prominence  could  hardly  exist  in  those  days  within 
two  miles  of  each  other,  and  when  one  of  them  offered  greater  inducements 
for  habitation  than  the  other  the  battle  was  sure  to  be  to  the  strong. 

When  the  railroad  came  through  in  1888,  and  decided  to  locate  its  station  at 
Orangeville  and  pass  by  Oneco,  the  third  misfortune  befell  the  ill-fated  village. 
A.11  the  traffic  was  turned  aside  to  Orangeville,  and  Oneco  was  no  longer  a 
commercial  center.  But  with  the  coming  of  the  Rural  Free  Delivery,  the  fourth 
and  final  blow  was  administered  and  the  village  passed  out  of  existence.  Oneco 
lost  its  postoffice,  like  so  many  other  small  villages,  and  the  population,  which 
had  once  been  in  the  neighborhood  of  one  hundred,  dwindled  to  less  than  half 
that  number.  The  more  aspiring  inhabitants  of  the  village  transferred  their 
place  of  habitation  to  Orangeville,  Rock  Grove,  or  elsewhere,  and  Oneco  became 
a  tradition. 

The  site  of  the  village  is  pleasant,  though  not  surpassingly,  beautiful.  The 
town  presents  an  appearance  of  thrift,  if  not  liveliness,  and,  in  spite  of  the  lack 
of  commercial  advantages,  the  village  of  Oneco  still  remains  a  very  pleasant 
place  for  residence. 

JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP. 

Jefferson  Township  occupies  the  southwestern  corner  of  Stephenson  County, 
and  comprises  an  area  of  eighteen  square  miles.  Although  one  of  the  three 


410  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

smallest  townships  in  the  county,  it  contains  some  very  desirable  land,  and  is  most 
attractive  as  a  place  of  residence.  The  ground  is  rolling,  and  the  hills  rise  to 
considerable  height.  Jefferson's  only  village,  Loran,  is  picturesquely  situated, 
lying  among  and  between  the  green  hills,  near  the  source  of  the  Plum  River. 

Jefferson  Township  was  originally  included  in  Loran  Township.  As  late 
as  September,  1859,  this  condition  of  affairs  prevailed,  and  then,  obeying  the 
numerous  petitions  of  the  citizens  of  the  western  section  of  Loran,  that  portion 
was  subdivided  off,  and  Jefferson  became  a  separate  and  independent  township. 

The  settlers  did  not  come  into  either  Loran  or  Jefferson  very  early,  and  the 
land  was  strangely  neglected.  The  first  settler  who  came  into  the  part  of  the 
township  which  afterward  became  Jefferson  was  Hector  C.  Haight,  who  made 
his  appearance  with  his  wife  and  family  in  1837.  He  entered  his  claim  and 
established  his  farm  about  four  miles  from  the  present  village  of  Loran,  on 
the  Freeport  road. 

Very  soon  after  Haight's  settlement,  M.  Pennington  came  in  and  opened  a 
claim  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township.  The  immigration  to  the  southwestern 
corner  of  the  county  was  for  some  unknown  reasons  not  very  large,  but  the 
section  which  afterward  became  Jefferson  received  the  biggest  quota  of  settlers. 
George  Lashell  settled  where  the  village  of  Loran  is  today.  Thompson  Smith, 
Henry  Aurand,  and  Jacob  Gable,  who  later  went  to  Kent,  all  settled  in  Jefferson, 
also  Charles  Fleckinger,  who  built  his  cabin  and  planted  his  corn  patch  on  a 
hill  near  Loran. 

After  the  coming  of  the  railroad  to  Freeport,  the  section  quickly  filled  up  with 
settlers.  The  names  of  the  early  settlers  are  for  the  most  part  lost,  but  it  is 
certain  that  they  came  in  large  numbers.  Ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  teachers 
began  to  be  in  large  demand ;  and  a  number  of  them  are  listed  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Jefferson  Township.  Two  teachers  who  are  known  to  have  migrated 
to  this  section  of  the  country  were  a  Mr.  Bonnemann  and  George  Truckenmiller. 
The  first  schoolhouse  in  the  township  was  a  log  cabin,  built  near  the  village  of 
Loran,  and  the  children  for  miles  around  attended  it,  as  the  only  institution 
which  their  portion  of  the  country  possessed.  Two  ministers  who  are  on  record 
as  pioneer  preachers  of  the  gospel  were  Revs.  Kiefer  and  Chester,  who  came 
soon  after  the  advent  of  the  school  and  teachers  and  preached  to  the  people 
(so  says  tradition)  in  th  barn  of  one  Samuel  Hays. 

In  1844  occurred  the  first  death  of  the  township.  Louis  Kleckner,  a  laborer 
in  the  employ  of  Samuel  Hays,  was  taken  ill  with  a  sort  of  malarial  fever, 
which  seems  to  have  been  prevalent  in  the  early  days  of  the  county.  He  re- 
ceived the  best  of  care  and  attention,  but  notwithstanding,  he  died,  and  was 
buried  in  the  cemetery  in  the  wilderness  west  of  Loran.  The  records  seem  to  in- 
dicate that  the  death  of  Kleckner  was  greatly  mourned  in  the  county  side  round 
about  and  was  considered  a  deplorable  tragedy.  We  have  stated  that  Kleckner's 
death  was  the  first  to  occur  in  Jefferson  Township.  His  burial  was  however 
preceded  by  that  of  a  man  named  Tiffany,  living  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  who 
died  at  his  home  across  the  county  line  and  was  buried  in  the  Loran  cemetery. 
His  headstone  bears  a  date  earlier  than  that  of  Kleckner's. 

The  first  marriage  took  place  in  the  fall  of  1845,  tne  contracting  parties 
being  Henry  Doherty  and  Catherine  Fleckinger.  The  ceremony  was  performed 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  411 

by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kiefer  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  father.  Tradition  says  that 
the  celebration  of  the  event  was  meagre,  for  the  times  of  prosperity  had  not 
yet  come  in  the  vicinity  of  Jefferson,  and  the  settlers  lived  in  the  meagrest  and 
closest  manner  possible.  But  after  1845  the  township  began  to  fill  up.  It  con- 
tinued to  be  part  of  Loran  until  1859,  when,  as  before  stated,  the  division  was 
made,  and  Jefferson  went  on  its  way  rejoicing. 

The  township  does  not  contain  any  railroad,  but  the  line  of  the  Chicago  and 
Great  Western  passes  less  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  northwestern 
corner  of  the  township.  The  land  is  well  supplied  with  streams,  and  contains 
the  source  of  the  Plum  River,  which  flows  down  into  Carroll  County.  Though 
small  in  size,  Jefferson  Township,  has  always  played  an  important  part  into 
county  politics.  It  is  always  largely  democratic,  which  distinguishing  feature 
has  perhaps  served  to  differentiate  it  from  the  other  townships  of  the  county. 

LORAN. 

Loran  is  one  of  the  most  picturesque  villages  of  the  county,  being  situated 
between  and  among  the  hills.  It  is  a  very  old  settlement,  and,  in  spite  of  the 
lack  of  railroad  facilities,  has  continued  to  hold  its  own  with  the  towns  of  the 
county  which  are  more  favorably  situated. 

In  1854,  George  Lashell,  who  owned  a  farm  near  the  Jo  Daviess  County 
line,  conceived  the  idea  of  laying  out  a  town  and  selling  lots  at  a  very  rea- 
sonable price.  The  county  surveyor  was  called  into  service,  and  laid  out  the 
plat  of  the  present  town,  which  has  never  been  increased  or  added  to  because  of 
a  too  rapid  influx  of  population.  The  village  occupies  only  one  street,  and  orig- 
inally contained  five  blocks  of  twelve  lots  each.  The  sale  of  lots  was  so  slow 
that  part  of  the  original  town  plat  was  then  vacated  for  village  purposes,  and 
only  as  much  reserved,  as  equalled  the  limited  demand  made. 

The  town  contains  a  store,  blacksmith  shop,  two  churches,  a  schoolhouse,  and 
a  number  of  private  residences. 

The  First  M.  E.  Church  was  built  in  1875,  and  is  valued  at  about  $1,500. 
It  is  a  frame  edifice  30x40,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
worshipers.  The  congregation  numbers  about  seventy-five  members,  who  live 
in  Loran  and  the  surrounding  country.  There  is  no  resident  minister. 

Evangelical  Church.  The  Evangelical  church  is  also  a  frame  structure, 
30x44  in  dimensions,  and  was  built  about  forty  years  ago.  The  membership 
of  the  church  is  about  fifty,  and  the  pastoral  duties  are  performed  by  the  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Shannon,  Carroll  County. 

The  schoolhouse  is  a  stone  building  located  on  High  street,  the  main  and 
only  street  of  Loran.  It  has  always  been  considered  an  unusual  good  district 
school,  and  serves  the  country  round  about  Loran  for  some  miles. 

Loran  has  not  grown  appreciably  within  the  last  fifty  years,  and  hardly  any 
development  is  to  be  expected  of  the  village,  as  it  is  inaccessible,  without  trans- 
portation facilities,  and  offers  no  inducements  in  the  way  of  business  oppor- 
tunities to  the  prospective  settler.  Its  pleasant  location  distinguishes  it  from 
most  of  the  villages  of  the  county,  but  in  all  other  respects  the  place  is  the  or- 
dinary country  village.  The  population  is  supposed  to  be  about  one  hundred  or 
thereabouts. 


412  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


FLORENCE  TOWNSHIP. 

Florence  Township  forms  one  of  the  southern  tier  of  the  county.  It  has 
an  area  of  exactly  six  square  miles,  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Harlem 
and  Freeport,  on  the  east  by  Silver  Creek,  on  the  west  by  Loran,  and  on  the 
south  by  Ogle  and  Carroll  Counties.  The  township  is  well  wooded,  but  there 
is  also  a  large  acreage  of  fertile  and  valuable  farm  lands.  The  water  supply 
is  good,  and  the  streams  are  numerous.  Yellow  Creek  flows  through  the  north 
central  portion  of  the  township  from  west  to  east,  and  is  joined  by  one  or  two 
smaller  creeks  of  greater  or  less  importance,  which  flow  down  from  the  south. 
The  rills  and  brooklets  cover  the  township  with  a  network  of  small  water- 
courses, and  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year  become  flooded  with  the  heavy  rains. 
Two  railroads  enter  Florence  Township.  The  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  &  St.  Paul 
cuts  across  the  southeastern  corner  of  the  township,  and  has  a  station  at  the 
village  of  Florence  Station.  The  Chicago  &  Great  Western  cuts  across  the  cen- 
tral part  of  the  township  in  a  straight  line  from  east  to  west,  with  its  only 
station  at  Bolton. 

The  lands  about  Yellow  Creek  are  heavily  timbered.  Especially  on  the 
north  side  of  the  creek  are  there  woods  of  considerable  extent.  Near  the  vil- 
lage of  Bolton,  formerly  Van  Brocklin,  the  County  Woods,  a  stretch  of  al- 
most virgin  wilderness,  are  situated.  Farther  toward  Freeport  are  Beebe's 
Woods,  and,  adjoining  them,  the  forests  and  hollows  of  Krape  Park,  formerly 
Globe  Park,  where  the  Freeport  Chautauqua  is  held  each  year.  Oakland  Cem- 
etery, Freeport's  new  cemetery,  a  beautiful  stretch  of  wooded  land,  is  located 
in  Florence  Township,  on  the  Pearl  City  road,  about  three  miles  west  of  Free- 
port. 

The  first  claim  taken  up  in  Florence  Township  was  entered  upon  by  Con- 
rad Van  Brocklin,  who  settled  on  Section  17,  near  the  site  of  the  future  village 
of  Van  Brocklin.  He  had  come  to  this  county  from  western  New  York  in  the 
fall  of  1835,  a°d  after  a  long,  hard  winter's  journey  he  arrived  at  his  new  home 
in  March,  1836.  His  first  log  cabin  was  built  but  a  short  distance  from  the 
farm  house  which  he  afterward  built  and  which  his  descendants  have  con- 
tinued to  occupy  for  many  years.  For  most  of  the  first  year  he  had  no  neigh- 
bors nearer  than  Thomas  Craine,  at  Craine's  Grove,  and  at  Freeport.  In  Au- 
gust of  the  same  year,  Mason  Dimmick,  of  Ohio,  emigrated  to  Stephen  son 
County,  and  took  up  his  claim  northeast  of  the  cabin  of  Mr.  Van  Brocklin. 
Otis  Love  and  his  family  soon  followed,  and  these  three  conclude  the  list  of 
settlers  of  1836. 

In  1837,  Lorenzo  Lee  arrived,  as  did  James  Hart,  who  settled  a  mile  and 
a  half  north  of  Van  Brocklin's.  A  few  more  came  in  this  year,  whose  names 
are  now  lost,  but  the  influx  of  settlers  was  not  very  great  as  yet. 

In  1838  the  emigrants  began  to  arrive  in  large  numbers.  A  few  of  them 
settled  at  Liberty  Mills  on  Yellow  Creek.  They  were  followed  by  one  Mr. 
Wickham,  William  Smith,  known  to  the  farmers  roundabout  as  "Saw-Log" 
Smith,  a  Mr.  Strong,  who  came  in  1839,  Sheldon  Scoville,  Russell  Scoville, 
and  C.  K.  Ellis,  who  came  the  same  year,  and  others.  In  1839  Anson  Babcock 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  413 

came  to  Florence  Township,  but  the  prospects  were  not  encouraging  enough, 
and  he  returned  to  New  York  state  with  his  family.  Strangely  enough,  many 
of  the  early  comers  to  Florence  did  not  remain  and  improve  their  claims.  The 
Van  Brocklins  were  permanent  fixtures,  as  the  lapse  of  time  has  proved,  but 
the  others  came  more  or  less  as  a  matter  of  experiment,  and  many  of  them 
departed  sooner  or  later  for  other  parts.  Mr.  Strong,  who  had  come  in  1839, 
stayed  several  years,  but  at  the  end  of  a  period  of  reasonable  prosperity  he 
departed  for  Lebanon,  Ohio,  where  he  became  a  member  of  the  sect  of  Shakers. 
Several  of  the  other  early  settlers  are  said  to  have  become  Mormons,  and  a  few 
of  them  moved  to  Freeport. 

After  1840,  the  number  of  settlers  suddenly  increased  surprisingly,  and  the 
claims  began  to  be  improved.  Eli  Ellis,  P.  T.  Ellis,  Mr.  Sheets,  William  Boyer, 
John  Turreaure,  and  a  few  others  came  in  1840.  Improvements  began  to  be 
made  everywhere,  and  the  condition  of  the  township  was  greatly  bettered. 
Mills  were  built  along  Yellow  Creek,  some  of  which  are  still  standing,  such  as 
Liberty  mills  and  Hess'  mills.  All  of  them  have  long  been  silent. 

1  The  growth  of  Freeport  offered  an  impetus  to  settlements  in  Florence 
Township.  Formerly  farmers  had  sought  the  more  distant  parts  of  the  county, 
such  as  Rock  Grove  Township,  and  Winslow  and  West  Point,  owing  to  the 
fact  that  agricultural  prospects  in  those  portions  of  the  country  were  brighter. 
Now  they  began  to  discover  that  Florence  Township  contained  a  goodly  extent 
of  tillable  land,  and  the  nearness  of  a  base  of  supplies  at  the  county  seat  quickly 
boosted  the  price  of  land.  Also  the  proximity  of  Kirkpatrick's  mills  at  Mill 
Grove,  in  Loran  Township,  and  the  comparative  insignificance  of  the  distance 
to  the  old  Van  Valzah  mills  at  Cedarville. 

By  1850  the  claims  were  taken  up,  and  the  township  was  about  filled  up.  In 
that  year,  and  within  the  next  four  years,  the  country  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  township,  along  the  banks  of  Yellow  Creek,  suffered  greatly  from  the  plague 
of  Asiatic  Cholera  which  fell  upon  Stephenson  County  at  that  time,  and  a  large 
number  of  deaths  were  reported.  Gradually  the  plague  wasted  itself,  and, 
since  1854,  it  has  never  visited  these  regions. 

By  1840  there  was  a  demand  for  schools  in  Florence  Township,  and,  in 
response,  the  first  school  was  opened,  in  James  Hart's  log  cabin,  with  Miss  Fla- 
villa  Forbes  as  teacher.  By  1850  the  school  census  of  the  township  showed  such 
an  increase  that  other  schools  were  imperative  necessities.  In  1857  tne  nrst 
railroad,  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul,  then  known  as  the  Western  Union 
Railroad,  surveyed  its  line  across  the  southeastern  corner  of  Florence  Town- 
ship. In  1859  their  line  was  built,  and  with  the  coming  of  the  Iron  Horse  the 
pioneer  history  of  Florence  Township  is  past.  Later  the  Great  Western  sur- 
veyed its  line  through  the  county,  and  immediately  the  village  of  Van  Brock- 
lin,  at  Liberty  Mills,  then  rechristened  Bolton,  sprang  into  prominence  as  a 
settlement  of  importance. 

The  farm  lands  of  Florence  Township  today  present  a  neat  and  orderly  ap- 
pearance. It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  when  the  Freeporters  have  friends  01 
out-of-town  guests  to  whom  they  wish  to  show  the  fine  farming  lands  of  the 
county,  they  invariably  take  them  out  on  the  Pearl  City  road,  and  down  south 
through  Florence  Township.  And  this  is  not  wholly  on  account  of  the  ac- 


414  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

cessibility  of  Florence,  but  because  the  region  justly  deserves  its  name  of  the 
most  fertile  and  prosperous  of  the  regions  round  about. 

There  are  a  number  of  Freeport  enterprises,  connected  with  the  growth  and 
development  of  Florence  Township,  which  deserve  mention  in  connection  with 
the  history  here  presented. 

Krape  Park.  Globe  Park,  in  the  possession  of  the  Order  of  the  Knights  of 
the  Globe,  was  established  about  ten  years  ago,  and  named  from  the  organ- 
ization of  which  W.  W.  Krape  was  founder  and  supreme  captain  general.  It 
is  a  portion  of  the  wooded  land  lying  on  the  banks  of  Yellow  Creek  about 
a  mile  west  and  two  miles  south  of  town.  Just  adjoining  the  tract  are  Beebe's 
Woods,  noted  for  their  popularity  as  a  picnic  ground  for  Freeporters. 

When  the  Cosmopolitan  Life  Insurance  Company  went  out  of  existence, 
and  the  Order  of  the  Knights  of  the  Globe  suffered  in  consequence,  Globe 
Park  passed  from  the  hands  of  the  fraternity  into  Mr.  Krape's  own  hands, 
and  the  park  was  rechristened  Krape  Park.  For  several  years  it  has  been 
the  seat  of  the  Freeport  Chautauqua,  of  which  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Krape  were  the 
instigators  and  advisory  committee. 

A  number  of  improvements  have  been  made,  which  improve  the  park  as  a 
camping  and  chautauqua  ground,  but  somewhat  mar  the  natural  wilderness. 
The  necessary  park  buildings,  including  a  very  attractive  and  commodious  little 
lodge  for  the  keeper  of  the  park,  have  been  built,  a  windmill  on  the  banks 
of  the  creek  supplies  the  place  with  drinking  water,  and  a  large  iron  bridge 
spans  the  creek  near  the  park  lodge.  Formerly  a  bridge  was  built  across  the 
dam,  farther  down  stream,  but  four  years  ago,  it  was  deemed  unsafe  and 
removed,  and  the  present  structure  forthwith  built.  Across  stream  are  lo- 
cated the  Chautauqua  buildings.  No  large  auditorium  has  been  built  as  yet, 
but  one  is  contemplated.  Several  cottages  have  been  built  on  the  cliffs,  and 
swings  and  park  benches  add  to  the  comfort  and  convenience. 

Nature  had  done  her  best  to  render  the  site  of  Krape  Park  attractive. 
Yellow  Creek,  at  other  points  a  very  ordinary  muddy  prairie  streamlet,  is  here 
transformed  into  a  sylvan  river  of  exquisite  beauty.  On  the  south  side  of 
the  creek  the  limestone  cliffs  tower  to  a  height  of  two  hundred  feet,  indented 
with  numberless  caves  and  tiny  indentures.  A  natural  bridge  of  considerable 
proportions  spans  the  dry  bed  of  a  stream,  which  formerly  made  its  way  down 
the  cliff  side  in  the  form  of  a  tiny  waterfall,  and  which,  at  times,  becomes 
gorged  with  the  spring  rains.  Two  large  caves  in  the  rock  are  accessible  from 
the  river  and  by  pathway  from  overhead.  One  of  these  is  known  as  Krape's 
Cave,  while  a  smaller  but  more  picturesque  opening,  far  above,  half  covered 
with  trailing  vines  and  shrubbery,  is  known  as  Bear  Cave.  A  huge  cliff,  ris- 
ing above  Krape's  Cave,  and  surmounted  with  a  growth  of  evergreen,  has  be- 
come known  as  Cedar  Cliff,  and  the  point  of  land  on  the  heights  overhead,  from 
which  an  extended  and  lovely  prospect  of  the  park  and  surrounding  country 
is  visible,  is  christened  Lookout  Mountain.  Until  recently  animals  have  been 
kept  in  the  park,  but  not  long  ago  the  deer  were  taken  away.  Krape  Park  is 
about  two  miles  from  the  heart  of  the  city,  and  is  accessible  by  an  automobile 
transfer  line  from  the  courthouse. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  415 

Oakland  Cemetery.  The  new  cemetery,  four  miles  from  Freeport,  covers 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  wooded  land,  extending  southward  about 
a  mile  from  the  Pearl  City  road.  The  landscape  gardener  has  done  his  most 
to  beautify  the  locality,  and  a  large  part  of  it  is  now  laid  out  with  winding 
drives  and  carriage  paths.  A  large  stone  gateway  half  hidden  by  vines  and 
trees  forms  the  entrance  to  the  cemetery  and  from  the  entrance,  the  drive  leads 
down  into  the  hollow  and  up  on  the  hill  where  most  of  the  lots  now  sold  are 
located. 

Several  stone  buildings  have  been  erected  on  the  premises.  There  is  a  stone 
receiving  vault,  built  into  the  hillside,  down  in  the  southern  end  of  the  ceme- 
tery, a  stone  chapel  where  services  can  be  held,  and  one  marble  mausoleum 
erected  by  Jacob  Schaetzel.  Many  of  the  lots  of  the  city  cemetery  have  been 
transferred  to  Oakland  Cemetery,  and  the  place  is  now  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  spots  in  the  neighborhood  of  Freeport. 

BOLTON. 

Bolton  comprises  two  villages:  the  original  village,  known  as  Van  Brocklin, 
which  contains  a  church  and  originally  contained  the  store  and  post-office,  and 
the  new  village,  called  Bolton,  which  is  built  about  the  Chicago  Great  Western 
station,  nearly  a  mile  south  of  Van  Brocklin.  The  old  village  is  of  early  foun- 
dation, and  marks  the  site  of  the  first  permanent  settlement  in  Florence  Town- 
ship. The  new  village  dates  from  1887,  when  the  railroad  station  was  erected 
and  the  plat  of  the  town  laid  out  south  of  the  station. 

There  is  nothing  of  interest  at  Bolton.  The  town  contains  a  grain  elevator, 
a  creamery  owned  by  a  farmers'  stock  company,  and  a  distillery,  which  caters 
to  a  local  trade.  The  population  of  the  town  is  about  fifty,  with  small  signs 
of  an  appreciable  future  increase.  Yellow  Creek  winds  through  the  old  vil- 
lage of  Van  Brocklin,  now  almost  deserted,  but  for  the  country  church.  The 
site  is  very  picturesque,  lying  a  short  distance  southwest  of  the  limestone  cliffs 
and  caves  of  Krape  Park.  The  old  village  is  interesting  as  the  site  of  an  early 
settlement  in  the  county's  history,  but  the  new  village  is  practically  without 
life  or  interest. 

LORAN  TOWNSHIP. 

Loran  Township  is  one  of  the  western  townships  of  the  southern  tier.  It 
is  bounded  on  the  west  by  Jefferson  Township,  on  the  north  by  Kent  and  Erin, 
on  the  east  by  Florence,  and  on  the  south  by  Carroll  County.  Until  1859  it 
was  of  much  larger  extent  than  at  present,  comprising  also  the  township  of 
Jefferson,  with  its  eighteen  square  miles  extent.  In  1859,  owing  to  a  petition 
of  the  dwellers  in  the  western  part  of  Loran,  that  section  was  divided  off,  and 
became  a  separate  township.  As  Jefferson  Township  has  been  treated  else- 
where, we  now  propose  to  treat  of  the  settlers  who  took  up  their  claims  and 
established  themselves  in  that  part  of  the  country  which  is  now  Loran  Town- 
ship. 


416  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  first  settlement  in  the  township  was  made  in  1836  by  William  Kirk- 
patrick,  who  subsequently  built  Kirkpatrick's  mills  and  became  a  figure  of  great 
prominence  in  the  county  history.  He  established  himself  in  Section  14,  on 
the  banks  of  Yellow  Creek,  at  the  settlement  which  was  later  known  by  the 
name  of  Mill  Grove.  Here  he  soon  erected  his  mill — just  at  what  time  we  can- 
not say.  Some  of  the  old  settlers  assert  that  he  put  it  up  in  1836  or  1837 — > 
as  soon  as  he  had  got  his  household  settled.  Others  are  quite  as  vehement  in 
their  declarations  that  the  event  did  not  take  place  until  1838.  Whatever  the 
time  was,  it  is  of  small  importance  to  know  the  exact  date.  It  is  altogether 
probable  that  Mr.  Kirkpatrick  built  his  mills  as  early  as  1837  at  least,  for  the 
traditions  of  the  village  of  Winneshiek,  which  became  Freeport,  affirm  that 
some  of  the  houses  of  that  settlement  were  constructed  of  boards  brought 
from  Kirkpatrick's  mills  on  Yellow  Creek. 

Mr.  Kirkpatrick  built  his  mill  as  soon  as  he  did  his  house,  and  the  traditions 
say  that  he  was  subjected  to  all  sorts  of  hardships  while  the  building  was  going 
on,  being  forced  to  sleep  in  his  wagon,  in  an  improvised  tent,  and  so  forth. 

Loran  Township  was  settled  very  slowly,  and  later  than  almost  any  other 
section  of  the  county.  As  late  as  1838  the  settlers  were  few  and  scattered,  and 
confined  almost  entirely  to  the  Kirkpatricks  and  the  few  people  about  the 
mill  in  the  Mill  Grove  settlement.  In  the  next  year  Smith  Giddings  came,  with 
John  Shoemaker,  who  settled  in  Section  19,  Albert  Curry,  and  Sylvester  Lang- 
don,  who  established  himself  in  Section  15.  There  were  others,  but  their  names 
are  now  forgotten. 

In  1840  a  considerable  delegation  of  new  settlers  arrived:  the  Babb  fam- 
ily, including  Samuel  Babb,  Solomon  Babb,  Reuben  Babb,  and  Isaac  Babb; 
Mathias  Ditzler,  and  Christian  Ditzler.  In  1841,  George  House  arrived  and 
soon  after  him  John  Lamb.  Warren  Andrews  and  Anson  Andrews  came  about 
this  time,  but  just  when  it  is  impossible  to  say.  They  settled  in  Section  3,  and 
there  erected  a  mill  on  the  banks  of  the  creek.  In  1842  Horace  Post  came,  and 
located  near  the  Andrews  brothers'  mill.  Among  the  other  settlers  who  came 
in  this  year  were  Truman  Lowell,  Moses  Grigsby,  William  Barklow,  Thomas 
Foster  (both  of  these  men  settled  in  Section  17)  ;  Joseph  Rush,  in  the  south- 
western corner  of  the  township;  Samuel  Shively,  near  Yellow  Creek;  John 
Apgar,  also  on  the  creek  bank  near  Kirkpatrick's  mill;  Henry  Layer,  and  two 
men  by  the  name  of  Slocum  and  Pointer. 

Until  1848  settlers  came  slowly  and  in  small  numbers.  While  the  rest  of 
the  county  began  to  crowd  up  with  emigrants  about  1840,  Loran  Township  did 
not  receive  its  full  quota  for  fully  eight  years.  With  1848,  the  process  of 
change  began  and  soon  Loran  became  as  populous  as  any  township  in  Stephen- 
son  County.  The  first  marriage  said  to  have  occurred  in  Loran  was  that  of 
Thomas  French  and  Polly  Kirkpatrick,  who  were  married  in  the  fall  of  1840. 
A  certain  Mrs.  James  who  died  about  the  same  time  and  was  buried  in  the 
township  was  the  first  death.  The  first  school  in  the  township  was  founded 
in  1840  at  Kirkpatrick's  Mills,  where  it  remained  for  about  a  year.  Then  the 
pedagogue  removed  his  parlors  of  learning  to  a  new  schoolhouse  built  especially 
for  the  purpose  in  Section  2,  near  Babb's  church.  The  men  instrumental 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  417 

in  securing  the  new  building  were  Reuben  Babb,  William  Kirkpatrick,  and  An- 
son  Andrews,  the  first  school  trustees  of  Loran. 

Until  late  years  Loran  Township  has  always  been  behind  the  other  town- 
ships of  the  county  in  point  of  development.  One  reason  for  the  neglect  which 
the  township  suffered  was  the  comparative  unhealthfulness  of  the  township, 
especially  along  the  banks  of  Yellow  Creek.  It  is  said  that  all  sorts  of  fevers 
and  agues  prevailed  along  the  banks  of  that  stream,  while  even  the  inhabi- 
tants farther  inland  were  subject  to  fevers  of  the  severest  sort.  Now-a-days 
this  condition  of  affairs  has  been  entirely  dissipated,  and  it  is  very  hard  to 
realize  what  must  have  been  the  dangers  to  which  the  early  Loranites  were 
subjected.  In  1850,  when  the  cholera  plague  made  its  presence  known  in  the 
county,  Loran  suffered  excruciatingly.  Mill  Grove,  about  Kirkpatrick's  Mills, 
was  nearly  wiped  out  of  existence.  All  the  farms  in  the  vicinity  felt  the  ef- 
fects of  the  plague,  which  was  in  every  instance  of  so  sudden  and  violent  a 
character,  that  many  a  sufferer  who  had  not  realized  that  the  poison  was  work- 
ing in  his  system  in  the  morning  was  seized  with  the  sickness  and  died  before 
sunset.  In  1852,  when  the  cholera  appeared  the  second  time,  the  horrible  story 
of  two  years  previous  was  repeated  with  even  greater  calamities.  In  1854,  on 
the  occasion  of  the  third  and  last  visit,  Kirkpatrick's  Mills  suffered  again. 
Since  that  time,  the  improvement  of  the  farms,  and  the  drainage  of  the  land 
has  brought  about  so  great  a  change  "that  Loran  Township  has  no  longer  a 
reputation  for  unhealthfulness  as  a  place  of  abode.  Mill  Grove  has  disappeared, 
but  Pearl  City  is  very  much  alive  and  is  as  thrifty  and  thriving  a  little  set- 
tlement as  can  be  found  in  the  rural  districts  of  Illinois. 

In  addition  to  the  unhealthfulness  of  the  land  there  were  the  various  other 
plagues  to  which  the  early  settlers  of  Stephenson  County  were  subject:  snakes, 
the  unfriendly  red  man,  and  the  ordinary  terrors  of  the  wilderness,  of  which 
we  can  have  not  the  slightest  conception  today.  But  the  farmers  were  sturdy 
and  survived  the  perils  of  the  years  and  their  descendants  are  engaged  in  the 
cultivation  of  farms  which  are  as  productive  and  well  conducted  as  any  that 
can  be  found  in  the  county. 

The  township  is  well  supplied  with  streams.  Yellow  Creek,  entering  from 
Kent  Township  at  the  north,  flows  south  and  east  through  Loran  and  is  joined 
by  a  large  number  of  sluggish  creeks  and  brooklets.  The  Chicago  &  Great 
Western  Railroad  crosses  the  township  from  east  to  northwest,  following  some- 
what the  course  of  Yellow  Creek,  with  its  one  station  at  Pearl  City.  The 
area  is  the  regulation  thirty-six  square  miles,  since  the  division  with  Jefferson 
Township. 

MILL  GROVE. 

There  is  little  to  tell  concerning  the  history  of  Mill  Grove,  but  what  there 
is  is  of  a  profoundly  pathetic  nature.  The  settlement  marked  the  site  of  the 
first  permanent  settlement  in  Loran  Township.  It  is  located  in  Section  14,  on 
the  banks  of  Yellow  Creek,  where  that  stream  makes  a  wide  curve  and  loop  to 
the  northward,  and  William  Kirkpatrick  was  the  man  whose  efforts  brought  it 
into  life. 


418  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

He  settled  here  with  his  household  effects  in  1836,  and  straightway  pro- 
ceeded to  build  a  mill  which  was  christened  Kirkpatrick's  Mill.  For  a  long 
time,  it  remained  the  mill  of  greatest  importance  in  the  county,  its  nearest 
competitor  being  the  Van  Valzah  Mills  at  Cedarville,  established  by  Dr.  Van 
Valzah.  When  new  emigrants  came  to  Loran  Township,  Kirkpatrick's  Mill 
was  the  logical  place  for  them  to  take  up  their  abode.  Not  only  was  it  the 
only  settlement  of  consequence,  but  the  rest  of  the  township  was  almost  an 
untrodden  wilderness,  and  the  courageous  pioneer  was  never  desirous  of  hew- 
ing himself  a  home  in  the  wilderness  when  there  was  already  one  hewn  out 
for  him  on  the  outskirts  of  the  virgin  forest.  So  Mill  Grove  continued  to  thrive 
and  became  quite  a  settlement  in  spite  of  the  unhealth  fulness  of  the  site. 

But  the  settlers  had  founded  their  expectations  upon  vain  hopes  if  they 
ever  thought  Mill  Grove  would  become  a  settlement  of  considerable  size.  In 
1850  the  cholera  visited  Kirkpatrick's  Mills  with  disastrous  results.  In  1852 
the  dread  disease  appeared  again,  and  almost  the  whole  population  was 
which  to  operate.  The  population  was  gone,  the  town  dead,  and  the  wheels 
of  the  mill  silent.  Never  again  did  Mill  Grove  attain  importance  as  a  settle- 
ment. When  the  schoolhouse  was  moved  away  in  1841,  no  second  institution 
of  learning  was  ever  built.  With  the  advent  of  the  cholera  and  its  attendant 
calamities,  the  town  was  abandoned,  and  its  name  is  almost  forgotten. 

PEARL  CITY. 

Pearl  City  is  one  of  the  most  wide  awake  and  progressive  villages  of  Stephen- 
son  County.  It  has  a  population  of  about  five  hundred  inhabitants,  and  ranks 
about  fourth  in  size  in  the  list  of  Stephenson  County  towns.  While  it  is  a  vil- 
lage in  point  of  organization,  and  number  of  inhabitants,  Pearl  City,  as  its 
name  rightly  indicates,  has  many  of  the  qualities  of  a  miniature  city.  It  is 
not  far  from  Freeport,  but  the  fact  that  it  is  not  connected  with  the  county 
seat  by  railroad  has  permitted  it  to  devleop  independently,  and  has  kept  many 
of  its  citizens  from  transferring  their  place  of  residence  to  the  larger  city. 

Pearl  City  is  in  reality  made  up  of  two  separate  and  distinct  villages :  Pearl 
City,  the  main  village,  the  business  section  of  which  is  located  south  of  the 
Chicago  Great  Western  tracks,  and  Yellow  Creek,  the  old  original  Pearl  City, 
which  is  located  north  of  the  railroad  tracks,  and  has  completely  separate 
business  and  residential  sections  of  its  own.  Yellow  Creek  is  now  known  as 
the  "north  side"  to  the  people  of  Pearl  City,  and  contains  the  few  scattered 
buildings  which  are  remnants  of  the  old  village. 

Concerning  the  history  of  Pearl  City  there  is  not  a  great  deal  to  tell.  The 
village  is  of  comparatively  recent  growth,  having  been  almost  entirely  built 
up  within  the  last  twenty  years.  Before  the  Chicago  Great  Western  Railroad 
came  through  the  county  there  existed  a  tiny  settlement  known  as  Yellow  Creek, 
which  contained  a  blacksmith  shop,  general  store  and  post-office,  and  three  or 
four  houses.  The  location  of  the  village  was  not  especially  pleasant,  and  it 
did  not  seem  at  all  likely  that  a  village  of  consequence  was  to  be  erected  at 
that  point.  But  the  advent  of  the  railroad  changed  matters.  A  station  was 
established  at  Yellow  Creek,  and  a  grain  elevator  built,  after  which  the  town 


A  Pearl  City  Church 


Old  Evangelical  Olmrch.  Buckeye  Center 


Church  at  Bleroy 


C'lmrch  west  of  McDonnell 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSE  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  419 

immediately  began  to  feel  its  own  importance.     The  Yellow  Creek  settlement,  . 
which  was  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of  the  point  at  which  the  station  had 
been  erected,  was  enhanced  by  the  addition  of  a  few  houses,  and  one  or  two 
stores  were  also  put  up. 

But  the  distance  of  the  station  from  the  village,  and  the  inconvenience  at- 
tached thereto  soon  caused  a  revolution  in  the  village.  The  more  progressive 
merchants  moved  about  half  a  mile  south  of  their  old  locations  and  erected  new 
buildings  close  to  the  Great  Western  tracks.  Three  grain  elevators  were  put 
up,  also  south  of  the  tracks.  With  the  building  of  two  brick  buildings  in  the 
new  business  section,  the  growth  of  the  new  village  seemed  assured.  The  rail- 
road had  caused  the  whole  site  to  be  platted  out  when  it  came  through,  and 
the  officials  of  that  company  were  interested  in  bringing  the  village  farther 
toward  the  station. 

Still  the  name  of  the  settlement  remained  "Yellow  Creek"  and  the  sign 
painted  upon  the  Great  Western  station  announced  the  fact  to  travelers.  Finally 
a  number  of  public  spirited  citizens,  feeling  that  it  was  inappropriate  that 
their  growing  town  should  be  hampered  by  the  public  proclamation  of  its 
proximity  to  Yellow  Creek,  petitioned  for  a  change  of  name  and  the  village 
became  "Pearl  City"  about  fifteen  years  ago.  Since  that  time  the  name  of  the 
railroad  station  has  also  been  changed,  and  now  the  metropolitan  character  of 
the  settlement  is  assured  in  name  if  not  in  fact. 

The  churches  of  Pearl  City  are  three  in  number,  the  First  Methodist 
church,  St.  John's  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  and  the  Dunkard 
church. 

First  Methodist  Church.  The  Methodist  church  is  the  leading  church  of 
Pearl  City,  both  in  size  and  activity.  The  early  history  of  the  church  is  ex- 
tremely difficult  to  trace.  In  the  beginning  it  was  a  part  of  the  Kent  circuit, 
and  was  ministered  to  by  a  student  pastor.  About  fifteen  years  ago,  the  Pearl. 
City  congregation,  having  increased  greatly  in  size,  felt  hampered  by  the  lack 
of  church  facilities  offered,  and  decided  to  petition  for  the  establishment  of  a 
separate  church,  and  a  pastor  who  should  be  able  to  devote  his  entire  time  to 
Pearl  City.  The  petition  was  carried  through,  and  the  Pearl  City  congrega- 
tion became  a  separate  organization. 

Soon  after  this  event,  the  church  previously  occupied  by  the  congregation 
was  sold  to  the  Dunkard  congregation,  and  the  erection  of  a  new  structure 
commenced.  Previous  to  the  occupation  of  their  first  church  the  Methodists 
had  been  in  the  old  town  hall  which  stands  just  south  of  the  present  commo- 
dious edifice.  The  new  church,  probably  the  handsomest  country  church  in 
the  county,  was  built  in  1901  at  a  cost  of  $5,000,  L.  W.  Herbruck  being  espe- 
cially instrumental  in  the  work  of  building. 

The  latest  work  of  the  congregation  has  been  the  building  of  a  new  par- 
sonage for  the  minister,  next  to  the  church.  This  parsonage,  which  cost  about 
$3,000,  was  completed  the  latter  part  of  July,  1910.  The  church  is  in  a  flour- 
ishing and  satisfactory  condition  in  every  way.  The  congregation  numbers  sev- 
enty, with  a  Sunday  school  of  approximately  one  hundred  and  fifty.  The  Rev. 
J.  V.  Bennett  is  the  minister  at  present  in  charge. 


420  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

St.  John's  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church.  The  Lutheran  church  of 
Pearl  City,  which  is  located  on  the  south  side  of  the  town,  and  occupies  a  hand- 
some brown  frame  structure,  was  organized  September  i,  1888,  with  a  charter 
membership  of  thirteen  earnest  members.  Rev.  Klock  was  the  first  pastor. 

Soon  after  organization  the  congregation  deciding  upon  the  erection  of  a 
church  building,  the  present  edifice  was  built,  and  has  been  occupied  for  about 
twenty  years. 

The  Pearl  City  church  is  on  the  same  circuit  with  the  Kent  church,  both 
of  the  churches  receiving  the  services  of  the  Rev.  Alex.  MacLaughlin  as  pastor. 
The  Pearl  City  church  has  a  membership  of  thirty-nine,  with  a  Sunday  school 
of  about  fifty-five  members.  "  The  church  property  is  valued  at  $2,500,  with  a 
parsonage  worth  $2,000. 

Dunkard  Church.  The  Dunkards'  stronghold  in  Stephenson  County  has  al- 
ways been  in  the  western  part  of  the  county  in  the  vicinity  of  Pearl  City  and 
Kent.  There  had  always  been  a  number  of  the  sect  in  the  village  itself,  but 
they  never  occupied  a  church  edifice  of  their  own  until  about  fifteen  years  ago, 
when  they  purchased  the  church  of  the  Methodist  congregation.  They  have  no 
pastor,  but  every  member  of  the  congregation  officiates  as  pastor  in  turn.  The 
membership  of  the  church  is  somewhat  fluctuating,  but  remains  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  fifty. 

Lodges.  Pearl  City,  like  every  other  country  village  in  this  section  of  the 
country,  supports  a  number  of  lodges.  Most  of  these  have  been  founded  within 
the  last  ten  years,  and  deserve  only  passing  mention.  The  Masonic  lodge  is 
the  oldest  of  the  aggregation,  and  holds  an  important  place  in  village  activities. 

Pearl  Lodge,  No.  823,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  The  Pearl  Lodge  of  the  Masonic 
order  was  founded  in  the  winter  of  1893.  It  is  the  most  important  fraternal 
organization  of  Pearl  City,  and  has  a  membership  of  about  sixty-five.  Meetings 
are  held  on  the  first  and  third  Tuesdays  of  the  month.  Dr.  M.  W.  Hooker  is 
worshipful  master,  and  C.  G.  Robinson  is  secretary. 

Fox  Camp.  No.  711,  M.  W.  A.  The  Woodmen  founded  their  Pearl  City 
lodge  about  fifteen  years  ago,  and  have  maintained  a  prosperous  and  lively  or- 
ganization ever  since.  The  camp  meets  every  Thursday  evening.  The  officers 
are:  J.  F.  Mishler,  V.  C.,  and  John  Seebold,  clerk. 

Eleroy  Lodge,  No.  247,  I.  O.  0.  F.  The  Eleroy  lodge  was  organized  at 
Eleroy,  in  Erin  Township,  on  the  i8th  of  December,  1857,  but  was  transferred 
to  Pearl  City  a  few  years  ago.  It  is  now  attended  by  the  inhabitants  of  both 
villages,  and  by  the  farmers  of  the  country  lying  between.  Although  the  lodge 
itself  is  by  far  the  oldest  in  the  list,  the  time  of  its  existence  in  Pearl  City  has 
been  comparatively  short,  and  hence  it  ranks  among  the  newer  Pearl  City  lodges. 
Meetings  are  held  every  Monday.  P.  H.  Schnell  is  noble  grand,  and  J.  V.  Ben- 
nett secretary. 

The  other  lodges  have  all  been  founded  since  1900,  and  occupy  somewhat 
secondary  position  in  the  fraternal  life  of  the  community.  They  are: 

Rose  Leaf  Camp,  No.  no,  R.  N.  A.  The  Royal  Neighbors  meet  on  the  sec- 
ond and  fourth  Fridays  of  every  month.  The  officers  are:  Oracle,  Sarah  Heine; 
recorder,  Lucy  Hooker. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  421 

Orpha  Chapter,  No.  304,  Eastern  Star.  The  Eastern  Star  meets  on  the  first 
and  third  Friday  evenings  of  the  month.  Emma  Sheffy  is  worthy  matron,  and 
Julia  E.  Snow  performs  the  duties  of  secretary  of  the  organization. 

Pearl  City  Banking  Company.  The  banking  facilities  of  Pearl  City  are  un- 
excelled for  a  village  of  the  size.  The  Pearl  City  Bank,  a'  private  corporation, 
was  organized  about  twenty  years  ago,  by  Simon  Tollmeier,  who  became  the' 
first  president,  and  has  since  continued  to  hold  the  office.  The  firm  represents 
a  capital  of  $25,000,  and  a  personal  responsibility  of  $250,000.  The  officers  are: 
President,  Simon  Tollmeier;  vice  president,  Dr.  S.  H.  Aurand;  cashier,  A.  L. 
Kurd ;  directors,  Simon  Tollmeier,  Dr.  S.  H.  Aurand,  Frank  R.  Erwin,  Fred 
Tollmeier,  Frederick  Althof,  Henry  Althof,  August  Althof,  Charles  Althof,  Al- 
bert Althof,  Otto  Althof. 

The  bank  occupies  a  frame  structure  on  Main  street  which  is  well  fitted  out 
for  its  banking  offices. 

Pearl  City  News.  One  of  the  best  country  newspapers  of  the  state  is  the 
Pearl  City  News,  edited  and  managed  by  Dr.  M.  W.  Hooker,  who  purchased 
the  paper  last  March.  It  was  founded  in  1889  by  William  H.  McCall,  who  also 
started  the  Orangeville  Courier  on  its  career.  Mr.  McCall  resigned  after  fill- 
ing the  editor's  chair  for  a  brief  time,  and  Ed  Barklow  took  charge  of  the 
venture.  Subsequently  the  paper  fell  into  many  hands.  It  passed  under  the 
management  of  Messrs.  Beadell,  Perkins,  Freas,  and  Buckley,  and  on  March 
i,  1910,  was  sold  to  Dr.  Hooker. 

Dr.  Hooker  occupies  the  position  of  editor,  with  his  brother,  O.  G.  Hooker, 
as  associate  editor.  The  paper  has  a  large  circulation  among  the  farmers  of 
the  vicinity.  It  is  a  seven  column  weekly  octavo,  and  is  an  attractive  up-to- 
date  sheet  in  every  respect. 

The  management  of  the  Pearl  City  News  also  publishes  the  Kent  Observer, 
a  weekly  newspaper  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  village  of  Kent.  This  por- 
tion of  the  paper  was  founded  by  Mr.  Freas  during  his  management  of  the  con- 
cern. The  Kent  Observer  occupies  the  last  four  pages  of  the  News,  the  two 
papers  being  printed  together,  and  containing  items  of  interest  for  both  of  the 
villages.  The  News  also  maintains  correspondents  in  the  various  country  towns 
about  Pearl  City,  and  publishes  items  of  interest  to  the  subscribers  in  those 
localities. 

Pearl  Hotel.  The  hotel  of  Pearl  City,  known  as  the  Pearl  Hotel,  occupies 
a  frame  structure  near  the  railroad  station.  It  is  a  neat,  well  kept,  and  inviting 
hostelry,  far  superio'r  to  the  ordinary  country  village  tavern.  L.  J.  Krell  was 
proprietor  for  some  time,  but  disposed  of  his  interests  to  Mrs.  Dodge  who  is 
the  present  owner. 

The  hotel  offers  excellent  accommodations  at  somewhat  reasonable  prices. 
The  table  is  especially  good. 

The  business  districts  of  Pearl  City  and  Yellow  Creek  contain  two  or  three 
dozen  stores,  including  general  stores,  hardware  establishments,  millineries,  dry 
goods,  drug  stores,  a  blacksmith  shop,  livery  stable,  etc.  The  business  outlook 
of  the  town  is  most  satisfactory,  and  the  prosperity  of  its  inhabitants  may  be 
judged  from  the  statement  that  there  are  sixteen  automobiles  owned  at  present 
within  the  corporate  limits  of  the  village.  Many  of  the  farmers  about  Pearl 


422  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

City  are  also  owners  of  the  horseless  carriages,  and  the  whole  of  the  rural  dis- 
tricts thereabout  present  an  appearance  of  thrift,  careful  attention,  and  scien- 
tific farming.  Pearl  City  is  thirteen  miles  from  Freeport,  and  is  accessible  from 
the  county  seat  either  by  carriage,  or  by  the  Chicago  Great  Western  from  the 
South  Freeport  station. 

FREEPORT. 

RELIGIOUS. 
FIRST   PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Freeport  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being 
the  oldest  Protestant  church,  not  only  in  Freeport,  but  in  the  county.  It  was 
organized  in  1842,  with  Rev.  Calvin  Waterbury  as  pastor,  November  24th  be- 
ing the  traditional  date  of  its  founding.  At  the  meeting  said  to  have  been  held 
on  that  date  Rev.  Mr.  Waterbury  presided  as  moderator,  Samuel  Spencer  acted 
as  derk,  and  a  resolution  was  adopted  setting  forth  the  confession  of  faith  in 
the  form  and  government  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  the  United  States. 
Of  the  fifteen  men  and  women  who  assembled  on  that  memorable  day,  not  one 
is  today  alive.  They  included,  besides  the  pastor,  the  following  persons,  all 
of  them  names  of  importance  in  the  early  history  of  the  county :  Philip  Reitzell, 
Mrs.  Mary  Reitzell,  Orestes  H.  Wright,  Mrs.  Emmaretta  Henderson,  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Lucas,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  W.  Lucas,  Mrs.  Sarah  Young,  Asa  W.  Rice, 
Mrs.  Nancy  Rice,  Orrin  B.  Munn,  Mrs.  Jane  L.  Wright,  Samuel  Spencer,  and 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Spencer.  The  Rev.  Calvin  Waterbury  was  formally  installed  as 
minister  by  his  congregation  of  fourteen,  and  the  records  state  that  his  annual 
salary  was  fixed  at  $400,  probably  an  extraordinary  sum  for  the  year  1842. 
For  some  time  worship  was  held  in  the  courthouse,  but  as  the  congregation 
grew,  the  trustees  felt  the  need  of  a  regular  place  of  worship,  and  accordingly 
two  lots  were  secured  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Walnut  and  Stephenson  streets, 
where  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building  stands  today.  One  of  these  was  purchased  for 
the  sum  of  $40,  the  other  was  donated  by  Kirkpatrick  and  Baker. 

Plans  were  immediately  drawn  up  for  a  church  edifice  of  brick  and  stone, 
to  occupy  a  space  40  by  65,  and  to  cost  $460.  A  subscription  was  undertaken 
and  before  long  the  directors  felt  safe  in  proceeding  with  the  work  of  building. 
The  stone  for  the  foundation  was  quarried  across  the  river  and  hauled  to  the 
place  of  building  by  an  ox  team  driven  by  L.  L.  Munn.  The  wood  timbers  were 
also  cut  in  the  neighborhood,  and  the  workers  started  out  with  zeal  to  finish  their 
labor  in  a  short  space  of  time.  They  never  finished  it,  however,  for  sufficient 
funds  were  not  forthcoming,  and  when  only  half  completed,  the  church  was 
deserted,  the  pastor  resigned,  and  with  him  fifteen  members  of  the  congregation 
left  the  church.  It  was  a  critical  period  in  the  history  of  the  church,  but  the 
church  survived.  In  December,  1847,  shortly  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Waterbury,  Rev.  J.  C.  Downer  was  called  to  take  charge.  During  the  years 
1847-1853  when  Rev.  Mr.  Downer  was  with  the  church,  a  phenomenal  growth 
was  experienced.  Work  was  re-commenced  on  the  deserted  church,  and  it  was 
finished  for  occupancy  in  1851.  To  years  later,  the  pastor  received  another  call 


FIHST   1'UKSr.YTEKlAX  1'IH'KCII         ST.   MARY'S  CATHOLIC  CHURCH 
ENGLISH   l.rTIIEKAX  CHl'RCII        ST.   JOSKI'II'S  CATHOLIC  CHfHCII 


LIBRARY 
OF  IHE 

Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  423 

and  left  Freeport,  to  be  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Isaac  E.  Carey.  Mr.  Carey  re- 
mained in  charge  for  three  years,  and  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  C.  B.  Van 
Zandt  who  left  two  years  later,  in  1860.  Rev.  Mr.  Waterbury,  the  first  pastor 
of  the  church  returned  again  for  the  space  of  one  year,  and  at  the  close  of  that 
time,  resigned,  leaving  the  church  without  a  pastor  for  a  whole  year.  In  1862, 
Mr.  Carey  was  again  called  to  the  charge. 

By  this  time  the  congregation  had  outgrown  its  quarters  again  and  a  move- 
ment was  started  for  the  erection  of  a  new  edifice  across  the  street  on  the  spot 
where  the  present  building  stands.  In  1866  the  comer  stone  was  laid  with  ap- 
propriate ceremonies,  and  October  31,  1867  it  was  completed  and  dedicated  by 
Professor  F.  W.  Fiske,  of  Chicago,  who  preached  the  sermon,  and  Rev.  J.  W. 
Cunningham,  who  offered  the  dedicatory  prayer.  On  the  evening  of  the  same 
day,  Rev.  Carey  was  installed  as  pastor,  the  sermon  being  preached  by  Rev.  C. 
A.  Williams  of  Rockford,  and  the  charge  to  the  pastor  being  given  by  the  Rev. 
A.  Kent,  of  Galena,  and  that  to  the  people  by  the  Rev.  C.  Marsh,  of  Mount 
Carroll.  The  church  building  cost  $50,000  and  on  the  day  of  dedication  $17,000 
was  raised  by  subscription  to  pay  the  building  debt. 

This  same  building,  erected  in  1866,  is  still  standing,  and  is  still  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  structures  of  the  city,  a  credit  to  the  community  and  especially 
to  the  brave  band  of  followers  whose  labors  helped  to  raise  the  pile.  The  First 
Presbyterian  church  is  today  in  a  flourishing  condition,  having  a  membership 
of  nearly  five  hundred  persons.  The  Sunday  school,  founded  in  1844,  by  John 
Rice  as  superintendent,  with  only  eleven  pupils,  is  today  one  of  the  largest  in 
the  city.  The  church  property  is  valued  at  $60,000. 

Since  the  final  departure  of  Rev.  Isaac  E.  Carey  in  1872,  the  following 
pastors  have  officiated : 

Rev.  H.  D.  Jenkins,  D.  D.,  January,  i873-September,  1889;.  Rev.  Edgar  P. 
Hill,  D.  D.,  February,  i8ox>-September,  1895 ;  Rev.  Charles  E.  Dunn,  January, 
i896-September,  1904;  Rev.  Hugh  Lowry  Moore,  February,  1905- June,  1910. 

The  church  is  for  the  present  without  a  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Moore  having  left 
to  answer  a  call  at  Beloit,  Wisconsin. 

ST.  MARY'S  CHURCH. 

In  October,  1827,  before  the  first  white  settlers  had  permanently  located  in 
Stephenson  County — before  that  historical  event  known  as  the  Black  Hawk  War, 
the  first  mass  was  offered  up  to  God  by  Father  Stephen  Vincent  Baden.  This 
event,  so  notable  in  the  history  of  Catholicity  in  the  county,  occurred  at  the 
cabin  of  a  man  named  Simon  Brady  who  was  then  living  in  the  vicinity  of 
Kellogg's  Grove.  Father  Baden  did  not  stay  long  in  the  county,  as  he  was  on 
his  way  to  visit  Galena  and  Prairie  du  Chien  to  administer  the  spiritual  needs  of 
the  miners  who  were  beginning  to  throng  to  those  regions. 

The  next  six  years  are  a  blank.  It  was  not  until  1843  that  further  develop- 
ments took  place.  At  that  time,  the  Bishop  of  St.  Louis,  who  had  under  his 
jurisdiction  all  the  western  part  of  Illinois,  sent  Father  John  McMahan  to  locate 
his  dwelling  in  Galena  and  care  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  settlers  who 
were  beginning  to  appear  in  large  numbers  in  that  section  of  the  country.  At 


424  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

first  Father  McMahan  went  to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  for  a  short 
time  only,  presently  departing  to  fulfil  his  mission  in  Galena  and  the  surrounding 
counties.  Stephenson  County  was  included  in  his  charge  and  for  the  next  ten 
years  had  no  resident  priest  of  its  own.  Father  McMahan  found  the  labors  of 
his  position  excessive.  In  less  than  a  year  he  had  completely  worn  himself  out 
and  in  the  ninth  month  of  his  stay  he  died  and  was  succeeded  by  Father  Fitz 
Morris.  Father  Fitz  Morris'  labors  were  even  more  brief,  for  in  three  months 
he  also  went  to  his  everlasting  rest.  Father  Shanahan  the  third  priest  at  Galena 
also  died  soon  after  coming  to  these  parts  and  was  buried  beside  his  predecessors. 
In  1843,  tne  connection  of  Stephenson  County  Catholics  with  the  Galena 
congregation  ceased,  and  they  received  their  first  resident  priest,  Farther  Derwin, 
whom  the  Bishop  of  St.  Louis  appointed  to  the.  parish  of  New  Dublin.  His 
parish  was  extended  over  the  counties  of  Stephenson,  Lee,  Ogle,  and  Winne- 
bago,  with  his  residence  at  New  Dublin.  The  welcome  pastor  made  his  home 
with  a  family  named  Murphy  and  offered  the  holy  mass  in  a  log  church  "16x24 
feet  and  seven  logs  high,"  which  had  been  erected  in  1836.  In  1844  the  Bishop  of 
Chicago  was  given  jurisdiction  over  all  Illinois  and  in  1846  he  appointed  the 
Rev.  James  Cavanaugh  to  the  charge  of  New  Dublin'  and  the  Missions  in  its 
vicinity.  This  clergyman  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  F.  Kalvelage,  who  erected,  in 
1855,  the  church  now  in  use  at  New  Dublin. 

In  1854,  Father  Cavanaugh  came  to  Freeport  to  reside  permanently,  but 
the  history  of  St.  Mary's  Parish  dates  back  farther  than  that.  Four  years 
before,  the  priest  had  succeeded  in  organizing  the  present  parish,  but  no  church 
was  built,  and  instead  mass  was  offered  up  at  the  home  of  one  of  the  members 
of  the  parish.  It  was  in  the  little  parlor  of  the  home  of  Thomas  Egan,  at  a 
time  when  there  were  but  few  houses  in  the  city  of  Freeport,  that  a  number 
of  Catholics  met  one  afternoon  to  form  a  congregation.  It  was  in  that  same 
little  parlor,  thanks  to  the  generosity  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Egan,  that  services  were 
held  by  Mrs.  Egan's  brother,  Father  Cavanaugh.  Mrs.  Egan  passed  away  only 
a  short  time  ago  and  was  for  a  long  time  the  only  surviving  member  of  the 
first  parish.  Among  those  who  attended  the  first  meeting  in  her  home  were 
Father  Cavanaugh,  Richard  and  Thomas  Barren,  Robert  Balow,  Mr.  Tuhey,  Ed- 
ward Cavanaugh,  James  Manion,  George  Cavanaugh,  Thomas  and  John  O'Con- 
nor, Thomas  Egan,  Mr.  Nagle,  William  Barren,  and  Mrs.  Catherine  Egan.  One 
of  the  first  steps  taken  was  a  proposal  to  build  a  church,  and  the  congregation 
all  put  down  their  names  for  contributions  in  accordance  with  their  means.  A 
few  hundred  dollars  were  raised  but  the  sum  was  inadequate  for  the  building  of 
a  church. 

In  the  meantime  the  brave  little  congregation  was  granted  the  use  of  a 
hall  belonging  to  J.  K.  Brewster.  The  hall  proved  large  enough  for  the  Catholic 
citizens  to  assemble  there  to  assist  at  the  holy  sacrifice  on  Sundays,  and  there 
they  worshiped,  until  the  little  frame  church,  begun  nine  months  later,  was 
completed. 

Various  materials  were  voluntarily  furnished,  and  thus  the  expense  was 
materially  lessened.  Robert  and  Thomas  McGee  furnished  the  sills,  others 
gave  shingles,  glass,  nails,  putty,  etc.,  and  so,  after  much  labor  and  self  denial, 
the  little  structure  was  completed,  and  who  shall  express  the  happiness  of  a 


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HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  425 

devout  people,  such  as  these,  when  they  knelt  once  more  in  a  real  church,  how- 
ever poor  and  plain  ? 

During  Father  Cavanaugh's  pastorate  in  Freeport  there  were  no  railroads. 
Early  in  the  fifties,  the  Illinois  Central  was  not  completed,  and  he  had  to  travel 
almost  incessantly  with  horse  and  buggy.  The  cholera  made  his  work  yet  more 
laborious,  because  of  the  great  number  of  sick  people  he  was  called  upon  to  see. 
He  met  with  many  ludicrous,  and  some  very  dangerous  experiences  in  his  travels 
over  the  wild  country.  Everywhere  he  found  opportunities  open  for  earnest 
work,  and  it  is  no  wonder  that  he  was  greatly  beloved  by  the  members  of  his 
flock,  for  he  was  untiring  in  his  efforts  in  their  behalf. 

Father  Ferdinand  Kalvelage,  who  succeeded  Father  Cavanaugh,  remained 
in  charge  of  St.  Mary's  Parish  until  1859.  It  was  during  his  pastorate  at  St. 
Mary's  that  the  second  church,  a  brick  structure,  was  built.  The  new  edifice 
was  a  decided  improvement  on  the  old  one,  and  was  considered  a  very  excellent 
building  at  the  time  of  its  erection.  The  cornerstone  was  laid  in  July,  1855, 
and  in  it  was  placed  a  tin  box  containing  copies  of  the  weekly  papers  of  the 
city,  some  manuscript,  3,  5,  and  10  cent  pieces,  and  a  copy  ol  the  New  York 
Catholic  Zeitung.  The  lumber  used  in  the  building  was  brought  down  the  Mis- 
sissippi to  Savanna  and  was  hauled  from  there  by  oxen.  The  material  was 
hewn  out  with  the  ax.  The  structure  was  40x80  feet  and  was  severely  plain 
and  unadorned.  It  continued  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  congregation  somewhat 
inadequately  for  thirty-five  years  until  the  present  edifice  was  built  in  1890. 

Father  Thomas  O'Gara  was  Father  Kalvelage's  successor.  He  came  to  St. 
Mary's  in  August,  1859,  and  during  the  seven  years  of  his  pastorate  he  showed 
himself  an  indefatigable  worker  and  a  most  zealous  pastor.  Not  being  acquainted 
with  the  German  language  he  engaged  from  time  to  time  the  services  of  a 
German  priest,  for  the  benefit  of  the  German  half  of  the  congregation,  who  did 
not  leave  St.  Mary's  until  1862.  This  event  occurred  in  Father  O'Gara's  pas- 
torate, the  German's  building  St.  Joseph's  church  and  the  Irish  retaining  the  use 
of  St.  Mary's  after  having  given  a  certain  sum  to  aid  in  the  building  of  St. 
Joseph's.  It  was  also  at  this  time  that  the  first  parochial  residence  was  fitted  for 
use,  the  old  frame  church  being  used  for  the  purpose.  Father  O'Gara  likewise 
secured  property  for  St.  Mary's  Cemetery  west  of  town,  and  succeeded  in  rais- 
ing funds  sufficient  for  the  purchase  of  a  pipe  organ  which  has  ever  since  re- 
mained in  use. 

Following  Father  O'Gara,  two  priests,  Father  Kennedy  and  Father  Rigby 
filled  the  charge  for  brief  and  uneventful  periods,  and  in  1867  Father  Michael 
J.  Hanley  came.  He  stayed  for  only  two  years,  but  accomplished  a  great  deal 
in  that  short  time.  The  old  frame  church  having  become  unfit  for  the  parochial 
residence,  it  was  moved  away,  and  on  a  newly  purchased  lot  was  erected  a  two- 
story  brick  building,  which  remained  in  use  until  vacated  by  Father  Stack  for 
the  use  of  the  Sisters.  In  1868  the  first  school  was  organized,  later  to  be  im- 
proved and  enlarged. 

Father  P.  L.  Hendriek  succeeded  in  1870  and  remained  a  short  time  only, 
to  be  succeeded  by  Father  Murtaugh,  who  bought  the  brick  building  converted 
into  St.  Mary's  school,  and  also  painted  the  interior  of  the  church  building.  In 
June,  1871,  Father  Stack  came,  and  turned  his  attention  to  the  school  which  he 


426  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

immediately  began  to  improve  and  re-organize.  Money  was  raised,  with  which 
the  building  was  repaired  and  duly  furnished.  Application  was  made  to  the 
Dominican  mother  house  at  Sinsinawa  Mound  for  instructors  who  were  sup- 
plied and  immediately  took  charge  of  the  school.  Father  Stack  vacated  his 
own  house  that  the  Sisters  might  have  a  home,  and  then  began  to  build  them 
the  present  convent,  which  at  that  time  was  considered  one  of  the  most  com- 
fortably furnished  structures  of  its  kind  in  the  northwest. 

In  1877,  Father  Thomas  F.  Mangan  came  to  take  charge.  He  was  a  very 
diligent  worker  and  effected  a  number  of  desirable  changes  and  improvements. 
He  repaired  and  remodelled  the  church  and  added  a  considerable  piece  of  land 
to  the  church  cemetery,  now  in  very  respectable  condition.  Father  Mangan  re- 
mained in  Freeport  for  ten  years,  to  be  succeeded  by  Father  Michael  Welby. 
Father  Welby  was  a  man  of  great  learning  and  was  warmly  welcomed  by  St. 
Mary's  Parish.  It  was  during  his  time  that  the  matter  of  building  a  new  church 
was  considered,  and  a  fair  was  held  to  create  a  fund  for  that  purpose.  The  new 
priest  was  not,  however,  a  man  of  robust  strength  and  in  1890  he  took  a  trip 
to  the  City  of  Mexico  for  the  purpose  of  regaining  his  health.  His  quest  was 
unsuccessful  and  he  died  while  in  Mexico. 

Father  W.  A.  Horan  succeeded  Father  Welby.  He  was  a  most  able  and 
energetic  worker,  and  much  beloved  by  all  the  members  of  the  parish.  During 
his  occupancy  many  changes  were  brought  about.  Most  important  of  these  was 
the  building  of  the  new  church.  There  had  been  talk  of  building  a  new  church 
during  Father  Welby's  stay,  and  even  earlier  but  nothing  definite  had  been 
done.  Father  Koran's  perseverance  and  courage  led  to  the  raising  of  sufficient 
funds  and  in  April,  1890,  a  sum  had  been  raised  large  enough  to  warrant  im- 
mediate progress  on  the  work.  On  August  3,  1890,  the  corner  stone  was  laid, 
with  appropriate  exercises,  Father  McLaughlin  of  Rockford  and  Father  Horan 
conducting  the  simple  but  eloquent  exercises  before  an  audience  of  three  thou- 
sand people. 

The  church  is  53x137  and  is  built  of  native  stone,  with  trimming  of  terra 
cotta.  On  Wednesday,  October  28,  1891,  the  solemn  opening  of  the  church 
occurred,  the  dedication  not  being  accomplished  until  somewhat  later. 

In  1896  occurred  the  Golden  Jubilee  Festival  commemorating  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  Catholic  religion  into  Siephenson  County.  High  festival  was  held, 
a  triumphal  arch  was  erected  on  State  street  spanning  the  thoroughfare  from 
the  school  to  the  church,  and  many  Catholics  from  out  of  town  were  present. 

In  1903,  the  school  building  and  hall  were  completely  repaired,  remodeled, 
and  rebuilt,  making  of  the  structure  a  thoroughly  up-to-date  school  and  audi- 
torium. 

Shortly  after  the  accomplishment  of  these  labors,  a  great  sorrow  came  to  the 
parish  in  the  death  of  Father  Horan,  who  had  been  for  some  time  in  poor  health. 
His  decease  was  mourned  not  only  by  his  own  church  people  but  by  the  com- 
munity at  large,  for  Father  Horan,  like  few  of  his  predecessors,  had  been  a  most 
active  influence  for  good  in  the  various  departments  of  social  and  charitable 
work  in  the  city. 

Father  Horan  was  succeeded  by  Father  Daniel  Croke,  who  remained  in 
Freeport  until  October,  1907,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Father  Thomas  J. 


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HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  427 

Leydon,  who  still  holds  the  charge.    The  church  is  at  present  in  a  most  pros- 
perous condition  and  numbers  over  six  hundred  members. 


FIRST   BAPTIST   CHURCH. 

In  December,  1845,  twenty-six  men  and  women,  at  that  time  the  whole  of  the 
Baptist  population  of  the  city,  met  in  the  kitchen  of  the  Rev.  James  Schofield, 
who  had  been  commissioned  by  the  American  Baptist  Home  Missionary  Society 
to  found  a  church  in  Freeport.  In  Rev.  Schofield's  kitchen,  which  was  the  only 
living  room  of  the  house,  the  organization  of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Free- 
port  was  effected.  The  twenty-six  who  were  instrumental  in  establishing  the 
church  were:  Rev.  James  Schofield  and  his  wife  Caroline,  his  son,  John  M. 
Schofield,  and  his  daughter  Miss  Caroline  Schofield  (now  Mrs.  H.  H.  Wise), 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  Schofield,  Mrs.  Catherine  Jones,  Miss  Elizabeth  Jones, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Stacks  and  their  son  and  daughter,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John 
Stout,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Timothy  Stout,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Craft,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
William  Perkins,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrew  Plainer,  Dexter  A.  Knowlton,  and 
Royal  Durfee. 

Rev.  James  Schofield  was  subsequently  elected  first  pastor  of  the  church,  the 
following  year  a  lot  was  secured  on  Williams  street,  where  St.  Joseph's  church 
stands  today,  and  the  work  of  building  a  place  of  worship  was  begun.  The  early 
history  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Freeport,  especially  that  portion  which  deals 
with  the  building  of  the  first  church,  is  full  of  interest.  Perhaps  there  is  not 
a  church  in  the  city  which  fought  harder  for  its  existence  in  the  days  of  its  in- 
fancy than  did  the  First  Baptist  church.  It  so  happened  that  those  who  made 
up  the  congregation  were  poor  men  and  could  not  aid  financially  in  the  building 
of  the  church.  Instead  they  did  manual  labor,  and  led  by  their  pastor,  they 
went  to  work  upon  the  edifice  and  built  it  with  their  own  hands.  Rev.  James 
Schofield  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  in  the  early  history  of  the  com- 
munity. An  unusual  personality,  combined  with  unflinching  courage,  a  resolute 
will,  and  a  devout  faith  made  him  an  inspiring  and  energetic  leader.  Had  it  not 
been  for  his  unceasing  labor,  the  little  flock  would  have  experienced  an  in- 
surmountable difficulty  in  surpassing  the  labors  and  trials  which  beset  them. 
Fortunately  for  himself  and  for  the  church,  Mr.  Schofield  had  made  a  sufficient 
fortune  to  support  himself  and  his  family  before  entering  the  ministry — for- 
tunately, we  may  say,  for  his  salary  was  only  $300,  half  of  it  paid  by  the  Amer- 
ican Baptist  Home  Missionary  Society,  and  half  by  the  local  church.  After  a 
great  deal  of  labor,  Mr.  Schofield  succeeded  in  raising  enough  money  to  buy  the 
lumber  and  shingles  for  the  church.  These  were  purchased  in  Chicago  and 
brought  to  Freeport  by  wagon.  As  the  roads  were  bad,  and  the  distance  a 
tremendous  one  to  haul  lumber,  many  of  the  planks  and  bunches  of  shingles  were 
scattered  along  the  road.  Rev.  Schofield  had,  however,  carefully  marked  each 
separate  plank  and  bunch  of  shingles  "FOR  THE  FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH 
AT  FREEPORT"  and  ultimately  every  lost  piece  found  its  way  to  its  destina- 
tion. The  church  building  was  forthwith  completed  and  dedicated  on  Christmas 
day,  1850,  with  a  board  of  trustees  consisting  James  Schofield,  Alfred  Dan, 
Joshua  Springer,  Job  Arnold,  and  John  Montelius. 


428  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  excessive  exertions  of  the  pastor  had  brought  on  an  attack  of  ill  health 
and  he  was  forced  to  resign  his  charge  at  the  close  of  the  year  1851.  At  the 
close  of  his  pastorate  the  original  twenty-six  had  swelled  to  one  hundred  and 
the  outlook  was  becoming  prosperous.  Before  the  building  of  the  church  the 
Baptists  met  in  the  old  courthouse  which  had  furnished  a  first  place  of  wor- 
ship for  so  many  of  Freeport's  churches.  Later  they  moved  temporarily  to  a 
brick  schoolhouse  in  Knowlton  town  where  they  remained  until  the  completion 
of  their  new  edifice. 

After  Rev.  Mr.  Schofield  came  Rev.  T.  L.  Breckenbridge  during  whose 
occupancy  the  congregation  was  nearly  doubled.  He  was  succeeded  by  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Reese  who  stayed  two  years.  It  was  at  the  close  of  these  two 
years  that  another  misfortune  befell  the  church.  The  cholera  plague  which 
was  then  raging  in  Freeport  seemed  to  attack  the  Baptist  church  with  unwonted 
ferocity.  Many  of  the  members  died  and  the  doors  of  the  church  were  closed. 
It  was  two  years  before  meetings  were  again  resumed  and  during  that  time  the 
Sunday  school  had  been  discontinued,  prayer  meetings  had  been  given  up,  and 
the  congregation  was  scattered  far  and  wide.  To  the  Rev.  Ichabod  Clark,  who 
visited  Freeport  in  June,  1855,  belongs  the  credit  of  the  re-organization.  Rev. 
O.  D.  Taylor  came  to  fill  the  pastorate  and  was  succeeded  by  Revs.  A.  G.  Thomas 
in  1858,  N.  F.  Ravlin  in  1859,  and  William  Crowell  in  1861.  While  Mr. 
Crowell  was  pastor  of  the  church  plans  were  made  for  the  erection  of  a  new 
church  building.  The  old  church  was  sold  to  the  German  Catholic  organization, 
and  the  Stephenson  street  lot  which  the  Baptist  church  still  occupies  was  pur- 
chased. In  February,  1863,  a  chapel  was  completed  and  dedicated  on  this  ground 
just  west  of  Cherry  street.  Four  efficient  pastors  succeeded  Mr.  Crowell:  A. 
W.  Tousey,  C.  W.  Palmer,  S.  B.  Gilbert,  and  W.  H.  Dorward.  Then  another 
calamity  appeared  in  the  shape  of  a  conflagration  which  destroyed  the  almost 
new  chapel  on  the  day  after  Christmas,  1875.  The  members  of  the  church  were 
beside  themselves  at  this  new  misfortune,  but  bravely  resolved  to  build  again. 
On  the  very  day  of  the  fire,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of  Judge  J.  M. 
Bailey,  at  which  it  was  decided  to  immediately  rebuild.  Plans  for  a  somewhat 
more  elaborate  structure  were  formulated,  and  after  four  years  of  building, 
during  which  time  the  congregation  worshipped  in  the  lecture  room  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  church,  the  present  building  was  finished  and  dedicated  June 
29,  1879,  the  dedicatory  sermons  being  preached  by  the  Rev.  Galusha  Anderson, 
president  of  the  University  of  Chicago,  and  the  Rev.  G.  W.  Northrup,  president 
of  the  Morgan  Park  Union  Theological  Seminary.  In  1878  Rev.  D.  H.  Cooley 
was  called  and  became  pastor  of  the  church.  In  1882  he  resigned  and  has  been 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  E.  P.  Savage,  R.  L.  Halsey,  W.  H.  Parker,  A.  W.  Fuller, 
William  C.  Spencer,  Orlo  J.  Price,  William  H.  Beynon,  and  F.  E.  Webb,  the 
present  pastor. 

The  First  Baptist  church  edifice  of  red  pressed  brick,  valued,  together  with 
the  small  lot  on  which  it  stands,  at  about  $20,000.  The  auditorium  is  located 
on  the  second  floor  of  the  building,  the  first  floor  being  given  over  to  the  lecture 
and  Sunday  school  rooms.  The  Sunday  school  is  in  a  flourishing  condition  hav- 
ing a  roll  of  about  two  hundred.  The  congregation  numbers  nearly  three  hun- 
dred. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  429 


ST.  JOSEPH  S  CHURCH. 

As  we  have  elsewhere  stated,  in  the  early  history  of  St.  Joseph's  Parish,  the 
congregation  was  merged  with  that  of  St.  Mary's.  The  Germans  and  Irish  were 
members  of  the  same  congregation,  but  many  cf  the  former  being  ignorant  of 
the  English  language,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  form  two  parishes.  Father 
John  Westkamp  at  once  set  about  selecting  a  suitable  place  of  worship  for  the 
Germans  and  on  June  4,  1862,  purchased  the  old  Baptist  church,  which  stood  on 
the  present  site  of  St.  Joseph's  church.  The  price  given  was  $2,000,  and  the 
congregation  which  paid  for  it  numbered  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
families.  The  old  church  was  repaired  and  fitted  up  as  well  as  possible,  but, 
in  1868,  finding  that  it  was  too  small  to  hold  the  rapidly  growing  congregation, 
a  large  gallery  was  built  in  it,  and  in  the  fall  of  1871  it  was  decided  to  erect  a 
new  building. 

Father  John  Westkamp  who  had  been  the  first  pastor  of  the  church  had 
remained  only  one  year,  after  which  he  was  succeeded  by  Father  Ignatius  Baluff. 
It  was  under  Father  Baluff's  direction  that  the  work  of  building  the  church  now 
went  forward.  During  the  winter  before  the  church  was  built,  the  members  of 
the  church  living  in  the  city  quarried  the  stone  for  building  purposes,  and 
those  who  lived  in  the  country  hauled  it  to  the  site  of  the  new  edifice  in  their 
farm  wagons.  Early  in  the  spring  the  old  building  was  moved  back  to  Pleasant 
street  and  used  for  church  purposes  until  the  new  structure  was  completed, 
after  which  it  was  torn  down,  and  the  lumber  sold.  Early  in  June  the  corner- 
stone of  the  new  church  was  laid  by  Bishop  Foley  of  Chicago,  before  a  large 
audience  of  Freeporters  and  Catholics  from  other  parishes.  In  December,  1872, 
it  was  completed,  and  dedicated  on  the  fourth  Sunday  of  advent,  by  Bishop 
Foley  in  the  presence  of  a  great  many  priests  from  all  parts  of  the  diocese. 

St.  Joseph's  church  is  modern  Gothic  in  style,  its  dimensions  50x140  and  its 
cost  $35,000.  The  church  is  built  of  brick  and  faces  northeast,  being  located  on 
the  old  Baptist  church  lot  on  Williams  and  Pleasant  streets  near  Walnut.  The 
seating  capacity  of  the  auditorium,  including  the  gallery,  is  eight  hundred  and 
fifty.  The  stained  glass  in  the  windows  of  St.  Joseph's  is  particularly  beautiful, 
and  the  building  from  basement  to  spire  is  one  of  which  Freeport's  German 
population  may  justly  be  proud. 

In  1874,  the  charge  was  taken  by  Father  Clement  Kalvelage  who  has  re- 
mained up  to  the  present  day  and  is  deeply  loved  and  revered  by  his  congrega- 
tion. He  has  made  numerous  improvements  and  changes  during  his  occupancy. 
In  1881  the  appearance  of  the  church  was  greatly  enhanced  by  the  erection  of  the 
new  steeple,  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet  in  height  and  containing  a  set  of 
four  chimes  which  cost  $1,000.  Since  that  time  numerous  improvements  and 
new  constructions  have  been  made  in  the  church. 

Scarcely  had  the  new  church  been  completed  and  paid  for  when  efforts  were 
made  to  improve  the  educational  advantages.  At  first  a  small  frame  building 
which  had  been  purchased  of  St.  Mary's  congregation  and  which  stood  on  the 
present  site,  was  used,  but  this  became  too  small  and  was  unsuited  for  the 
purpose.  In  1883  the  present  schoolhouse  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $5,500.  Father 


430  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Kalvelage  has  taken  a  very  great  interest  in  the  school  and  has  brought  it  to  a 
high  standard  of  excellence.  The  school  has  an  enrollment  of  about  three  hun- 
dred pupils  and  is  taught  by  Franciscan  Sisters  from  Joliet. 

Within  the  last  few  years  two  other  notable  improvements  have  been  made. 
In  1895  a  new  parochial  residence  was  built  next  to  the  church  at  a  cost  of  about 
$8,500.  Behind  this,  facing  on  Pleasant  street  a  convent  of  similar  design  has 
been  constructed  at  a  like  cost.  Both  buildings  are  of  brick  with  white  marble 
facings  and  trimmings  and  marble  steps. 

The  Franciscan  Sisters  are  also  in  charge  of  St.  Francis'  Hospital,  which  was 
erected  in  1889  and  dedicated  on  February  12,  1890.  It  has  since  been  increased 
and  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  a  southern  wing.  The  Sisters  have  also  charge 
of  St.  Vincent's  Orphan  Asylum,  which  was  founded  and  blessed  on  May  25, 
1896.  The  orphan  asylum  at  first  occupied  a  small  cottage  on  South  Walnut 
street  but  has  since  moved  to  the  former  residence  of  August  Bergman  on 
Jefferson  street. 

St.  Joseph's  congregation  numbers  about  two  hundred  families  at  present. 
The  total  valuation  of  the  church  property  including  the  church  and  attached 
buildings,  is  about  $75,000. 


SECOND  PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH. 

On  October  30,  1847,  the  Second  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  by 
twenty-seven  persons  who  installed  and  ordained  three  elders :  A.  H.  Kerr, 
Samuel  Dickey,  and  James  W.  Barber.  Earlier  in  the  year  a  petition  had  been 
presented  to  the  Presbytery  of  Rock  River,  Old  School,  praying  for  the  organ- 
ization of  a  Second  Presbyterian  church,  and  signed  by  fifty-three  persons.  A 
public  meeting  was  held  in  the  old  courthouse  building,  and  a  commissioner  was 
appointed  to  carry  the  petition  to  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  at  Princeton. 
For  some  time  after  the  date  of  organization,  no  services  were  held.  The  fol- 
lowing spring  a  few  meetings  were  held  and  eight  new  members  received  into 
the  church.  The  membership  at  this  time  included  the  following  names :  A.  H. 
Kerr,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Dickey,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  W.  Barber,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  J.  T.  Smith,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  F.  McKibben,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Van  Dyke, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  Badger,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Lamb,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sam- 
uel Lamb,  Mr.-  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Millikan,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Brown,  Mrs. 
Janes  McKibben,  Mrs.  Jane  D.  Lamb,  and  the  Misses  Phoebe  and  Martha 
Dickey. 

In  July,  1848,  the  Rev.  John  Ustick  accepted  a  call  as  stated  supply  for 
the  church  and  thus  became  the  first  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Ustick  remained  in 
Freeport  for  twenty-two  months.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  John  Carroll 
during  whose  occupancy  the  first  church  edifice  was  erected.  In  1850  the  con- 
gregation had  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  quarters  became  crowded.  A 
building  committee  composed  of  David  Nesbit,  James  Barfoot,  and  J.  W.  Bar- 
ber was  instructed  to  call  for  subscriptions.  The  church  members  responded 
generously,  and  by  1851  a  $6,000  church  had  been  completed  and  in  September 
the  first  sermon  was  preached  in  it. 


ST.  JOSEI'II'S  CATHOLIC  CIIfRCII.  FHEEPORT 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  431 

For  forty-four  years  the  congregation  continued  to  occupy  this  little  church. 
In  1850  a  Sunday  school  had  been  organized  and  its  growth  was  proportionate 
to  that  of  the  church.  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll  was  succeeded  in  turn  by  A.  H.  Lackey, 
P.  B.  Marr,  D.  M.  Barber,  Robert  Proctor,  W.  J.  Johnstone,  B.  Roberts,  George 
Elliott,  John  Giffen,  S.  M.  Crissman,  and  W.  B.  Irwin.  In  1890  Rev.  J.  D. 
McCaughtry,  of  Staunton,  Illinois,  was  called  to  the  Freeport  charge,  where  he 
remained  for  ten  years.  Under  his  guidance  the  new  church  edifice  was  built 
on  the  site  of  the  old  church,  and  formally  dedicated  on  February  9,  1896.  This 
church  was  one  of  the  finest  in  the  city  and  met  the  needs  of  a  growing  congre- 
gation very  satisfactorily.  The  pulpit  was  occupied  by  Rev.  J.  D.  McCaughtry 
until  1900,  when  he  resigned  and  Rev.  Frank  A.  Hosmer  took  his  place.  Mr. 
Hosmer  was  in  Freeport  from  the  spring  of  1900  to  the  fall  of  1907,  and  his 
place  has  been  taken  by  the  Rev.  H.  M.  Markley,  who  came  to  Freeport  in  the 
early  part  of  1908. 

On  January  9,  1910,  a  great  calamity  befell  the  Second  Presbyterian  church. 
The  comparatively  new  church  edifice  was  totally  destroyed  by  a  disastrous  fire 
of  unknown  origin.  So  complete  was  the  ruin  that  the  walls  and  towers  fell  in 
and  the  prospect  of  rebuilding  was  hopeless.  The  fragments  of  the  building 
were  accordingly  torn  down  and  a  new  building  was  immediately  commenced 
upon  the  ashes  of  its  predecessor.  The  cornerstone  of  the  new  church  has  been 
laid  and  the  progress  upon  the  pile  has  been  admirable.  When  the  building  is 
completed  the  Second  Presbyterian  congregation,  which  numbers  about  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  at  present,  will  have  not  only  the  newest  but  one  of  the  finest 
churches  in  the  city.  The  value  of  the  church  property  will  be  about  $35,000. 

FIRST   M.    E.   CHURCH. 

The  history  of  the  First  Methodist  church  of  Freeport  is  practically  coin- 
cident with  that  of  civilization  in  Stephenson  County.  In  1834,  shortly  after 
the  first  white  settlers  appeared  in  these  confines,  the  Rev.  James  McKean,  a 
traveling  missionary  with  a  five  hundred  mile  circuit,  stopped  in  the  western 
part  of  Stephenson  County  and  gathering  about  him  ten  families,  held  services 
and  preached  a  sermon.  These  formed  the  first  Methodist  services  ever  held 
in  the  county.  Rev.  McKean  reported  Stephenson  County  as  a  needy  field,  and 
two  years  later,  in  1836,  the  Rev.  Thomas  W.  Pope  was  sent  as  missionary.  For 
some  unknown  reason  he  never  succeeded  in  holding  services.  The  next  year, 
Rev.  McKean  returned  again,  and  remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Freeport  for  about 
two  years,  organizing  classes  and  holding  religious  services. 

It  was  no  easy  task  which  Mr.  McKean  had  undertaken.  Had  he  not  been 
a  man  possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  perseverance,  and  filled  with  great  re- 
ligious enthusiasm,  the  cause  might  never  have  prospered  as  it  did  eventually.  In 
1839  the  Rev.  Samuel  Pillsbury  came  to  take  his  place,  and  with  the  assistance  of 
E.  P.  Wood  and  Rollin  Brown,  he  traveled  over  an  extensive  circuit,  making 
Freeport  his  headquarters. 

With  1850  begins  the  history  proper  of  the  First  M.  E.  church  of.  Freeport. 
In  that  year  Freeport  was  organized  into  a  separate  charge  under  the  pastorate 
of  the  Rev.  J.  F.  Devore.  No  church  building  was  at  first  obtainable,  but  ser- 
vices were  held  about  in  the  homes  of  the  members  and  later  in  the  little  red 


432  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

schoolhouse,  a  structure  which  has  today  become  famous.  Occasionally  it  is 
said  meetings  were  held  in  the  old  courthouse  building.  Mr.  Devore's  labors 
were  unceasing  and  very  effective.  He  conducted  a  spirited  series  of  revival 
meetings  and  so  increased  the  membership  of  his  charge  that  a  permanent  house 
of  worship  became  an  imperative  necessity.  The  lot,  which  is  still  owned  by 
the  church,  was  bought  for  the  purpose,  and  preparations  for  the  building  be- 
gan. The  details  of  the  early  history  of  the  church  are  lost  in  tradition.  Cer- 
tain it  is  that  they  would  be  very  interesting  today  could  they  be  ascertained. 
The  limited  means  of  the  congregation  made  it  impossible  for  them  to  con- 
tribute a  great  deal  in  money,  and  in  lieu  of  this  they  gave  their  services  in  the 
actual  work  of  building.  Only  about  $500  in  money  was  obtainable,  some  of 
it  being  given  by  the  Methodists  of  Freeport  and  the  rest  by  the  farmers 
throughout  the  county  irrespective  of  denomination.  From  first  to  last,  Rev. 
Devore  was  the  leader  and  his  own  personal  enthusiasm  inspired  and  encour- 
aged his  followers.  Not  only  should  the  credit  of  obtaining  the  subscription  be 
given  to  him,  but  much  of  the  manual  labor  as  well.  He  succeeded  in  borrow- 
ing an  ox  team  from  a  farmer  who  had  shown  himself  willing  to  help  and 
hauled  much  of  the  material  to  the  place  of  building.  The  work  could  not  help 
but  progress  rapidly.  By  the  next  summer  (1851)  the  basement  had  been  com- 
pleted and  the  frame  of  the  church  itself  constructed.  In  the  same  year  the 
church  was  completed  and  dedicated.  The  reports  concerning  this  portion  of 
the  church's  history  are  confused  and  far  from  authentic.  Some  of  them  as- 
sert that  the  dedicatory  sermon  was  preached  by  Presiding  Elder  Haney,  while 
others  credit  the  Rev.  D.  W.  Pinckney  with  having  officiated. 

The  church  was  "finished"  that  year — and  when  we  say  finished,  we  mean 
the  mere  shell  of  the  church,  for  the  interior  decorations  and  adornments  could 
not  be  obtained.  The  cost  of  building  was  about  $2,000,  most  of  which  was 
supplied  by  donations  of  labor  and  materials,  and  nothing  was  left  to  complete 
the  interior.  There  were  no  pews,  among  other  things,  and  the  records  state 
that  this  lack  was  supplied  by  "the  contributions  of  individuals."  We  may 
interpret  this  vague  phrase  in  several  ways.  Certainly  no  money  was  given,  and 
for  the  time  being  rough  benches  were  used  and  services  were  conducted  in  the 
basement  of  the  church,  the  upper  auditorium  being  still  incomplete. 

Rev.  Devore  left  in  1852  and  his  place  was  filled  by  the  Rev.  C.  C.  Best — 
later  by  the  Rev.  H.  Whipple,  under  whose  ministry  the  church  was  finished. 
In  1855  the  completed  edifice  was  dedicated  by  the  Rev.  Silas  Boales,  who 
preached  the  dedicatory  sermon.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Henman  had  accepted  an  in- 
vitation to  preach  the  sermon,  but  his  death  occurred  before  the  appointed 
day  of  dedication. 

The  next  decade  was  a  period  of  the  most  remarkable  growth  and  increase, 
under  the  pastorates  of  the  Rev.  C.  M.  Woodruff  (1855-1856),  Rev.  Miles  L. 
Reed  (1856-1857),  Rev.  Thomas  North  (1857),  and  following  him  the  Revs. 
J.  C.  Stoughton,  David  Teed,  W.  F.  Stewart,  and  J.  L.  Olmsted,  the  dates  of 
whose  occupancy  are  lost.  In  1863  occurred  the  withdrawal  of  the  congrega- 
tion which  founded  the  Embury  church.  This  took  away  about  sixty  of  the 
members  of  the  First  church,  but  the  gap  was  quickly  filled  by  new  converts 
who  were  won  in  the  stirring  revivals  held. 


GKAOK   EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 


SECOND    PRESBYTERIAN    CIU'RC'H, 
BURNED,    1909. 


FIRST  METHODIST  CHURCH 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 
UNIVEKSITY  Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  433 

In  1864  the  Rev.  W.  C.  Willing  became  pastor  of  the  First  M.  E.  church, 
and  during  his  pastorate  the  church  was  enlarged  at  a  cost  of  something  like 
$13,000.  During  the  repairing  the  services  of  the  congregation  were  held  in  the 
old  Plymouth  Hall.  In  1867  the  Rev.  F.  P.  Cleveland  came  to  take  the  charge 
and  under  his  ministry  a  parsonage  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $3,500.  The  war 
does  not  seem  to  have  affected  seriously  the  growth  of  the  First  M.  E.  church 
as  it  did  so  many  of  the  other  religious  organizations  of  the  city.  In  fact,  it 
was  during  the  heat  of  the  struggle  that  the  Embury  church  was  founded  un- 
der most  flourishing  circumstances.  In  1870,  $800  was  expended  in  repairing 
and  refrescoing  the  church,  and  the  Rev.  W.  A.  Smith  occupied  the  pulpit, 
remaining  until  1873  when  Rev.  Cleveland  returned.  He  continued  his  labors 
for  three  more  years  being  followed  in  turn  by  the  Revs.  S.  A.  W.  Jewett  and 
C.  E.  Mandeville.  The  pastors  who  followed  the  Rev.  Mandeville  were  Lewis 
Meredith,  Deloss  M.  Tompkins,  O.  F.  Matteson,  D.  M.  Tompkins  (who  re- 
turned for  a  second  pastorate  of  two  years),  C.  A.  Bunker  and  N.  O.  Freeman. 
During  all  this  period  the  church  remained  in  a  healthy  and  prosperous  condi- 
tion. The  Rev.  J.  W.  Richards,  who  came  to  Freeport  in  1896,  was  at  one 
time  conference  secretary,  and  a  distinguished  man  in  church  affairs.  He 
remained  until  1899  and  was  followed  by  N.  H.  Axtell  (1900-1903),  James  K. 
Shields  (1903-1906),  C.  W.  McCaskill  (1906-1909),  and  E.  C.  Lumsden  (1909-) 
the  present  occupant  of  the  pulpit. 

The  beautiful  new  temple  of  worship  was  erected  in  1904  under  the  ministry 
of  the  Rev.  James  K.  Shields.  In  1904  plans  for  a  church  building  were  dis- 
cussed and  a  building  committee  was  appointed  to  look  into  the  matter.  This 
committee  was  composed  of  the  Rev.  James  K.  Shields,  A.  K.  Stibgen  (chair- 
man), C.  E.  Brubaker  (secretary),  H.  H.  Antrim,  A.  M.  Hoover,  George  L. 
Parks,  George  W.  Frey,  W.  A.  Hart,  Frank  L.  Furry,  D.  Y.  McMullen,  Gustav 
Hornberg,  William  Smallwood,  and  Paul  Bickenbach.  The  building  committee 
went  to  work  immediately  and  secured  plans  for  a  $35,000  edifice,  the  building 
of  which  was  immediately  commenced.  The  cornerstone  was  laid  with  appro- 
priate ceremonies  on  the  7th  of  August  in  the  same  year.  An  address  was  de- 
livered by  the  Rev.  J.  K.  Shields,  introducing  the  Rev.  Willis  Hoover,  formerly 
of  Freeport,  now  of  Valparaiso,  Chile,  who  gave  the  principal  address  of  the 
day.  Rev.  Shields  was  assisted  by  the  Revs.  J.  M.  Phelps,  pastor  of  the  Em- 
bury church,  and  Orlo  J.  Price,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church.  In  Febru- 
ary, 1905,  the  church  was  finished  and  dedicated,  Bishop  MacDowell  officiat- 
ing. It  was  occupied  the  first  time  for  services  on  the  first  Sunday  of  March 
of  that  year.  The  new  church  is  a  beautiful  building  of  colonial  brick  sur- 
mounted by  two  square  towers,  built  in  the  modern  style  of  church  architecture. 
The  auditorium  is  on  the  second  floor,  the  first  floor  being  given  over  to  Sunday 
school,  lecture,  and  league  rooms.  Among  the  other  possessions  of  the  church 
is  a  sweet-toned  organ  which  was  bought  at  the  time  of  the  building  of  the 
new  church.  The  organ  is  surpassed  by  none  in  the  city  at  the  present  time. 

The  parsonage,  located  in  the  rear  of  the  church  on  the  corner  of  Cherry 
and  Exchange  streets,  was  built  during  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  N.  H.  Axtell. 
It  is  a  comfortable  building  modern  in  every  respect  and  was  built  at  a  cost 
of  $5,000.  The  value  of  the  church  property  has  risen  somewhat  of  late  years 


434  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

and  the  whole  is  now  appraised  at  $50,000,  of  which  the  church  is  worth  $45,000 
and  the  parsonage  $5,000.  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  E.  C.  Lumsden,  reports 
a  present  membership  of  five  hundred  and  twenty-nine  with  a  Sunday  school 
enrollment  of  nearly  five  hundred. 


FIRST    ENGLISH    LUTHERAN    CHURCH. 

The  First  English  Lutheran  is  one  of  the  younger  churches  of  Freeport, 
and  has  only  been  in  active  existence  for  about  thirty  years.  Previous  to 
the  time  of  its  founding  many  attempts  had  been  made  to  establish  an  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  mission  in  Freeport,  but  for  one  reason  or  another  all  of  them 
were  failures.  It  was  not,  however,  that  the  founders  failed  to  begin  their 
work  soon  enough,  for  as  early  as  1852  the  first  attempt  was  made.  Rev. 
Ephraim  Miller,  in  his  report  as  president  of  the  Northern  Illinois  Synod  at 
Chicago,  spoke  of  the  project  of  sending  a  missionary  to  establish  a  church 
in  Freeport  in  November  of  that  year,  but  for  some  unknown  reason  the  plan 
was  never  carried  into  execution. 

In  1860  the  matter  was  again  brought  to  light  but  no  very  great  enthusiasm 
was  manifested  and  again  Freeport  was  without  its  mission.  It  was  not  strange 
that  no  developments  took  place.  The  Civil  War  was  occupying  the  minds  and 
attention  of  everybody,  and,  aside  from  that,  there  were  only  a  few  Lutherans 
in  the  city  at  the  time.  Rev.  Solomon  Ritz,  who  visited  Freeport  in  1862  in 
his  capacity  of  superintendent  of  missions  of  the  synod,  does  not  seem  to  have 
had  much  patience  with  the  Lutherans  of  this  city  and  their  incessant  cry  "about 
war  and  the  hard  times."  He  stated  in  his  report  that  it  was  his  intention  to 
"leave  that  place  alone  till  after  the  war,"  but  as  a  matter  of  fact  he  never  re- 
turned. The  following  year,  1864,  Rev.  T.  F.  Easterday,  who  later  became  con- 
nected with  the  Lake  Superior  Presbytery,  was  sent  to  explore  the  field  at 
Freeport,  and  reported  that  he  "saw  nothing  sufficiently  promising  to  warrant 
the  putting  forth  of  further  efforts  in  that  direction."  In  1865  an  apparently 
definite  step  was  taken.  Freeport  was  designated  as  a  field  for  missionary  en- 
deavors, and  the  sum  of  $200  was  voted  for  the  cause.  Rev.  Lingle  was  placed 
in  charge  of  the  mission  and  after  a  single  unsatisfactory  year  he  resigned  in 
discouragement.  Subsequently  Rev.  Weiser  visited  Freeport  to  inspect  the  field 
but  met  with  no  inducements. 

Rev.  S.  W.  Harkey,  who  had  once  before  tried  to  develop  the  Freeport  field 
by  sending  the  Rev.  T.  F.  Easterday,  again  put  forth  his  efforts,  and  through 
his  advice  the  synod  pledged  $600  to  support  a  missionary  at  Freeport.  The 
synodical  superintendent  being  unable  to  secure  the  services  of  a  suitable  mis- 
sionary for  Freeport,  nothing  was  done  that  year. 

This  investigation  of  1868  resulted  in  the  sending  of  a  report  to  the  synod 
signed  by  the  Revs.  G.  J.  Donmeyer  and  John  Stoll,  two  clergymen  residing 
in  Freeport.  However,  no  definite  action  was  taken  at  that  time.  In  1869 
the  synod  sent  to  Freeport  Rev.  S.  N.  St.  John,  who  had  had  little  experience, 
and  was  quickly  discouraged  by  the  conditions  which  faced  him  in  Freeport. 
After  a  year  he  departed,  and  not  until  1879  was  the  name  of  Freeport  again 
mentioned  in  the  synod.  At  that  time  a  congregation  of  twenty  members  elected 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  435 

the  Rev.  J.  W.  Goodlin  pastor.  Rev.  Goodlin  promptly  declined  as  did  the 
second  pastor  called,  and  in  the  face  of  such  persistent  discouragement  interest 
waned  and  for  two  years  nothing  was  done. 

In  1881  the  Woman's  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  settled  upon 
Freeport  as  a  place  for  a  mission,  and  Rev.  Thomas  F.  Reeser,  of  Williamsport, 
Pennsylvania,  came  to  Freeport  June  i  of  that  year.  On  the  last  Sabbath  in 
August  the  first  services  were  held,  and  a  formal  organization  effected  September 
19,  1881.  From  this  time  actually  dates  the  real  beginnings  of  the  First  English 
Lutheran  church  of  Freeport. 

The  organization  was  effected  with  but  fourteen  bona  fide  members,  and  the 
congregation  worshiped  in  Temperance  Hall,  corner  of  Chicago  and  Exchange 
streets  from  the  time  it  was  organized  until  the  new  church  was  completed. 
In  this  hall  a  Sunday  school  was  held  which  at  times  had  a  very  encouraging 
attendance. 

In  the  year  1882  steps  were  taken  to  secure  a  suitable  building  lot.  After 
considering  various  locations,  the  lot  on  the  corner  of  South  Galena  avenue  and 
Jackson  street,  where  the  church  now  stands,  was  purchased.  Plans  were  soon 
formulated  for  building  a  church  which  was  finally  completed  and  dedicated  De- 
cember 21,  1884.  The  cornerstone  had  been  laid  October  16,  of  the  year  previ- 
ous. Rev.  Reeser  proved  an  enrgetic  and  able  pastor  and  under  his  direction  the 
church  thrived. 

However,  on  the  ist  of  September,  1885,  he  resigned,  accepting  a  call  to 
the  Lutheran  church  at  Polo,  Illinois.  The  first  day  of  January  of  the  fol- 
lowing year,  Rev.  A.  M.  Barrett  took  charge  of  the  struggling  little  mission. 
These  were  dark  and  discouraging  times,  the  financial  troubles  being  among 
the  most  critical  of  the  church's  history.  The  congregation  was,  however,  held 
together  by  Rev.  Barrett,  and  on  his  resignation  on  October  i,  1888,  there  was 
harmony  among  the  people. 

On  November  i,  1888,  Rev.  H.  A.  Ott,  of  Brookville,  Ohio,  assumed  the 
duties  of  pastor  of  the  mission.  He  entered  into  his  work  with  untiring  zeal, 
and  soon  had  the  sympathy,  confidence,  and  help  of  every  member. 

The  Sunday  school  began  to  grow,  and  in  a  few  months  had  doubled  its 
attendance,  then  trebled,  and  even  quadrupled  that  of  former  years.  He  re- 
mained for  seven  years,  and  eight  months,  during  which  time  the  church  flour- 
ished under  his  leadership. 

The  crowning  event  of  this  period  was,  no  doubt,  Easter  Sunday,  April  2, 
1893,  when  the  congregation  declared  itself  no  longed  a  mission  from  hence- 
forth, but  a  self  sustaining  church. 

There  now  followed  several  short  pastorates,  as  follows:  Rev.  W.  S. 
Dysinger,  November,  1896  to  April,  1898;  Rev.  H.  W.  Tope,  June,  1898  to 
October,  1899;  Rev.  G.  C.  Cromer,  December,  1899  to  October,  1902. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  G.  C.  Cromer  the  interior  of  the  church  was 
redecorated  and  other  minor  improvements  were  made. 

Then  followed  the  second  longest  pastorate  in  the  history  of  the  church, 
that  of  Rev.  W.  Gardner  Thrall,  from  June,  1903  to  August,  1907.  During  that 
period  the  church  was  steadily  moving  forward,  and  it  is  today  thriving  under 
the  guidance  of  the  Rev.  Philip  H.  R.  Mullen,  who  has  done  a  great  deal  to 


436  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

advance  the  cause  in  Freeport.  The  church  edifice  on  South  Galena  avenue 
together  with  the  lot  upon  which  it  stands  is  valued  at  about  $20,000.  The 
present  membership  of  the  church  is  about  two  hundred  and  twenty-five,  with  a 
Sunday  school  of  about  two  hundred. 

EMBURY    M.    E.    CHURCH. 

The  Embury  M.  E.  church  was  the  result  of  a  growth  beginning  with  the 
founding  of  a  Sunday  school  in  the  year  1863.  This  Sunday  school  held  meet- 
ings in  a  hall  on  Stephenson  street  and  the  result  was  that  Rev.  Joseph  Wardle 
was  sent  as  missionary  to  Freeport  later  in  the  year.  About  two  years  later,  the 
following  people  who  had  previously  belonged  to  the  First  Methodist  church, 
met  and  permanently  organized  the  new  church :  Rev.  F.  C.  Winslow,  Rev. 
Mr.  McCutcheon  and  wife,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hollis  Jewell,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John 
Barnes,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  Carey,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Best  and  wife,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Abraham  German,  Mrs.'  Sechrist,  William  Sells,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Staver,  Mrs. 
Naylor,  Cornelius  Furst,  and  George  Swentzell. 

It  was  decided  to  build  a  church  edifice  as  soon  as  possible.  To  this  end 
ten  of  the  congregation  subscribed  $1,000  a  piece.  A  lot  was  bought  on  South 
Galena  avenue,  then  known  as  Exchange  street,  and  on  Thursday,  June  30,  in 
the  following  year,  1866,  the  cornerstone  of  the  present  building  was  laid.  A 
large  audience  witnessed  the  ceremony  and  the  records  have  a  great  deal  to  say 
about  the  manner  in  which  the  stone  was  put  in  place.  To  quote :  "An  ap- 
propriate hymn  was  sung  by  the  congregation,  after  which  prayer  was  offered  by 
the  Rev.  R.  A.  Blanchard,  who  also  read  the  ritual ;  the  scripture  lesson  was 
read  by  the  Rev.  W.  C.  Willing,-  followed  by  the  Rev.  J.  F.  Yates.  of  Galena, 
in  an  address,  when  the  usual  mementoes  were  placed,  including  a  copy  of  the 
Bible,  Methodist  Hymn  book,  Discipline  of  the  M.  E.  church,  Minutes  of  the 
Rock  River  conference,  statement  of  the  organization  and  history  of  the  church, 
list  of  builders  of  the  edifice,  Declaration  of  Independence,  Constitution  of 
the  United  States,  and  several  states,  copies  of  the  local  and  state  newspapers, 
specimens  of  national  coin,  etc.,  after  which  the  stone  was  placed  in  position,  and 
the  audience  dismissed  with  the  benediction."  The  building  was  pushed  rapidly 
and  soon  finished.  The  cost  was  $23,000  and  the  funds  were  practically  all 
provided  for  before  the  dedication  day  which  was  in  the  fall  of  1867. 

At  the  formation  of  the  church,  the  members  decided  to  call  it  the  "Embury 
Methodist  Episcopal  church"  in  honor  of  Philip  Embury,  the  first  Methodist 
preacher  in  America.  Rev.  Joseph  Wardle  became  the  first  pastor,  and  was  in 
a  few  years  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  John  H.  Reaves,  who  early  resigned  on 
account  of  failing  health.  The  Rev.  R.  McCutcheon,  a  resident  minister,  and 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  church,  filled  out  his  unexpired  term  assisted  by 
F.  C.  Winslow  and  Joseph  Best,  who  were  local  elders.  In  1866,  F.  A.  Read  be- 
came pastor  and  filled  his  term  of  three  years,  a  period  marked  by  steady  pros- 
perity. Rev.  F.  A.  Read  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  F.  A.  Hardin,  a  man  of 
great  energy  and  personal  enthusiasm,  Rev.  Hooper  Crews,  Rev.  S.  G.  Lathrop, 
Rev.  I.  E.  Springer,  and  then  again  by  the  Rev.  F.  A.  Hardin,  who  returned 
to  take  charge  of  his  former  pastorate  again.  Rev.  G.  S.  Young,  Rev.  Sanford 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  437 

Washburn,  and  Rev.  H.  L.  Martin  occupied  the  pulpit  in  turn,  and  then  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Wardle,  the  first  minister,  returned  to  the  church  he  had  helped  to 
found  after  an  absence  of  twenty  years.  The  pastors  who  have  filled  the  charge 
since  the  second  occupation  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Wardle,  have  been:  Rev.  J.  A. 
Matlack,  1886-1889;  Rev.  N.  J.  Harkness,  1889-1893;  Rev.  T.  V.  E.  Sweet, 
1893-1895;  Rev.  W.  H.  Haight,  1895-1897;  Rev.  A.  R.  Cronce,  1897-1898;  Rev. 
L.  C.  Burling,  1898-1902;  Rev.  J.  M.  Phelps,  1902-1905;  Rev.  E.  E.  McKay, 
1905-1908. 

Rev.  McKay  was  succeeded  in  1908  by  the  Rev.  Ray  C.  Harker,  the  present 
incumbent.  Rev.  Harker  is  a  man  of  highly  intellectual  accomplishments.  He 
is  a  graduate  of  Northwestern  University,  and  is  especially  effective  as  a  pulpit 
orator,  having  taught  for  two  years  in  the  Cumnock  School  of  Oratory  at  North- 
western. Under  his  guidance  the  church  has  grown  and  prospered  steadily.  The 
congregation  numbers  about  six  hundred  and  fifty.  The  Sunday  school,  of 
which  O.  T.  Smith  is  superintendent,  numbers  about  five  hundred.  The  church 
property  is  valued  at  $28,000  of  which  the  parsonage,  valued  at  $7,000  forms  a 
part.  Paul  Haight  is  president  of  the  brotherhood  and  George  Green  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Epworth  league. 

A  new  church  building  is  at  present  contemplated  to  take  the  place  of  the 
old  one,  which  the  congregation  has  outgrown.  The  building  will  be  commenced 
next  spring,  and  a  costly  and  beautiful  structure,  surpassed  by  none  in  the  city 
will  be  erected  on  the  site  of  the  present  church. 

GRACE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

In  1848  or  1849  the  movement  was  started  which  culminated  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  Grace  Parish.  A  little  band  of  believers  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
faith  had  been  for  some  time  holding  meetings  in  a  little  room  on  Galena  street 
under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  James  Bentley,  who  afterward  became  the  first 
pastor  of  the  church.  The  meetings  were  not  regularly  held,  but  the  interest 
in  them  was  maintained,  and  the  following  year,  the  association  determined  to 
formally  organize  a  church.  On  June  17,  1850,  the  men  who  had  met  foi 
for  the  purpose  of  organizing  drew  up  the  following  resolution  which  is  pre- 
served on  the  church  records: 

"We,  whose  names  are  hereunto  affixed,  deeply  sensible  of  the  Christian 
religion  and  earnestly  desiring  to  promote  its  holy  influence  in  our  own  hearts, 
and  in  those  of  our  families  and  neighbors,  do  hereby  associate  ourselves  under 
the  name  of  Zion  Parish,  Freeport,  in  communion  with  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  diocese  of  Illinois,  the  authority 
of  whose  constitution  and  canons  we  do  hereby  recognize,  and  to  whose  liturgy 
and  mode  of  worship  we  promise  to  conformed.  Witness  our  hands  (signed), 
Tames  Bentley,  Charles  Powell,  Andrew  F.  Hollenbach,  George  F.  Johnson, 
William  Bacon  (clerk). 

On  July  12,  1850  the  first  vestry  of  the  church  was  elected,  consisting  of 
Andrew  F.  Hollenbach,  senior  warden ;  Daniel  Brewster,  junior  warden ;  G.  F. 
Johnson,  treasurer;  Charles  Powell,  George  Puriton;  William  Bacon  (clerk). 

One  of  the  first  steps  taken  was  the  plan  for  erection  of  a  church.  While 
the  process  of  building  was  in  progress  the  church  continued  to  hold  its  services 
in  the  Galena  street  room  rented  for  its  uses.  A  portion  of  land  (the  same 


438  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

which  is  at  present  owned  by  the  church)  was  secured  at  the  corner  of  Stephen- 
son  and  Cherry  streets  and  the  building  was  begun  in  1851. 

In  !853  it  was  finished  and  Bishop  Whitehouse  consecrated  the  edifice,  being 
assisted  by  the  Revs.  McKeown,  of  Elgin,  Benedict,  of  Galena,  and  James 
Bentley,  the  Freeport  rector.  The  frame  building,  thus  consecrated  on  the 
1 6th  of  February,  1853,  remained  in  use  for  only  nine  years,  when  it  was  liter- 
ally brown  to  pieces  in  a  violent  windstorm  which  occurred  in  that  year.  Owing 
to  the  war  times  and  afflicted  condition  of  the  congregation,  the  loss  seemed 
a  very  serious  one,  and  nothing  was  done  at  once  to  replace  the  structure.  Meet- 
ings were  again  held  in  a  rented  hall,  and  for  a  time  no  effort  was  made  to  re- 
build. In  a  short  time,  however,  it  became  necessary  again  to  have  a  church 
building,  and  the  fragments  of  the  old  one  were  rebuilt  with  an  added  central 
section,  thus  increasing  the  size  of  the  building.  A  period  of  great  prosperity 
ensued  and  the  treasury  of  the  church  was  enhanced  to  such  a  degree  that  a 
new  church  building  was  deemed  advisable.  In  1887  it  was  finished  and  dedi- 
cated by  Dean  John  Wilkinson,  of  Dixon,  assisted  by  clergymen  from  Chicago, 
Galena,  Sycamore,  and  Amboy.  The  church  is  one  of  the  handsomest  in  the 
city,  being  built  of  native  white  limestone,  left  with  bold  rock  face.  The  rectory 
is  connected  with  the  church  at  the  rear,  and  the  architect,  Henry  E.  Starbuck, 
of  Chicago,  accomplished  the  somewhat  remarkable  feat  of  placing  both  church 
and  rectory  on  a  lot  60x120  feet.  The  building  is  modern  and  up-to-date  in 
every  respect.  The  latest  acquisition  is  a  new  church  organ,  unquestionably  one 
of  the  finest,  as  well  as  the  newest,  in  Freeport.  Recently,  the  rectory  was 
closed  temporarily  for  various  reasons  and  a  new  rectory  was  purchased  until 
the  old  one  could  be  improved  and  modernized. 

The  church  has  at  present  a  congregation  of  between  two  and  three  hun- 
dred, with  a  Sunday  school  somewhat  smaller.  The  present  rector  is  the  Rev. 
Frederick  J.  Bate,  who  has  been  in  charge  since  February,  1905.  The  rectors 
who  have  officiated  since  the  foundation  of  the  parish  by  the  Rev.  James  Bentley, 
have  been:  Rev.  James  Bentley,  1849-1853;  Rev.  A.  J.  Warner,  1853-1855;  Rev. 
Adams,  1856-1857;  Rev.  I.  L.  Grover,  1857-1858;  Rev.  R.  L.  Crittenden,  1858- 
1859;  Rev.  S.  R.  Weldon,  1860-1866;  Rev.  J.  N.  Clark,  1866-1868;  Rev.  W.  I. 
Johnson,  1868-1871 ;  Rev.  G.  W.  Dean,  1872-1875;  Rev.  R.  F.  Sweet,  1876-1884; 
Rev.  J.  B.  Draper,  1884-1886;  Rev.  W.  C.  De  Witt,  1886-1889;  Rev.  Marcus 
Lane,  1889-1895;  Rev.  Frederick  W.  Keator,  1896-1900;  Rev.  William  White, 
1900-1904;  Rev.  Frederick  J.  Bate,  1905 . 

TRINITY    CHURCH. 

The  early  history  of  Trinity  church  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  Salem  Evan- 
gelical church,  which  only  recently  disbanded.  In  April,  1867,  the  movement 
was  started  which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  Salem  Mission  at  Freeport. 
At  the  annual  session  of  the  Illinois  Conference,  held  in  Naperville,  Rev.  Henry 
Rohland  offered  a  motion  which  was  seconded  by  the  Rev.  S.  Dickover  that  the 
Salem  Mission  of  Freeport  be  established.  The  motion  was  carried  but  not 
acted  upon  and  for  a  whole  year  nothing  was  done.  Two  years  later  the  spring 
conference  appointed  a  pastor  and  the  Rev.  Henry  Messner  was  delegated  to  be- 


FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH 


TRINITY  CHURCH  AND  PAKSOXAOK 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 
UNIVEKSI1Y  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  439 

come  the  first  guide  of  Salem  Mission.  The  Rev.  D.  B.  Byers  was  elected 
presiding  elder  of  the  district.  Fifty-four  members  made  up  the  first  congrega- 
tion, most  of  them  coming  by  letter  from  the  Oak  street  Emanuel  Evangelical 
church,  which  held  services  only  in  German.  A  petition  had  been  presented 
to  the  conference  to  permit  preaching  in  English  on  alternate  Sundays,  but  this 
was  refused.  As  a  result,  many  of  the  congregation  withdrew,  most  of  them 
going  over  to  the  Salem  church.  The  records  of  the  church  state  that  the  first 
quarterly  conference  leaders  were  as  follows:  Class  leaders,  Paul  W.  Rockey, 
Rev.  D.  W.  Crissinger;  exhorters,  H.  W.  Pease,  John  Miller;  trustees,  John 
Barshinger,  Paul  W.  Rockey,  D.  W.  Grissinger,  John  Woodside,  Simon  Anstine ; 
stewards,  T.  Y.  Fiss,  John  Wolfinger,  Elias  Bamberger. 

For  six  months  after  its  founding,  Salem  Mission  worshiped  in  "Commercial 
Hall"  on  Stephenson  street,  but  negotiations  for  the  erection  of  a  suitable  church 
edifice  were  immediately  started.  In  the  meantime  a  Sunday  school  was  organized 
and  the  various  departments  of  church  work  were  begun.  A  house  and  lot  on 
Pleasant  street  was  secured  and  a  building,  which  still  stands,  was  immediately 
constructed,  the  total  cost  of  lot  and  building  being  nearly  $8,000.  In  1888 
an  eleven  hundred  dollar  parsonage  was  built  next  to  the  church. 

The  temporal  affairs  of  the  church  prospered  and  the  pulpit  was  successively 
occupied  by  Rev.  H.  Messner  (1869-70),  E.  C.  Condo  (1871-73),  D.  B.  Byers 
(1873-76),  C.  Schmucker  (1876-79),  W.  H.  Bucks  (1879-80),  D.  B.  Byers 
(1880-82),  W.  H.  Fouke  (1882-84),  S.  A.  Miller  (1884),  W.  Caton  (1885- 
88),  W.  H.  Fouke  (1888-91),  J.  H.  Keagle  (1891-94).  In  1893  came  a  break 
The  Dubs  faction  withdrew  from  the  Illinois  conference,  and  with  it  went 
Salem  congregation  all  except  two  members  who .  remained  outside.  These 
leaders  together  with  some  others  became  the  founders  of  the  present  Trinity 
church.  The  old  Salem  church  was  left  to  the  faithful  two  and  the  members 
of  Trinity  sought  a  new  place.  A  house  and  lot  were  bought  on  the  corner  of 
Union  and  Pleasant  streets,  where  the  present  building  stands,  and  a  frame 
edifice  was  erected,  the  house  being  made  over  into  a  parsonage. 

Following  J.  H.  Keagle,  who  will  always  be  remembered  by  the  congregation 
of  Trinity  for  his  untiring  labor  and  enthusiasm,  the  pulpit  was  occupied  by : 
S.  P.  Entorf,  1894-1898;  B.  R.  Schultze,  1898-1900;  John  Divan,  1900-1903; 
F.  W.  Landwer,  1903-1906;  L.  C.  Schmidt,  1906-1910. 

The  period  of  Rev.  L.  C.  Schmidt's  occupancy  was  a  time  of  rapid  growth 
and  increase  and  at  this  time  the  present  church  building  was  built.  The  project 
was  talked  over  in  1906,  and  the  following  year  it  was  definitely  decided  to 
build  a  new  church.  The  old  parsonage  and  frame  church  were  removed,  and 
a  large,  handsome  structure  of  colonial  brick  was  erected  on  the  old  site.  The 
new  church  which  cost  about  $25,000  is  a  credit  to  the  congregation  whose 
labors  helped  to  build  it.  It  is  surmounted  by  a  tower,  not  crowned  with  a 
spire,  but  of  unusual  height,  and  is  built  throughout  in  the  modern  style  of 
church  architecture.  The  cornerstone  was  laid  in  1907,  Bishop  Heil  presiding, 
assisted  the  presiding  elder  C.  G.  Unangst,  and  the  church  was  soon  finished. 

In  April,  1910,  a  parsonage,  at  40  Broadway  was  bought  to  take  the  place 
of  the  old  one  which  was  removed  when  the  new  church  was  built.  The  price 
of  the  new  parsonage  was  $4,200,  the  building  being  an  up  to  date  one  with  all 


440  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

modern  conveniences.  The  total  valuation  of  the  church  property,  including  the 
parsonage,  is  about  $25,000.  Trinity  church  is  in  a  prosperous  condition  at 
present  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  J.  G.  Eller,  who  succeeded  Rev.  L.  C. 
Schmidt  in  January,  1910.  The  congregation  number  three  hundred  and  four, 
and  the  Sunday  school  two  hundred  and  eighty-two. 


FIRST  GERMAN  REFORMED   CHURCH. 

The  early  history  of  the  First  German  Reformed  church  has  not  been 
preserved  with  any  great  accuracy.  It  is  only  known  that  at  some  time  during 
the  year  1862  a  little  band  of  adherents  began  holding  meetings  in  a  hall  over 
the  drug  store  of  F.  Weise  on  the  corner  of  Galena  street  and  South  Galena 
avenue  (then  Exchange  street).  The  Rev.  Mr.  Seaman  was  the  first  pastor  and 
the  congregation  embraced  a  small  number  of  names,  most  of  whom  have  been 
lost  to  us,  among  those  ascertainable  being  Henry  Schulte,  Henry  H.  Frank, 
Conrad  Rodeke,  Peter  Belger,  H.  Billiker,  and  Mr.  Ode.  Mr.  Seaman  stayed 
only  a  short  time  and  during  his  residence  the  church  did  not  thrive  very  greatly, 
owing  to  dissensions  among  the  congregation.  Rev.  O.  Accola  who  succeeded, 
was  able  to  unite  the  warring  factions  and  all  joined  in  the  common  cause  of 
of  securing  a  church  building,  which  was  put  up  on  a  lot  at  the  corner  of  Union 
and  Williams  streets.  After  a  short  time  Rev.  Accola  resigned  and  for  some 
time  the  church  was  without  a  pastor.  During  this  time  it  became  disorganized1 
and  scattered  and  it  seemed  at  one  time  as  if  the  members  had  completely  dis- 
banded. Several  years  after  in  1869  it  was  again  united  by  the  Rev.  A.  Schrader 
who  came  to  take  charge  of  the  pastorate. 

Rev.  Schrader  remained  in  Freeport  five  years  and  built  up  the  cause  in  a 
most  gratifying  manner,  after  which  the  Rev.  John  Wernly  came  to  fill  the 
pulpit.  Rev.  Wernly  remained  here  for  a  long  time  and  under  his  direction 
the  present  church  edifice  was  built  in  1879  on  the  site  of  the  old  one.  It  is  a 
simple  and  unpretentious  structure  of  brick,  with  a  spire  one  hundred  feet 
high  and  cost  about  $3,000.  In  1873  a  parsonage  was  built  on  the  land  ad- 
joining the  church,  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,000. 

Rev.  John  Wernly  was  followed  by  J.  J.  Jannett,  E.  Brunochler,  and  William 
Rech.  Under  Rev.  Mr.  Rech's  occupancy  the  church  was  entirely  remodeled 
and  repaired  throughout  at  a  cost  of  a  thousand  dollars.  Rev.  Rech  remained 
from  1898  until  1904,  the  parsonage  being  repaired  in  1903.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  Ernst  Traeger,  who  still  fills  the  charge.  In  1909,  the  church  building 
was  also  repaired  and  remodelled,  also  at  a  cost  of  $1,000.  The  structure  was 
painted  and  otherwise  improved  and  today  presents  a  most  satisfactory  appear- 
ance. The  German  Reformed  church  is  in  a  fairly  flourishing  condition,  but 
has  lost  much  of  its  membership  through  the  establishment  of  the  English  Re- 
formed church  which  occurred  recently.  The  membership  embraces  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  voting  members.  The  Sunday  school  has  a  roll  of  one  hun- 
dred with  an  average  attendance  only  a  trifle  smaller.  The  church  property  has 
risen  in  value  since  paving  on  both  sides  has  been  accomplished  and  with  the 
parsonage  is  worth  today  about  $10,000. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  441 


GERMAN    IMMANUEL. 

The  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Immanuel  church  was  founded  in  1877 
by  the  Rev.  T.  J.  Grosse  of  the  Lutheran  Seminary  at  Addison,  Du  Page  . 
County,  Illinois.  For  some  time  after  the  founding  of  the  Freeport  church, 
Rev.  Grosse  continued  to  be  identified  with  the  Addison  Seminary,  but  on  Feb- 
ruary 23,  1877,  took  charge  as  first  pastor.  During  the  first  year  of  its  existence 
the  church  increased  in  membership  until  it  reached  the  mark  of  thirty-seven. 
In  the  same  year,  a  lot  was  purchased  on  the  corner  of  Union  and  Pleasant 
streets.  On  it  a  small  church  was  erected,  which  still  meets  the  needs  of  its 
congregation,  which  has  more  than  trebled  during  the  thirty-three  years  since 
1877. 

At  the  time  of  the  founding  of  the  church  a  parochial  school  was  established 
in  connection.  This  school  embraced  about  fifty  pupils  under  the  instruction 
of  Professor  F.  Case.  Instruction  was  given  both  in  German  and  English  in 
the  elementary  and  advanced  branches.  The  school  is  still  maintained  and  has 
an  attendance  about  as  large  as  when  it  was  organized. 

Rev.  T.  J.  Grosse,  who  founded  the  church,  remained  with  it  only  a  very 
.  short  time.  In  October,  1877,  in  the  same  year  that  he  came,  he  departed 
after  an  occupancy  of  only  eight  months.  The  congregation  immediately  ex- 
tended a  call  to  the  Rev.  F.  Behrens  who  accepted  and  came  to  take  the  charge, 
which  had  increased  in  numbers  to  fifty-five.  Since  the  time  of  Rev.  Behrens 
there  have  been  few  changes  in  pastors,  the  Immanuel  church  being  distinguished 
for  this  particular  fact.  The  pastors  who  have  occupied  the  pulpit  since  the 
foundation  are  Rev.  T.  J.  Grosse,  1877;  Rev.  F.  Behrens,  1877-1880;  Rev.  H. 
D.  Schmidt,  1880-1899;  Rev.  A.  C.  Landeck,  1899 — . 

Rev.  A.  C.  Landeck  still  holds  the  pastorate  with  a  congregation  about  one 
hundred  and  thirty.  The  Sunday  school  is  also  maintained  with  an  average 
attendance  of  about  one  hundred. 

ST.   JOHN'S   EVANGELICAL    CHURCH. 

St.  John's  German  Evangelical  church  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  city.  It 
was  founded  in  1847  by  the  following  men  and  their  families:  H.  Kochsmeier, 
P.  Tewes,  A.  Mengedohd,  A.  Boedeker,  B.  Boedeker,  B.  Huenkemeier,  F.  Hanke, 
W.  Mundhenke,  C.  Riesenberger,  C.  Lesemann,  C.  Beine,  C.  Altenberg,  F.  Bod- 
mann,  H.  Burkhard,  and  E.  Bine,  elder. 

Meetings  were  held  by  the  Rev.  E.  Beine  in  a  schoolhouse  in  the  western  part 
of  the  city,  then  known  as  "Knowlton  Town."  These  meetings  were  continued 
for  several  years  and  no  church  was  formally  organized  until  1850.  In  that 
year  the  organization  was  duly  effected  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  the  Ger- 
man Evangelical  Association  of  the  West,  and  in  1850  a  lot  at  the  corner  of 
Union  street  and  South  Galena  avenue  (then  known  as  State  street)  was  pur- 
chased and  a  church  building  33  x  40  commenced. 

In  1852  the  old  church  was  finished  and  dedicated,  the  records  naming  as 
trustees  Adolph  Boedeker,  William  Mundhenke,  Henry  Burkhard,  and  August 


442  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Mengedohd.  A  year  later  the  Rev.  J.  Zimmerman  was  called  as  pastor,  and 
in  1854  the  congregation  became  a  part  of  the  German  Synod  of  the  West.  In 
1856  a  parsonage  and  schoolhouse  was  erected  on  the  church  lot  and  a  parochial 
school,  afterward  abandoned,  was  begun. 

In  1855,  Rev.  Zimmerman  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  W.  Kamptneier  who 
remained  for  ten  years.  During  the  ministry  the  old  church  was  abandoned 
and  a  new  stone  edifice  erected  on  the  site.  This  edifice  is  standing  today  and 
has  undergone  a  number  of  alterations  except  for  which  it  presents  practically 
the  same  appearance  as  when  built  in  1856.  The  building,  which  cost  $5,000, 
most  of  which  was  immediately  subscribed  for  by  the  congregation,  was  in  size 
44  x  75  and  held  an  audience  room  capable  of  seating  six  hundred  persons. 
The  building,  while  substantial,  was  plain  and  unostentatious,  being  entirely 
without  adornments  save  for  a  spire  one  hundred  feet  high. 

In  1866  the  Rev.  P.  H.  Hoefer  became  pastor  and  remained  in  charge  for 
four  years,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  D.  M.  Fotch.  He  has  since 
been  followed  by  the  Rev.  C.  Hoffmeister,  the  Rev.  Martin  Otto,  a  pastor  who 
will  long  be  remembered  for  the  loving  and  efficient  service  which  he  rendered 
the  church,  the  Rev.  N.  Severing,  who  died  May  20,  1896,  and  finally  the  Rev. 
F.  Holke,  the  present  incumbent.  Rev.  Holke  has  filled  his  post  most  ably  and 
has  proven  one  of  the  most  popular  and  beloved  pastors  of  St.  John's  church. 

Various  improvements  have  been  made  upon  the  church  building  which  today 
presents  a  far  different  appearance  from  the  original  stone  structure.  In  1887 
it  was  thoroughly  repaired  and  remodelled  and  again  ten  years  later  in  1897. 
At  the  latter  time  extensive  alterations  were  made  in"  the  structure  and  all  the 
modern  conveniences  were  added.  The  steeple  was  rebuilt,  the  height  was  in- 
creased and  a  new  front  entrance  to  the  church  was  built.  The  size  of  the  audi- 
torium has  also  been  increased.  But  the  most  noteworthy  improvement  was  the 
addition  of  a  set  of  sweet  toned  chimes,  the  finest  in  the  city.  The  interior  was 
completely  redecorated  and  changed,  and  the  resulting  edifice  is  practically  a  new 
church,  having  that  appearance  both  inside  and  out. 

The  congregation  is  large  and  steadily  increasing  in  numbers.  A  Sunday 
school  is  also  maintained.  The  church  property  including  a  parsonage  located 
back  of  the  church  on  Union  street  is  valued  at  about  $25,000. 

THIRD  PRESBYTERIAN. 

The  Third  Presbyterian  church,  while  no  longer  in  existence,  is  still  of  suf- 
ficient importance  to  claim  a  place  in  this  history.  It  disbanded  only  a  short 
time  ago  for  various  reasons,  and  the  property  on  South  Galena  avenue  for- 
merly occupied  by  the  church  is  now  for  sale. 

It  was  in  1867  that  a  little  congregation  of  Germans  who  embraced  the 
Presbyterian  faith  decided  to  unite  and  hold  services  in  their  native  tongue. 
This  little  band,  fifteen  strong,  under  the  Rev.  John  Vanderlass,  met  first  in 
the  old  courthouse  building,  which  had  so  often  afforded  a  shelter  for  struggling 
little  churches  in  their  infancy.  But  the  Third  Presbyterian  congregation  did 
not  occupy  the  old  courthouse  long.  In  the  following  year,  they  decided  to 
erect  a  house  of  worship  of  their  own.  Their  plans  were  carried  into  effect  and 


CKKMAX    M.   K.  CHURCH 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UMVLK6IIY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  443 

the  present  church  edifice  on  South  Galena  avenue  near  Dexter  street  (then 
Exchange  and  Prospect  streets)  was  erected  and  dedicated.  It  is  a  small  white 
frame  building  with  a  steeple,  like  so  many  of  the  early  churches  of  the  city 
and  county.  It  occupies  land  34  x  56,  has  a  seating  capacity  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty,  and  cost,  with  the  adjoining  parsonage,  $4,500. 

After  three  years  of  effective  labor,  Mr.  Vanderlass  was  succeeded  by  the 
Rev.  E.  A.  Elfeld,  who  retired  in  September,  1879.  For  almost  a  year  after 
that  the  church  was  without  a  pastor,  but  on  the  ist  of  July,  1880,  Rev.  C. 
Buettle  accepted  the  charge  and  remained  for  two  years. 

The  remaining  history  of  the  Third  Presbyterian  church  is  one  of  succes- 
sive periods  of  quiescence  and  revival.  For  several  periods  the  pulpit  was  un- 
occupied, and  at  several  times  a  revival  in  interest  took  place.  Among  the 
pastors  who  followed  were  the  Revs.  F.  W.  Witte,  William  Diekhoff,  etc.  Fol- 
lowing a  period  of  declining  interest,  the  congregation  decided  to  disband.  It 
was,  doubtless,  a  wise  move,  although  one  much  regretted  by  the  older  members 
of  the  congregation.  The  reason  is  evident.  There  was  no  longer  a  need  for 
a  German  Presbyterian  church.  The  younger  members  of  the  Third  church 
were  all  acquainted  with  English,  most  of  them  better  than  with  German,  and 
preferred  to  hear  sermons  in  that  tongue.  As  a  result,  the  Third  Presbyterian 
church  has  gone  out  of  existence.  There  may  be  a  resuscitation,  but  it  is 
doubtful  if  the  church  will  attempt  another  reorganization. 

GERMAN    M.    E.    CHURCH. 

To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Vosholl  must  be  assigned  the  credit  for  the  establishment 
of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  the  early  days  of  the  county's 
history  there  were  a  large  number  of  Germans  who  adhered  to  the  faith  of  John 
Wesley,  and  many  of  them  could  speak  English  only  with  very  great  difficulty. 
To  overcome  this  inconvenience,  Rev.  Vosholl  was  appointed  missionary  to 
Freeport  where  he  arrived  October  3,  1854.  Soon  after  reaching  the  field  of 
his  future  labors,  Rev.  Vosholl  collected  a  congregation  and  held  services  in 
the  basement  of  the  First  Methodist  church  while  raising  funds  and  complet- 
ing arrangements  for  the  erection  of  a  permanent  house  of  worship.  In  the 
year  1858  a  church  edifice  was  erected  on  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Spring 
streets,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500  and  occupied  until  1872,  when  it  was  razed  to  give 
place  to  the  present  one.  In  1887  the  present  house  of  worship  was  removed 
to  the  corner  of  South  Galena  avenue  and  Jackson  street,  where  it  still  stands. 
In  1880  the  congregation  numbered  about  fifty  members,  but  from  that  year 
owing  to  continual  drafts  made  thereon  by  reason  of  removals,  the  number 
diminished  until  the  membership  numbered  but  twenty-two.  Since  that  time 
the  church  has  taken  on  new  life  and  the  membership  has  increased  to  the  pres- 
ent number  of  seventy.  A  large  and  flourishing  Sabbath  school  of  fifty-five 
is  also  maintained. 

About  seventy  of  the  younger  people  of  the  church  have  joined  the  Epworth 
League,  and  are  actively  promoting  the  interest  of  that  body  and  of  the  church 
itself.  Since  the  establishment  of  the  church  the  following  pastors  have  of- 
ficiated: Revs.  H.  Vosholl,  H.  Richter,  F.  Fiegenbaum,  R.  Tillman,  C.  Holl, 


444  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Charles  Schueler,  George  Haas,  E.  R.  Irmsher,  B.  Becker,  E.  J.  Funk,  F. 
Schmidt,  A.  Brenner,  G.  E.  Hiller,  E.  Uhl,  H.  Wellemeyer,  W.  V.  Schlung,  E. 
Christ,  C.  Hess,  Stetter,  and  J.  H.  Klaus,  who  left  in  1896. 

In  the  same  year  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  J.  F.  Hartke,  under  whose 
occupancy  the  church  and  parsonage  were  remodelled.  The  rear  portion  of  the 
church  was  removed  and  placed  as  an  addition  to  the  parsonage.  It  was  then 
replaced  by  a  larger  and  more  commodious  addition  to  the  church  itself.  Rev. 
Hartke  stayed  until  1899  and  was  followed  by  Rev.  A.  F.  Hilmer  who  stayed 
only  one  year.  In  1900  the  Rev.  F.  O.  Barz  came  to  Freeport  and  under  his 
pastorate  a  new  furnace  was  placed  in  the  church  and  the  roof  raised  and  re- 
paired. Under  Rev.  W.  C.  Bergmann's  occupancy,  which  followed  the  five  years 
of  Rev.  F.  O.  Barz,  a  large  expense  was  caused  by  the  paving  which  was  done 
on  both  South  Galena  avenue  and  Jackson  street.  This  caused  a  debt  of  about 
$1,200. 

The  church  is  now  in  charge  of  the  Rev.  H.  J.  Loemker,  who  came  here  in 
1909  from  Garner,  Ohio.  The  property,  including  church  and  parsonage  is  worth 
at  least  $6,000,  of  which  the  church  is  worth  $3,500  and  the  parsonage  $2,500. 

SALEM    CHURCH. 

The  early  history  of  Salem  Evangelical  church  is  identical  with  that  of  Trin- 
ity church  which  is  treated  elsewhere.  In  April,  1867,  the  movement  which  re- 
sulted in  the  establishment  of  Salem  Mission  was  started.  Nothing  was  done, 
however,  until  two  years  later.  On  the  twenty-seventh  day  of  April,  1869, 
the  organizing  meeting  was  held,  presided  over  by  the  Rev.  D.  B.  Byers,  presid- 
ing elder  of  the  Freeport  District.  Rev.  H.  Messner,  the  pastor,  was  present, 
and  P.  W.  Rockey  officiated  as  secretary.  Articles  of  incorporation  were 
adopted,  and  a  board  of  trustees,  consisting  of  Rev.  D.  W.  Grissinger,  John 
Woodside,  P.  W.  Rockey,  John  Barshinger,  and  Simon  Anstine,  was  appointed. 
The  charter  members  of  the  church  included  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Woodside,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  John  Barshinger,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Miller,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John 
Wolfinger,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Dickover,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simon  Anstine,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  H.  W.  Pease,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  Y.  Fiss,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elias  Bamberger, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benjamin  Clark,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  H.  Spitler,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J. 
Fox,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Howard,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Amos  Hime,  Rev.  D.  W. 
Grissinger  and  Mrs.  Grissinger,  Samuel  Clair,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  Baymiller,  Miss 
Susan  Baymiller,  Aaron  H.  Barshinger,  Mrs.  H.  Dengler,  Miss  E.  Dengler,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  John  Fritz,  Miss  C.  Fritz,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elias  Koonz,  Mrs.  Carrie 
Klock,  Mrs.  Mary  Kaufmann,  Mrs.  Sarah  Kyle,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  Penticoff, 
Mrs.  E.  Neuman,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  W.  Rockey,  Miss  P.  H.  Reinhuber,  Miss  Re- 
becca Rohland,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Shaffer,  Mrs.  Anna  Stibgen,  Aaron  H.  and 
Thomas  H.  Woodside,  Mrs.  Sarah  Woodside,  Misses  Mary  and  Lizzie  Wood- 
side,  the  Revs.  D.  B.  Byers  and  Henry  Messner,  Mesdames  Byers  and  Messner, 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elias  J.  Duth. 

For  a  short  time  services  were  held  in  "Commercial  Hall"  on  Stephenson 
street,  where  a  Sunday  school  was  also  organized  and  all  the  requisite  machinery 
set  in  motion.  Meanwhile  a  committee  was  appointed  to  procure  a  suitable 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  445 

site  for  a  church  building,  and  to  secure  funds  for  the  erection  of  the  same. 
A  lot  was  soon  purchased  of  David  Sunderland,  on  Pleasant  street  for  $2,500 
and  a  Gothic  frame  building  40  x  60  feet  and  two  stories  in  height  was 
erected.  The  building  was  accomplished  for  the  most  part  by  the  members  of 
the  congregation  themselves  with  the  pastor  acting  as  foreman,  and  so  effectu- 
ally was  the  work  pushed  that  the  lecture  room  was  finished  and  occupied  in 
November  of  the  same  year.  In  the  following  year  the  church  was  finished  and 
dedicated. 

The  following  pastors  have  officiated:  H.  Messner,  1869-1870;  E.  C.  Condo, 
1871-1873;  D.  B.  Byers,  1873-1876;  C.  Schmucker,  1876-1879;  W.  H.  Bucks, 
1879-1880;  D.  B.  Byers,  1880-1882;  W.  H.  Fouke,  1882-1884;  S.  A.  Miller,  1884; 
W.  Caton,  1885-1888;  W.  H.  Fouke,  1888-1891. 

In  1890  a  break  came  and  the  Dubs  faction  of  the  Illinois  Conference  with- 
drew, taking  with  it  all  the  members  of  Salem  congregation  except  two.  This 
faction  in  Freeport  remained  in  control  of  Salem  church  until  April,  1893,  when 
the  supreme  court  of  Illinois  decided  that  all  property  belonged  to  the  Evangelical 
Association,  and  must  be  turned  over  to  it.  The  Dubs  adherents  of  Freeport 
then  withdrew  and  founded  the  present  Trinity  church.  The  faithful  two  to- 
gether with  some  others  remained  the  congregation  of  Salem  church. 

Following  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Fouke,  the  Rev.  H.  A.  Kramer  was  sent  by  the 
Illinois  Conference  to  rebuild  the  society.  In  1894  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
W.  B.  Rilling,  who  put  in  four  years  of  faithful  labor,  being  followed  by  the 
Rev.  H.  A.  Kramer  again  from  1898  to  1900.  Rev.  J.  A.  Giese  came  in  1900, 
going  away  in  1904,  and  then  the  Rev.  F.  C.  Neitz,  who  stayed  two  years,  leav- 
ing in  1906.  The  Rev.  W.  H.  Heinmiller,  who  followed,  stayed  until  the  dis- 
banding of  the  congregation  in  1908.  The  causes  which  led  to  the  disorganiza- 
tion of  Salem  church  were  deep  seated.  In  the  first  place,  the  members  of 
Salem  Mission  had  originally  been  members  of  the  Emanuel  Evangelical  church, 
and  the  congregation  was  for  the  most  part  made  up  of  people  who  had  come 
over  from  that  church  because  they  were  dissatified  that  the  conference  had  not 
allowed  English  preaching  in  the  church  on  alternate  Sundays.  This  obstacle  be- 
ing removed,  and  the  conference  permitting  English  preaching  in  the  Emanuel 
church  on  Sunday  evenings,  there  was  no  longer  any  reason  for  the  separation 
of  the  two  congregations.  Futhermore,  the  two  churches  felt  that  in  union  was 
strength,  and  that  the  merging  of  Salem  and  Emanuel  would  be  a  wise  move. 
It  has  so  resulted,  and  although  the  Emanuel  church  lost  nearly  half  of  Salem 
congregation  to  other  churches  when  the  transfer  was  made,  the  church  is  pros- 
pering today  and  there  is  every  indication  that  the  decision  was  well  timed. 

EMANUEL    EVANGELICAL    CHURCH. 

The  Emanuel  Evangelical  or  Oak  Street  Evangelical  church  has  Always  been 
described  and  one  of  Freeport's  "most  substantial"  churches.  It  is  also  one  of 
the  oldest,  having  been  founded  as  early  as  1851.  At  that  time  the  following 
membership  made  up  the  first  congregation :  John  Krinbill,  Fred  Asche,  Joseph 
Miess,  John  Marter,  Jacob  Heim,  H.  Thomas,  G.  Thomas,  G.  Mainzer,  A. 
Brenner,  L.  Metzger,  M.  Metzger,  John  Mayer,  Christian  Mainzer,  B.  Mainzer, 


446  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Mr.  Lemberger,  Catherine  Stoskopf,  William  Ellebrecht,  J.  Wolf,  J.  Frey,  and 
H.  Fahringer. 

The  original  membership  was  very  soon  increased  by  the  stirring  revivals 
which  took  place  and  before  long  a  church  building  was  being  discussed.  Joseph 
Miess,  a  member  of  the  congregation  donated  eighty  acres  of  land,  which  was 
sold  for  $450,  and  the  proceeds  used,  together  with  other  contributions,  for 
the  erection  of  a  small  brick  church  on  Oak  street  midway  between  South  Galena 
avenue  (then  State  street)  and  Empire  street.  In  1868  it  became  necessary  to 
occupy  a  new  church,  and  plans  were  formulated  for  building  the  present  struc- 
ture. These  were,  however,  not  immediately  carried  into  effect  and  it  was  1874, 
six  year  later,  before  the  building  was  finally  finished  and  dedicated.  The 
present  church,  which  is  located  at  18  and  20  Oak  street  is  of  brick,  painted 
white,  with  an  ornate  tower,  and  affords  a  seating  capacity  for  three  hundred 
and  fifty  persons.  It  was  completed  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  A.  Fuessle, 
F.  Mayer,  E.  Viergge,  F.  Heim,  and  F.  Asche  constituting  the  building  com- 
mittee. 

A  large  number  of  pastors  have  served  in  the  Emanuel  church  since  its 
organization.  Most  of  them  have  remained  only  for  a  year  or  two,  but  for  the 
last  twenty  years  the  term  of  occupancy  has  been  somewhat  longer.  The  pastors 
who  officiated  have  been  the  Revs.  H.  Rohland,  C.  Augenstein,  J.  G.  Escher,  L. 
H.  Eiterman,  J.  Reigel,  C.  Kopp,  E.  Musselman,  D.  B.  Byers,  D.  Kraemer,  J. 
Schneider,  H.  Messner,  A.  Stahley,  W.  J.  Walker,  M.  Stamm,  A.  Fuessle,  Wil- 
liam Schrims,  A.  Huelster,  E.  R.  Troyer,  Theodore  Alberding,  Carl  Hauser,  N. 
Wunderlich,  William  F.  Klingbeil,  and  J.  C.  Schaefer,  the  present  minister. 

In  1908  the  congregation  of  Salem  church  united  with  the  Emanuel  church, 
since  when  preaching  has  been  held  in  English  at  the  evening  service  and  in  Ger- 
man in  the  morning.  The  congregation  numbers  about  one  hundred  and  ninety- 
two,  with  a  Sunday  school  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-two.  Most  of  the  societies 
of  the  church,  and  particularly  all  the  young  people's  societies  conduct  their 
meetings  in  English.  Most  of  the  Sunday  school  classes  are  in  English,  but 
a  few  are  taught  in  German.  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  J.  C.  Schaefer,  has  been 
in  charge  but  a  short  time,  having  come  here  from  Washington,  Illinois.  The 
financial  affairs  of  Emanuel  church  are  in  good  condition.  The  church  itself  is 
valued  at  $13,000  together  with  the  lot  upon  which  it  stands,  while  the  parsonage, 
which  is  next  to  the  church  at  14  Oak  street,  represents  a  valuation  of  $(".500 
making  a  total  of  nearly  $20,000.  The  value  of  the  Oak  street  property  has 
risen  of  late  years  owing  to  the  improvements  in  the  way  of  paving  that  have 
been  made  in  the  vicinity. 

FIRST    FREE    METHODIST    CHURCH. 

The  history  of  the  First  Free  Methodist  church  of  Freeport  is  one  of  alter- 
nating periods  of  activity  and  quiescence.  There  was  an  early  church  previous 
to  1865,  but  absolutely  nothing  can  be  learned  of  its  origin  or  activity.  From 
1865  to  1877  there  was  no  church  at  all,  but  in  1877  the  church  was  re-organized 
and  consisted  of  the  following  members :  Ferry  Crowden  and  wife,  Jacob  Mease 
and  wife,  and  David  Moon.  The  Rev.  J.  Buss  was  called  to  the  charge,  and 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  447 

aided  by  these  faithful  few,  he  succeeding  in  reviving  the  church.  Services  were 
held  at  first  in  covenient  halls  and  elsewhere,  until  the  latter  part  of  1877,  when 
the  churchi  building  now  in  use  was  completed.  This  stood  at  first  on  South 
Galena  avenue  but  was  later  removed  to  a  location  on  Broadway.  The  cost 
of  the  structure  was  estimated  at  $1,000. 

In  1878  a  revival  was' experienced  in  the  circuit  in  which  the  congregation  is 
included,  conducted  by  the  Revs.  W.  F.  Manly  and  A.  F.  Ferris,  through  whose 
labors  ninety-one  were  converted  and  additions  made  to  the  congregation. 

The  history  of  the  church  since  that  time  has  been  marked  by  continual 
changes  in  pastors,  an  unusually  large  number  having  occupied  the  pulpit.  The 
congregation  has  not  increased  very  extensively  in  size,  but  remains  about  the 
same,  having  a  membership  of  between  thirty  and  forty.  The  church  property, 
including  a  frame  edifice,  28x40  capable  of  seating  two  hundred  and  fifty  per- 
sons, is  valued  at  a  little  less  than  a  thousand  dollars.  The  present  pastor  in 
charge  is  the  Rev.  D.  W.  Finch,  who  has  been  in  Freeport  since  last  year.  The 
parsonage  is  located  at  92  American  street. 

FIRST  ENGLISH   REFORMED  CHURCH. 

Freeport  is  the  center  of  a  group  of  Reformed  churches  in  Stephenson  and 
the  adjoining  counties,  and  being  a  growing  city  there  is  a  natural  field  for  the 
organization  of  an  English  Reformed  church.  It  was  not  until  1906,  however, 
that  the  present  church  was  conceived.  There  had  been  a  German  Reformed 
church  in  the  city  for  many  years,  but  there  were  also  many  English  adherents 
of  that  religion  which  dates  it  origin  to  the  Reformation  and  stands  for  the 
principles  of  that  great  historic  movement.  Some  of  these  attended  the  German 
church ;  others  were  scattered  in  other  congregations. 

In  the  summer  of  1906,  Mr.  Chalmer  Beaver,  a  student  from  the  Heidel- 
berg Theological  Seminary,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Sunday  school  board  of 
the  Reformed  church,  opened  a  Sunday  school  which  had  for  its  meeting  place 
the  old  Third  Presbyterian  church  on  South  Galena  avenue  near  Pleasant  street. 

In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  the  Rev.  R.  F.  Schultz,  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  or- 
ganized a  congregation  of  twelve  members,  heads  of  families :  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George  Scoeney,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Brown,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simon  Brown,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  John  Richard,  Mrs.  Potter,  Mrs.  Frank  Shelley,  Mrs.  Rebecca  Ditzler, 
Mrs.  George  Springman.  These  constituted  the  charter  members. 

Rev.  Schultz  remained  through  the  year,  and  in  November  was  succeeded  by 
the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  C.  M.  Rohrbaugh,  who  took  charge  of  the  pastorate 
on  December  ist,  having  come  to  Freeport  from  Germantown,  Ohio.  For  two 
years  services  were  held  in  the  old  Third  Presbyterian  church,  during  all  of  which 
time  the  building  of  a  permanent  church  home  was  talked  over  and  discussed. 
In  1908  the  first  decisive  step  was  taken. 

In  the  early  part  of  that  year  a  lot  was  purchased  on  the  corner  of  Carroll 
street  and  South  Galena  avenue,  on  a  portion  of  the  Barnes  property.  In  the 
summer  of  that  year  the  present  edifice  was  erected.  The  cornerstone  was 
laid  on  the  fourteenth  day  of  June,  the  speakers  on  the  occasion  being  Hon.  L. 
H.  Burrell  of  Freeport,  and  the  Rev.  W.  D.  Marburger,  of  Dakota.  The  church 


448  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

was  immediately  finished  and  the  dedication  conducted  on  the  twenty-ninth  day 
of  November.  Rev.  Charles  E.  Miller,  D.  D.,  president  of  the  Board  of  Home 
Missions,  was  the  principal  speaker  of  the  day.  The  church  has  now  been  oc- 
cupied for  nearly  two  years. 

The  building  is  a  handsome  structure  of  glazed  brick,  trimmed  with  Bed- 
ford sand-stone.  The  interior  is  finished  in  oak  and  is  modern  in  every  respect, 
with  an  auditorium  having  a  seating  capacity  of  four  hundred  and  fifty,  on 
the  main  floor.  There  is  also  a  splendid  basement  designed  for  Sunday  school 
rooms  and  social  purposes.  The  equipment  represents  an  investment  of  ap- 
proximately $15,000.  $5,000  of  this  sum  was  donated  by  the  local  church  and 
its  friends  in  this  community,  and  $10,000  was  provided  by  the  Board  of  Home 
Missions. 

Although  so  recently  founded  the  church  is  in  a  flourishing  condition  at 
present,  and  is  rapidly  increasing  in  membership.  The  original  twelve  families 
concerned  in  the  organization  have  now  increased  to  over  fifty.  The  Sunday 
school  enrolls  one  hundred  and  forty  members,  with  an  average  attendance  not 
so  large.  The  church  property  is  valued  at  $15,000  the  cost  of  the  present 
structure. 

FIRST  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST,  SCIENTIST. 

First  Church  of  Christ,  Scientist,  was  organized  in  1899,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Fry 
Burchard  being  especially  instrumental  in  its  organization.  For  a  few  years 
previous  to  that  time,  a  society  composed  of  Christian  Scientists  had  held  meet- 
ings, but  nothing  had  been  done  in  the  way  of  effecting  a  church  corporation. 
At  that  time  a  charter  was  secured  from  the  First  Church  of  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts, of  which  Mother  Church  the  Freeport  society  is  a  branch  church. 

For  a  year  or  more  after  organization  the  church  held  meetings  in  a  hall  in 
Fry's  block.  The  names  of  about  fifteen  men  and  women  appeared  on  the 
original  charter  of  the  church,  and  as  the  organization  grew  and  quarters  be- 
came crowded  a  larger  room  was  secured  in  the  Wilcoxin  building. 

Sunday  services  and  Wednesday  evening  meetings  continued  to  be  held  in  the 
Wilcoxin  building.  A  reading  room  was  established  in  connection  with  the  church 
and  also  a  Sunday  school.  Later  an  adjoining  room  in  the  building  was  rented 
and  united  with  the  original  room  in  order  to  accomodate  the  needs  of  the  read- 
ding  room  and  Sunday  school. 

In  the  fall  of  1908  the  property  belonging  to  Mrs.  H.  E.  Bogar  at  229  Ste- 
phenson  street  was  bought  at  a  price  of  $6,000,  most  of  the  amount  being  im- 
mediately raised  by  subscriptions  entirely  within  the  church.  A  recent  bequest 
of  $2,000  by  an  interested  outsider  more  than  leaves  the  church  free  of  debt. 
Services  are  at  present  being  held  in  the  house  which  was  purchased,  the  interior 
having  been  redecorated  and  remodelled  for  church  purposes.  A  church  edifice 
is  contemplated  for  the  future  on  the  same  lot.  The  church  reading  room  is  now 
maintained  in  the  church  building  at  229  Stephenson  street. 

The  affairs  of  the  church  are  at  present  in  a  prosperous  condition  and  gratify- 
ing developments  are  expected.  The  services  of  this  church  are  not  conducted 
by  a  pastor,  but  by  two  readers  who  read  selections  from  the  Bible  and  the  Chris- 


TRINITY   CliriU'II.  FRKKI'ORT 


KXCIJSH   REFORM  CHURCH 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVEKSITY  Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  449 

tian  Science  text  book.  The  readers  are  elected  for  terms  of  three  years,  those 
in  office  at  present  being  Miss  Silena  Gransden,  and  Mrs.  S.  C.  Porter.  The 
church  property  is  valued  at  about  $7,000. 


UNITED  BRETHREN  CHURCH. 

The  United  Brethren  church  of  Freeport  was  organized  in  1892,  and  is  con- 
sequently of  comparatively  recent  origin.  Previous  to  1892  a  number  of  ad- 
herents of  the  sect  had  lived  in  the  city,  but  not  in  sufficient  number  to  warrant 
the  formation  of  a  church.  A  number  of  attempts  to  establish  a  church  were 
made,  but  nothing  permanent  was  accomplished  and  the  project  had  been  repeat- 
edly abandoned.  In  the  early  spring  of  1892,  on  the  i3th  day  of  March,  nineteen 
members  of  the  brotherhood  met  together  and  adopted  resolutions  organizing  the 
United  Brethren  church  of  Freeport.  These  nineteen  members,  some  of  whom 
are  still  with  the  church,  were:  Rev.  N.  G.  Whitney,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Whitney,  Dr. 
L.  B.  Peck,  Ira  Long,  Eva  Long,  Sarah  Whitehead,  George  R.  Ringer,  Anna  M. 
Ringer,  A.  E.  Peck,  Lizzie  De  Jongh,  Anna  M.  Myers,  Ezra  Burling,  George 
Brown,  M.  C.  Brown,  O.  P.  Spielman,  Noah  Peck,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Peck,  M.  Adleman 
and  Mrs.  M.  Adleman. 

The  succeeding  years  were  marked  by  prosperity  and  rapid  growth.  No 
sooner  had  the  congregation  organized  than  they  began  to  look  about  and  find 
a  suitable  spot  for  erecting  their  church  edifice.  A  lot  on  the  corner  of  Galena 
and  Locust  streets,  at  the  western  extremity  of  the  former  was  found  procurable, 
and  the  present  building  was  erected  and  dedicated  the  following  spring.  It  is 
a  handsome  structure,  unassuming  in  appearance,  but  substantially  built  of 
brick,  and  quite  competent  to  fill  the  needs  of  the  congregation.  The  style  of 
architecture  is  Gothic  and  a  beautiful  tower  and  spire  crowns  the  pile.  On  the 
second  story  is  the  auditorium  which  will  hold  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  per- 
sons. The  first  floor  is  given  over  to  lecture  rooms,  Sunday  school  rooms,  etc. 

About  four  years  ago,  a  parsonage  was  built  on  Galena  street,  next  to  the 
church.  This  parsonage,  the  cost  of  which  was  about  $4,000  is  one  of  the 
finest  in  the  city,  and  a  great  credit  to  the  church. 

At  the  present  time  the  membership  of  the  church  has  risen  to  one  hundred 
and  ninety  and  a  Sunday  school  is  maintained,  the  roll  of  which  numbers  one 
hundred  and  sixty,  with  a  regular  attendance  somewhat  smaller.  Since  the 
founding  of  the  church  in  Freeport,  the  pulpit  has  been  occupied  by  a  large 
number  of  pastors,  all  of  whom  have  remained  in  the  city  for  a  very  brief  term. 
The  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  D.  E.  Bear,  has  been  in  Freeport  for  about  a 
year,  having  come  here  from  the  southern  part  of  the  state. 

FIRST    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 

For  a  long  time  East  Freeport  had  been  designated  by  the  mission  workers 
as  a  "neglected  field."  It  was  repeatedly  brought  to  the  notice  of  missionaries, 
and  as  often  forgotten  owing  to  the  pressing  needs  of  other  localities  equally 
neglected.  On  May  24,  1908,  the  Rev.  B.  M.  Southgate  came  to  investigate  the 
field  with  the  result  that  an  organization  known  as  the  East  Freeport  Sunday 
school  was  started  in  one  of  the  buildings  in  Taylor's  Park.  Much  interest 
was  taken  in  the  project  by  the  Second  Congregational  church  of  Rockford, 


450  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

whose  members  had  long  been  desirous  of  establishing  a  church  in  Freeport. 
The  success  of  the  Sunday  school  which  was  begun  with  only  six  or  eight  mem- 
bers led  to  the  discussion  of  plans  for  a  church. 

Mostly  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Second  church  of  Rockford,  the 
First  church. of  Freeport  was  established  less  than  a  year  after  the  founding  of 
the  East  Freeport  Sunday  school.  On  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  January,  1908, 
a  band  of  interested  workers  met  and  organized  formally  the  First  Congre- 
gational church.  A  rented  house  on  Taylor  avenue  was  at  first  used  for  church 
purposes.  The  Sunday  school  was  moved  here  from  the  Taylor  Park  location 
and  all  the  machinery  of  the  organization  was  set  in  motion. 

It  was  at  once  decided  to  erect  a  church  building  and  a  suitable  lot  was 
bought  across  the  street  from  the  rented  house  on  the  corner  of  Taylor  avenue 
and  Sheridan  street.  The  cornerstone  of  the  edifice  was  laid  in  August,  1908, 
the  officials  of  the  day  being  the  Rev.  H.  L.  Moore,  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
church,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Puddefoot,  superintendent  of  missions  of  the  state  of  In- 
diana, and  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Brooks,  the  local  pastor  who  had  succeeded  the  Rev. 
B.  M.  Southgate  earlier  in  the  year. 

The  work  of  building  was  continued  through  the  winter  and  the  next  year, 
and  by  May,  1910,  it  was  ready  for  use.  On  May  9,  1910  the  church  was  dedi- 
cated. The  building  cost  $7,700,  which  sum  was  raised  partly  by  the  local 
church  and  partly  by  outside  subscription.  A  number  of  extensive  additions 
and  improvements  have  since  been  completed  raising  the  total  cost  to  about 
$8,000.  The  old  church  building  on  Taylor  avenue  is  still  rented  and  is  at 
present  utilized  as  a  parsonage. 

In  January,  1910,  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Brooks  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  W.  G. 
Jones,  the  present  incumbent.  The  membership  of  the  church  has  risen  to 
about  fifty-six,  the  original  number  of  organizing  members  being  twenty-three. 
The  Sunday  school  is  somewhat  larger.  It  was  started  with  an  enrollment  of 
about  six  members  and  now  consists  of  over  one  hundred  and  twenty  regular 
attendants. 

The  new  church  building  is  a  modest  structure  of  frame  construction,  cov- 
ered with  pebble-dash.  A  small  tower  and  spire  crowns  the  pile,  and  a  hand- 
some stained-glass  window  in  the  front,  as  well  as  smaller  ones  on  the  sides 
add  to  the  beauty  of  the  whole.  At  the  present  time  the  First  Congregational 
church  is  the  newest  building  built  exclusively  for  church  purposes  in  the  city 
of  Freeport.  The  Second  Presbyterian  church,  which  is  about  completed,  will 
presently  be  the  newest  building. 

The  outlook  for  the  church  is  very  bright  at  the  present  time.  The  con- 
gregation is  not  only  a  growing  one,  but  it  is  composed  of  members  who  are 
sincere  and  indefatigable  workers.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  the  Congregational 
church  has  come  to  supply  a  long  felt  want  in  Freeport,  the  growth  should  be 
rapid  and  gives  every  indication  of  being  so. 

CHRISTIAN  CHURCH. 

Four  years  ago,  in  1906,  the  First  Christian  church  of  Freeport  was  estab- 
lished by  the  Rev.  Jordan,  of  Rockford,  who  came  to  Freeport  as  a  missionary 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  451 

of  the  state  association.  A  meeting  was  held  at  the  county  courthouse,  to 
which  all  representatives  of  the  denomination,  as  well  as  others  interested  in 
the  faith,  were  invited.  A  church  organization  was  there  effected,  about  forty 
me  and  women  becoming  members  of  the  church. 

In  the  same  year,  the  Rev.  J.  A.  Barnett  was  called  as  pastor,  and  the  place 
of  worship  was  transferred  from  the  courthouse,  where  a  number  of  meetings 
had  been  held,  to  the  audience  room  of  the  Masonic  Temple.  Rev.  J.  A.  Bar- 
nett stayed  only  one  year,  and  then  left  to  accept  a  call  from  Galesburg,  Illinois. 

His  place  was  taken  by  the  Rev.  F.  W.  Emerson,  under  whose  pastorate  the 
little  band  of  workers  prospered  wonderfully  and  became  greatly  increased  in 
numbers.  Rev.  Emerson  remained  only  two  years,  but  the  impress  of  his  work 
is  still  felt.  There  has  been  talk  of  building  a  church  edifice  at  various  times, 
but  the  church  has  never  felt  itself  strong  enough  to  attempt  this.  The  member- 
ship has  increased  to  fifty,  and  a  Sunday  school  of  about  twenty  members  is 
maintained  under  the  superintendency  of  Mr.  Johnson.  After  the  departure 
of  Mr.  Emerson  the  church  was  for  some  time  without  a  pastor.  Last  year 
his  place  was  taken  by  the  Rev.  C.  O.  Livingstone,  who  has  recently  accepted 
a  call  elsewhere,  and  the  pulpit  is  again  unoccupied. 

Although  with  one  exception  the  youngest  religious  organization  of  the  city, 
the  Christian  church  is  in  a  thriving  condition  and  gives  promise  of  steady  and 
continued  growth.  Without  doubt,  a  church  will  be  built  in  the  near  future. 
At  the  present  time,  various  plans  have  been  adopted,  but  nothing  definite  has 
been  accomplished. 

THEOSOPHICAL    SOCIETY. 

The  Freeport  Theosophical  Society  was  organized  in  Freeporf  in  the  year 
1898  by  C.  H.  Little,  who  became  its  first  president.  William  Brinsmaid  be- 
came the  first  secretary.  Meetings  were  at  first  held  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Little 
on  West  Stephenson  street  and  in  his  parlor  the  fourteen  original  members 
gathered  to  hold  their  regular  meetings. 

Afterwards  it  became  inconvenient  to  hold  meetings  at  Mr.  Little's  resi- 
dence, and  a  room  was  rented  in  the  Rice  building,  now  the  Mackay  block.  A 
few  years  later  the  society  procured  a  suite  of  rooms  in  the  Wilcoxin  Block, 
which  they  used  for  some  time. 

For  the  past  few  years  the  lodge  has  met  at  the  home  of  F.  J.  Kunz  on 
West  street.  From  the  original  number  of  fourteen  the  society  has  increased 
to  twenty-five.  The  officers  of  the  Theosophical  Society  for  the  current  year 
are:  President,  T.  D.  Wilcoxin;  vice  president,  F.  J.  Kunz;  secretary,  Miss 
Alma  Kunz. 

PEOPLE'S  INSTITUTE. 

The  People's  Institute  grew  out  of  the  People's  Independent  church,  which 
was  organized  in  February,  1909,  by  the  Rev.  William  H.  Beynon,  formerly 
minister  of  the  First  Baptist  church. 

The  People's  Independent  church  sought  to  teach  and  preach  a  universal 
Christian  religion,  without  creed  or  restrictions  as  to  individual  convictions. 


452  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

During  the  year  the  People's  Independent  church  was  merged  into  a  larger  in- 
stitution called  the  People's  Institute.  The  institute  had  three  departments ; 
viz.,  religious,  educational,  and  fraternal.  It  has  no  creed,  but  only  a  "Bond  of 
Union,"  which  members  are  expected  to  sign.  The  "Bond  of  Union"  is  a 
line  of  action,  not  a  creed,  and  consistency  of  action  therewith  is  expected.  The 
"Bond  of  Union"  reads  as  follows: 

"We  join  ourselves  together  in  service  to  God  and  man  through  serving 
man,  as  supremely  exemplified  by  Jesus  and  the  teachers  of  humanity,  endeav- 
oring thereby  to  acquire  power  to  bear  one  another's  burdens,  wisdom  to  pro- 
mote justice,  truth  and  righteousness,  and  spirit  to  establish  peace,  purity,  and 
love  in  the  world." 

Under  the  auspices  of  the  three  departments  the  following  organizations  are 
established : 

Public  religious  Sunday  service,  at  which  sermons  and  lectures  touching  on 
modern  day  problems,  religious,  moral,  economic,  and  political  are  delivered. 

The  Sunday  school,  where  the  Bible  and  religion  are  presented  under  most 
modern  instruction.  The  Sunday  school  is  graded  according  to  the  public  school 
grades. 

The  Sociological  Club,  which  deals  with  social  problems. 

The  Labor  Forum,  which  devotes  itself  to  the  study  of  industrial  problems 
as  related  to  the  working  classes. 

The  Municipal  Club,  which  studies  municipal  problems,  and  exerts  its  influ- 
ence for  municipal  reform. 

The  Political  Forum,  which  is  open  to  all  political  types  of  faith  and  parties 
to  present  their  claims  publicly. 

The  Ladies'  Institute  League,  composed  of  the  ladies  of  the  institute,  whose 
object  is  to  further  the  interests  of  the  institute  socially  and  educationally. 

The  Young  People's  League,  which  is  devoted  to  the  development  of  the 
youth  morally,  socially,  and  educationally. 

The  People's  Institute  was  founded  by  Mr.  Beynon  for  the  purpose  of  meet- 
ing the  greater  needs  of  the  masses  in  a  religious,  moral,  social,  educational, 
economic,  and  political  manner.  "Believing  that  man  is  larger  than  any  creed 
or  any  human  restriction  or  formality  imposed  upon  him  by  religious  denomina- 
tions or  sects,  and  that  man  cannot  rise  to  the  height  of  the  Jesus  ideal,  nor 
attain  to  the  real  brotherhood  of  man  while  hampered  by  factional  creeds  and 
religious  restrictions,  which  are  oftentimes  the  cause  of  dwarfing  rather  than 
developing  man,"  Mr.  Benyon  conceived  that  an  organization  such  as  he  founded 
would  more  readily  help  man  to  attain  the  highest  ideal  individually  and  so- 
cially, and  therefore  struck  out  to  reach  such  a  goal.  Services  were  for  a  time 
held  in  the  Masonic  Temple,  but  have  since  been  transferred  to  the  old  Salem 
church  on  Pleasant  street. 

SCHOOLS  AFTER  1860. 

September  i,  1859,  the  school  directors  of  Freeport,  Heald,  Buckley  and 
Smith  called  an  election  and  the  people  voted  a  tax  to  build  the  River  school. 
The  ground  was  purchased  and  the  building  completed  in  the  spring  of  1860. 


First  Ward  School 


Lincoln  School 


East  Freeport  School 


River  School 


Third   Ward  School 


Center  Street  School 


Union  Street  School 


SCHOOLS  OF  FREEI'OKT 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  453 

In  August,  1865,  another  special  election  was  held  and  it  was  voted  to  build 
a  new  school  in  the  third  ward  at  the  corners  of  Liberty  and  Williams  streets. 
This  building  cost  $17,000.00  and  was  completed  in  1866.  It  was  known  as 
the  Wright  school. 

The  site  for  the  Lincoln  avenue  school  was  brought  for  $1,200,00,  January 
i,  1868.  The  building  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  $12,465.77  in  the  fall  of  1868. 
The  directors  at  that  time  were  C.  J.  Fry,  H.  M.  Barnum,  F.  W.  S.  Brawley, 
Ezrom  Mayer,  treasurer ;  and  L.  W.  Guiteau,  alternate. 

The  school  directors  for  1877  were  J.  M.  Bailey,  Jacob  Krohn  and  Frederick 
Bartlett.  July  7,  1877,  they  decided  to  erect  a  new  building  for  the  High  school. 
This  building  was  built  at  the  corner  of  Cherry  and  Exchange  (then  called 
Bridge  street)  at  a  cost  of  over  $14,000.00.  The  High  school  was  maintained 
in  this  building  till  -  — ,  when  the  present  High  school  (the  old  part)  was 
erected. 

SCHOOLS    OF    FREEPORT. 


In  1867,  F.  W.  S.  Brawley,  C.  J.  Fry  and  H.  M.  Barnum  were  the  school 
directors.  Formerly  the  principal  of  the  High  school  had  been  given  the  general 
supervision  of  the  city  schools.  But  September  2,  the  board  of  directors  decided 
that  such  an  arrangement  was  not  adequate  to  meet  the  demands  of  a  rapidly 
growing  school  system,  and  created  the  office  of  superintendent  of  city  schools. 
The  board  then  elected  Mr.  G.  G.  Alvord,  superintendent.  From  1867  to  1910, 
Freeport  has  had  seven  superintendents,  Professor  C.  C.  Snyder  serving  eighteen 
years.  Professor  Snyder  was  a  graduate  of  Northwestern  University,  and  came 
to  Freeport  after  teaching  in  Belvidere  and  Lyons,  Iowa.  The  best  evidence 
of  the  worth  of  this  educator  is  the  fact  that  he  held  the  position  of  superin- 
tendent for  eighteen  years.  His  son,  Dr.  K.  F.  Snyder,  is  one  of  the  prominent 
physicians  of  Freeport. 

City  superintendent  R.  W.  Burton  was  elected  county  superintendent  in 
1893.  Superintendent  F.  T.  Oldt  came  to  Freeport  in  1893,  after  fifteen  years 
experience  in  Lanark,  and  left  here  in  1895  to  take  position  of  superintendent 
of  the  city  schools  of  Dubuque,  which  position  he  held  till  February,  1910.  Su- 
perintendent R.  S.  Page,  an  educator  of  considerable  experience,  having  been 
a  teacher  for  years  in  Ohio  and  Indiana,  came  to  Freeport  in  1895  and  served 
as  superintendent  till  his  death,  January,  1904. 

On  the  death  of  Superintendent  Page,  Professor  S.  E.  Raines,  who  had  been 
principal  of  the  High  school  since  1897,  was  elected  superintendent  and  is  now 
in  his  seventh  year  in  that  position.  Mr.  Raines  is  a  graduate  of  the  Indiana 
State  Normal  School  and  of  the  University  of  Indiana.  Before  coming  to  Free- 
port,  he  was  superintendent  of  the  Sullivan,  Indiana,  Schools.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  National  Educational  Association,  has  been  president  of  the  Northern 
Illinois  Teachers  Association,  and  his  mastery  of  the  detail  and  his  successful 
experience  have  given  him  a  high  rank  among  the  city  superintendents  of  the 
United  States.  Under  his  supervision,  the  schools  of  Freeport  have  made  re- 
markable progress. 


454  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Summary  of  Superintendents:  G.  G.  Alvord,  1867-1872;  C.  C.  Snyder,  1872- 
1890;  A.  O.  Deubelt,  1890-1891;  R.  W.  Burton,  1891-1893;  F.  T.  Oldt,  1893- 
1895;  R.  S.  Page,  1895- January,  1904;  S.  E.  Raines,  January,  1904. 

To  go  back  to  the  beginning  it  may  be  said  that  Nelson  Martin,  who  taught 
the  first  school  in  Freeport  in  the  little  log  store-room  on  the  river  bank  in  1837, 
was  the  first  principal.  The  place  of  High  school  was  filled  by  private  schools, 
subscription  schools,  academies  and  seminaries  till  the  Union  school  was  built  in 
1852.  Among  the  Select  school  principals  were  George  Scoville,  Messrs,  Coon 
&  Dickey,  Mr.  Bentley,  A.  B.  Campbell,  Geo.  W.  Lutz  and  Louise  Burchard. 
Mary  A.  Potter.  Mr.  A.  B.  Campbell  was  principal  in  1850. 

When  the  Union  school  was  established  in  1852,  Mr.  William  J.  Johnson 
was  principal.  Hon.  H.  C.  Burchard  was  principal  in  1854-5 ;  Henry  M.  Free- 
man, A.  M.,  1855-1858;  A.  N.  Marriman,  1859;  George  L.  Montague,  1860- 
1861;  M.  W.  Tewksbury,  1862-1863;  H.  V.  Barnum,  1863;  W.  H.  V.  Raymond; 
1864;  David  Parsons,  1865-1866;  G.  G.  Alvord,  1867-1869;  S.  C.  Cotton,  1870; 
Miss  E.  R.  Beckwith,  1871;  C.  C.  Snyder,  1872-1874;  Miss  F.  E.  Weed,  1874- 
1875;  Miss  S.  L.  Stocking,  1875-1876;  A.  W.  Green,  1876-1884;  J.  H.  Hutcheson, 
1884-1889;  F.  A.  Rosebrugh,  1889-1893;  R.  E.  Loveland,  1893;  W.  D.  Hawk, 
1893-1895;  J.  E.  McGilvrey,  1895-1896;  J.  W.  Bray,  1896-1897;  S.  E.  Raines, 
1897- January,  1904;  H.  E.  Adams,  January,  1904- June,  1904  acting  principal; 
L.  A.  Fulwider,  1904. 

TABLE  OF   GROWTH   OF    FREEPORT    HIGH    SCHOOL. 
YEAR.  ENROLLMENT.     GRADUATES. 

1879  130      16 

1880  78      26 

1881  '. ...   81      24 

1882  125       9 

1883  121       8 

1884  50       4 

1885  130  14 

1886  148  n 

1887  145  18 

1888  146  12 

1889  61       20 

1890  115  15 

1891  132  10 

1892  125  14 

1893  125  13 

1894 154  23 

1895  171  18 

1896  185  20 

1897   212          22. 

Year.  Graduates. 

1898  216       23 

1899  236       27 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  455 

1900  246      32 

1901  260      36 

1902  265       44 

1903  305       S2 

1904  308       46 

1905  • 323      55 

1906  334      5i 

1907  354      52 

1908  357      53 

1909  '398      49 

1910  430      66 

The  graduates  of  the  Freeport  high  school  have  now  high  places  in  the  world's 
work,  and  have  reflected  much  credit  and  honor  on  the  school  and  the  county. 

In  1882  a  four-year  high  school  course  was  established,  a  three-year  having 
been  maintained  up  to  that  date. 

ALUMNI. 

Almost  one  thousand  students  have  been  graduated  from  the  Freeport  high 
school  since  1863.  There  were  four  in  the  class  of  1863 ;  fifteen  in  the  class  of 
1870;  sixteen  in  the  class  of  1880;  fifteen  in  the  class  of  1890;  thirty-two  in 
the  class  of  1900;  and  sixty-six  in  the  class  of  1910. 

Among  those  who  have  won  more  than  average  success  are  the  following  r 
Dr.  Charles  R.  Sheetz,  Algonia,  Iowa;  Hon.  Homer  Aspinwall,  Freeport;  Rev. 
Niles  W.  Neermans,  De  Kalb,  Illinois;  Thomas  W.  Woodside,  Takanjimba, 
Africa;  Flora  Guiteau,  teacher,  Freeport;  Clara  S.  Hawes,  librarian,  Pittsfield, 
Massachusetts ;  Mrs.  Elida  J.  Pattison  Bently,  Freeport ;  Addison  Bidwell,  Free- 
port;  Dr.  Eugene  Rockey,  Portland,  Oregon;  Mrs.  Lizzie  E.  McCoy  Flanagan, 
Freeport;  Oscar  E.  Heard,  circuit  judge,  Freeport;  Eliza  L.  Murphy,  Freeport; 
John  S.  Collman,  Freeport ;  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  E.  Burrell,  Brooklyn,  New  York ; 
Mrs.  Alice  Serf  ass  Towslee,  Freeport;  Mrs.  Alice  Sanborn  Brown,  Freeport; 
Mrs.  Kittie  Buckman  Mitchell,  Freeport;  Professor  Thomas  Hunt,  Dean  of  the 
Agricultural  Department,  State  College,  Pennsylvania;  Mrs.  Carrie  Gund  Tag- 
gart,  Freeport;  Thomas  Rockey,  Freeport;  Mathias  Hettinger,  Freeport;  Ida 
Galloway,  teacher,  New  York  City ;  Henry  M.  Hyde,  editor  of  Technical  World, 
Chicago;  Hazen  S.  Capron,  banker,  Champaign,  Illinois;  Harvey  Zartman, 
Freeport;  Mary  Hosmer,  Freeport;  James  Hyde,  lawyer,  Chicago;  Marion  Pot- 
ter, librarian,  Minneapolis ;  Rev.  James  Benson,  Peoria,  Illinois ;  Mrs.  Edith 
DeVore  Tiffany,  Freeport;  Alpheus  J.  Goddard,  Freeport;  Douglas  Pattison, 
Freeport;  Rev.  Paul  Jenkins,  Milwaukee;  Dr.  Fred  H.  Bowers,  Freeport;  Ed- 
win H.  Smythe,  Chicago;  Fred  M.  Gund,  insurance,  Freeport;  Rev.  VVm.  E. 
Ruston,  Fairly,  Iowa;  Wm.  H.  Staver,  Mexico;  Chas.  F.  Stocking,  Chicago; 
Bertha  C.  Bidwell,  Freeport;  Frank  C.  Fuerst,  Freeport;  Charles  Green,  at- 
torney, Freeport;  Ida  I.  Voight,  Freeport;  Charles  Bentley,  judge  of  police  court, 
Freeport ;  Oscar  Dorman,  Freeport ;  Joseph  Johnson,  Freeport ;  Dr.  Karl  F. 
Snyder,  Freeport;  Clara  Dorman,  Freeport;  Dr.  Louis  Voight,  Freeport;  Philip 
Moogk,  Sparks,  Nevada;  Dr.  R.  O.  Brown,  Forreston,  Illinois;  Rev.  Wm  B. 


456  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Stoskopf,  Chicago;  Leroy  Laird,  Cleveland,  Ohio;  Mr.  Reeve  Burton,  Free- 
port;  Dr.  Mary  Rosenstiel,  Freeport;  Olive  Runner,  Abbott  Academy,  Mas- 
sachusetts; Russell  Wiles,  attorney,  Chicago;  Roy  Bennethum,  Ziegler-Schryer 
Co.,  Freeport;  Rev.  Edward  Brown,  Los  Angeles;  Burton  Figely,  Freeport; 
Chas  Runner,  Charles  City,  Iowa;  Lancaster  Burling,  Buffalo,  New  York;  Fred 
Hanke,  Detroit;  Chester  A.  Hoefer,  Freeport;  Walter  Pfender,  Freeport; 
Charles  B.  Courtney,  attorney,  Freeport;  Professor  Edwin  Hoefer,  State  Uni- 
versity, Laramie,  Wyoming ;  Will  Stratton,  New  York  City ;  John  Daniels,  city 
engineer,  Freeport;  Al.  G.  Fleck,  Rockford;  Alfred  Hoefer,  Chicago;  Karl 
Knechr,  Evansville,  Indiana;  Boyd  Lawver,  Greenfield,  Massachusetts;  Profes- 
sor Herbert  Bonebright,  State  Agricultural  University,  Colorado;  Frank  Dippell, 
draftsman,  Chicago;  Dr.  Stewart  Litch,  Chicago;  Homer  Sheetz,  Knowlton 
Bank,  Freeport ;  James  Taggart,  Leadville,  Colorado ;  Fred  Becker,  St.  Louis, 
Missouri;  Harry  Bickenbach,  State  Bank,  Freeport;  Paul  Fair,  taxidermist, 
Raton,  New  Mexico;  Professor  George  Daniels,  Minnesota  State  Normal;  Nel- 
lie Hanley,  Washington  City ;  Iva  Swingley,  Freeport ;  Florence  Brubaker,  Free- 
port;  Clarence  Chapman,  Moline  Plow  Company,  Freeport;  Oscar  Hively,  en- 
gineer, Kansas  City;  Frank  Markel,  Portland,  Oregon;  Chas.  McCool,  drafts- 
man, Freeport;  Walter  Vautsmeier,  graduate  of  West  Point,  1910;  Harvey  An- 
gle, manufacturer,  Freeport;  Karl  Wagner,  mechanical  engineer,  Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania;  Geo.  W.  Schoeffel,  University  of  Illinois;  Harvey  Hartman, 
Freeport;  Warren  Madden,  Freeport;  Harry  McCullough,  Freeport;  Edward 
Luebbing,  Freeport ;  Walter  Nolting,  Freeport ;  Frances  Watson,  Tacoma,  Wash- 
ington ;  Henry  Zanoni,  First  National  Bank ;  Earl  Andres,  Savannah. 

In  1905  a  special  election  was  held  to  vote  on  a  proposition  to  build  a  ward 
school  on  Center  street  and  to  build  an  annex  to  the  high  school.  It  was  es- 
timated that  the  two  buildings  would  cost  about  $60,000.  The  building  propo- 
sition was  carried  by  a  large  majority,  indicating  that  an  excellent  school  spirit 
prevailed  in  Freeport.  Early  ^in  the  year  of  1906,  both  buildings  were  com- 
pleted and  opened  for  school  purposes.  The  Center  Street  school  has  eight 
rooms  and  is  one  of  the  best  school  buildings  in  the  city.  It  cost  about  $30,000. 
The  high  school  annex  contains  an  assembly  with  a  seating  capacity  of  four 
hundred,  physics,  chemistry  and  biology  laboratories,  a  music  room,  three  reci- 
tation rooms,  a  large  manual  training  room  and  a  gymnasium.  The  cost  of  the 
annex  was  about  $45,000. 

At  this  time  Hon.  August  Bergman  was  president  of  the  board  of  education, 
and  the  following  were  members :  D.  F.  Graham,  D.  B.  Breed,  J.  N.  Fleck, 
A.  E.  Hanke,  B.  P.  Hill,  C.  F.  Hildreth,  C.  A.  McNamara,  Otto  Wagner,  and 
J.  H.  Gibler.  The  building  committee  consisted  of  B.  P.  Hill,  chairman,  and 
A.  E.  Hanke,  D.  F.  Graham,  and  the  finance  committee,  D.  F.  Graham,  chair- 
man, D.  B.  Breed  and  J.  H.  Gibler. 

During  the  summer  of  1910,  extensive  improvements  were  made  at  the  East 
Freeport  school.  This  building  had  not  been  used  to  its  full  capacity  since  its 
erection  because  that  part  of  the  city  had  not  been  thickly  settled  up  with  homes. 
Recently,  however,  largely  owing  to  factory  extensions,  this  part  of  the  city  is 
building  up  rapidly  and  it  was  necessary  to  provide  more  room  at  the  East 
Freeport  school.  The  improvements  will  cost  about  $10,000. 


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HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  457 

In  recent  years  the  high  school  has  expanded  to  meet  the  demands  of  the 
times.  The  board  of  education,  supported  by  a  wholesome  public  sentiment, 
has  been  progressive  without  being  radical.  In  1904  manual  training  was  es- 
tablished in  a  small  room  in  the  high  school.  The  manual  training  movement 
in  Freeport  had  its  origin  with  Miss  Florence  Knowlton  who  donated  a  con- 
siderable equipment  to  the  high  school  in  190;..  Today  the  manual  training 
room  is  sixty  by  forty  feet,  and  is  one  of  the  best  equipped  departments  in  the 
state.  Professor  John  A.  Seefelder,  a  recognized  authority  on  manual  train- 
ing, is  in  charge  of  the  work.  In  1906,  domestic  science  and  domestic  art  were 
introduced.  This  department  has  grown  till  it  occupies  three  rooms  and  the 
work  in  cooking  and  sewing  is  unsurpassed.  One  of  the  rooms  is  a  model 
dining  room,  fully  equipped  with  linen,  china  and  mission  furniture.  In  1909 
the  board  of  education  established  a  commercial  department  in  the  high  school, 
consisting  of  a  four  years'  course  in  English,  arithmetic,  commercial  geography, 
spelling,  penmanship,  bookkeeping,  commercial  law,  typewriting  and  stenog- 
raphy. In  1909,  being  urged  by  the  Citizens'  Commercial  Association,  the  co- 
operative school  and  shop  course  was  put  into  practice,  sixteen  boys  taking  the 
course,  going  to  school  and  working  in  the  factories,  alternate  weeks,  learning 
the  machinists'  and  pattern-making  trades. 

The  high  school  has  been  on  the  accredited  list  of  the  North  Central  Asso- 
ciation of  Colleges  and  Secondary  Schools  since  1906.  More  than  sixty  gradu- 
ates are  in  higher  institutes  of  learning. 

In  public  speaking  the  high  school  has  won  an  enviable  reputation.  Be- 
ginning in  1905,  the  F.  H.  S.  debating  teams  have  defeated  Elgin  (three  times), 
Rockford  (three  times),  Dubuque  (twice),  Janesville,  Beloit,  and  Rock  Is- 
land and  has  lost  but  once  (to  Dubuque  in  1907).  In  1909  and  1910  the  team  won 
the  silver  cup  offered  by  Beloit  College,  after  winning  out  in  a  debating  league  of 
six  high  schools.  In  1905,  1909  and  1910,  the  high  school  was  represented  in 
the  State  Oratorical  Contest  at  the  University  of  Illinois,  Donald  Burrell  win- 
ning third  place  in  1909,  and  Wright  Burrell  in  1910.  In  1910,  the  school  repre- 
sented by  Wright  Burrell,  won  the  Beloit  College  Contest  in  Declamation. 

Estimated  value  of  school  property  in  the  city  of  Freeport : 

NAME   OF    SCHOOL  ESTIMATED   VALUE 

High    School    $85,000.00 

Lincoln  Avenue   43,000.00 

First    Ward    25,000.00 

Third   Ward    32,000.00 

Union    Street    35,000.00 

Center  Street  40,000.00 

River  School   20,000.00 

East    Freeport    1 5.000.00 


Total    $295,000.00 


458  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

School  census  in  Freeport,  1902-1910: 

(1902)    (1904)    (1906)    (1908)    (1910) 

Males,  between  6  and  21 ....  1872       1985       1952       1980 

Females,  between  6  and  21 . .  2017      2091       2059      2066 


Total 3877      3889      4076      401 1       4046 

It  will  be  noticed  that  the  increase  in  the  number  of  children  of  school  age 
has  not  kept  pace  at  all  with  the  increase  in  the  population  of  the  city. 

The  records  of  the  county  superintendent's  office  date  back  to  1843,  when 
Jared  Sheetz  was  school  commissioner  for  the  county.  The  first  item  is  dated 
November  18,  1843,  and  is  as  follows :  "Rec'd  of  John  Rice,  former  school  com- 
missioner of  Stephenson  county,  from  the  funds  of  1841  and  1842,  in  specie 
$315.06.  In  Illinois  State  Bank  certificates,  $133.46,  which  certificates  I  sold 
to  John  A.  Clark  March  15,  1844,  a*  SOG  on  the  dollar." 

The  commissioner  following  Mr.  Sheetz  was  L.  W.  Guiteau.  September  8, 
1879,  the  title  was  changed  to  county  superintendent  of  schools. 

The  highest  monthly  wages  in  1861  in  the  various  townships  for  male 
teachers  ran  $25,  $32,  $33,  $38,  $40,  $40,  $40,  $28,  $33,  $50,  $40,  $30,  $100,  $35, 
$35.  $33.  $40,  $40,  $35-  For  female  teachers,  $30,  $15,  $15,  $16,  $18,  $16,  $18, 

$24,  $25,  $25,  $16,  $16,  $20,  $22,  $20,  $23,  $18,  $15,  $15,  $32,  $12,  $29,  $20,  $2O. 

In  1869-70,  Superintendent  Crary  conducted  a  three-day  institute,  with  the 
following  instructors:  Richard  Edwards,  Normal.  Illinois;  Lewis  Goodrich,  Sa- 
vanna, Illinois ;  J.  N.  Blodgell,  Rockford ;  E.  D.  Leland  and  G.  G.  Alvord,  Free- 
port.  Mr.  Alvord  was  president;  S.  R.  Worrick,  secretary,  and  N.  Ford  and 
J.  Hay,  assistants.  The  instructors  received  $30.00. 

In  1871  the  institute  was  held  at  Lena,  October  20.  Prof.  E.  C.  Hewitt  was 
instructor.  Rev.  F.  Boon  and  Rev.  Geo.  Elliott,  of  Freeport,  lectured.  The 
institute  lasted  four  days  and  Dr.  Hewitt  received  $34.00. 

In  1871,  December  5,  a  four  day  institute  was  held  at  Davis.  The  instruc- 
tor was  Dr.  J.  A.  Sewall,  Normal,  and  lectures  were  given  by  L.  W.  Guiteau, 
Mr.  Aug.  Smith  and  Dr.  Sewall.  Eighty  teachers  attended  and  Dr.  Sewall  re- 
ceived $34.00.  That  year  three  of  the  county  teachers  were  graduates  of  the 
State  Normal  University.  In  1873-4,  there  was  no  county  institute. 

In  1861,  the  longest  time  any  teacher  had  taught  the  same  school  was  three 
years.  Number  in  State  Normal  School,  three. 

TOWNSHIP  TREASURERS. 

The  township  treasurers  in  1861  were  Jacob  Archer,  Loran ;  Samuel  Tyrrell, 
Plum  River;  F.  M.  Rogers,  Howardsville ;  Thomas  H.  Hicks,  Nora  P.  O. ;  J.  D. 
DeVore,  Yellow  Creek;  John  Kennedy,  Freeport;  Phil  Sweeley,  Winslow;  Con- 
rad Van  Brocklyn,  Freeport ;  James  Flansberg,  Freeport ;  James  Benson,  Cedar- 
ville;  Simon  Bartlett,  Oneco;  Frederick  D.  Bulkley,  Freeport;  Jas.  B.  Childs, 
Freeport;  Abner  B.  Clingman,  Cedarville;  Solomon  Fisher,  Rock  Grove;  D.  S. 
McKibben,  Nevada  P.  O. ;  W.  L.  Funks,  Rock  Run;  Henry  Springer,  Davis; 
Charles  Kleckner,  Davis. 


CITY    HALL,   FREEPOKT 


mm 

OF  THE 
UNIVEKSI1Y  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  459 

Lowest  monthly  wages  paid  in  1862  in  the  several  townships:  Males,  $20, 
$26,  $25,  $23,  $18,  $25,  $20,  $25,  $16,  $20,  $20,  $14,  $25,  $29,  $20,  $18,  $25,  $18, 
$16;  females,  $12,  $10,  $12,  $15,  $12,  $12,  $8,  $10,  $12,  $14,  $15,  $12,  $8,  $14, 
$15,  $13,  $12,  $13,  $11,  $14. 

In  Mr.  A.  A.  Crary's  annual  report  for  1864-5,  ne  says»  "Owing  to  the  fact 
that  most  of  our  male  teachers  were  in  the  army  it  was  thought  best  not  to  call 
an  institute  during  the  school  year  ending  September  30,  1865." 

No  institute  was  held  in  1866-67.  In  1867-8,  two  institutes,  14  days,  were 
held,  eighty-nine  teachers  out  of  two  hundred  eighty-two  attending.  In  1869-70, 
Superintendent  Crary  received  $986.24  for  his  compensation.  In  1870-71,  the 
superintendent  received  $1,297.14;  1872,  $1,422.06;  1873,  $I>456-72;  1876, 
$1,950.90. 

In  1872-3,  the  county  superintendent's  report  shows  number  of  frame  school 
houses,  eighty-six ;  brick,  thirty ;  stone,  twenty-nine ;  log,  one ;  total,  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-six.  The  log  school  was  in  township  27,  range  7. 

The  average  monthly  wages  paid  men  teachers  in  1875  was  $43.51;  women, 
$30.80.  In  1878,  the  superintendent  at  Freeport  received  $160.00  for  ten 
months;  at  Lena,  $95.00  for  nine  months. 

In  1882,  J.  Lawson  Wright,  of  Cedarville,  was  the  holder  of  a  state  certifi- 
cate, and  Cora  Carpenter,  of  Lena,  in  1883  >  1885,  Emma  Biggs,  Lena. 

Professor  David  Parsons  got  out  a  sixty-six  page,  i6mo  book,  a  kind  of 
report,  July,  1866.  The  book  contained  problems  in  arithmetic,  chemistry,  etc. 
Price,  25c. 

In  1866  Professor  Parsons  taught  the  children  in  the  high  school  to  exercise 
their  arms  and  hands  in  gesturing.  His  system  comprised  one  thousand  two 
hundred  gestures  or  distinct  motions.  A  number  of  these  were  given  in  concert 
by  the  students  and  the  audience  seemed  to  be  delighted. 

TEACHERS. 

Cyrus  Howe  taught  the  first  school  in  the  Block  School  in  Oneco  Township  in 
1847-8. 

Dr.  F.  W.  Byers,  now  of  Monroe,  Wisconsin,  taught  the  Block  School  from 
1857  to  1863  and  has  left  a  record  as  a  kind-hearted  man,  but  a  strict 
disciplinarian. 

Mr.  Adam  A.  Krape,  now  of  Lena,  Illinois,  was  many  years  a  teacher  in 
Stephenson  County.  He  was  principal  of  the  Orangeville  schools  and  of  Wins- 
low  schools,  and  became  county  superintendent  in  1877  and  continued  in  office 
till  1886. 

Miss  Elta  F.  Miner  taught  a  number  of  years  at,  or  near,  Orangeville,  and 
later  married  Rev.  F.  W.  Stump. 

Dr.  A.  C.  Schadel  was  educated  at  the  Block  School,  Freeport  High  School 
of  1866,  and  the  University  of  Wisconsin.  He  served  as  principal  of  the  Rock 
Grove  and  Orangeville  schools.  In  1870,  he  quit  teaching  and  became  a  dentist 
at  Warren,  Illinois. 

Harrison  W.  Bolender  was  one  of  the  early  teachers  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  county.  He  built  and  taught  the  Eldorado  School.  He  became  county  clerk 
in  1896,  and  died  in  1900. 


460  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Miss  Mary  E.  Cadwell  (Mrs.  Dr.  M.  E.  Bradshaw)  was  the  first  lady  to 
teach  a  winter  term  at  Eldorado.  She  attended  the  Freeport  High  School. 

Dr.  W.  W.  Krape,  of  Freeport,  was  teacher  in  the  county  for  several  years, 
quitting  that  profession  for  dentistry  in  1873.  In  1866,  he  attended  the  Free- 
port  High  School  and  then  entered  the  University  of  Wisconsin. 

Susan  B.  Fisher  (Mrs.  Geo.  W.  Shippy)  was  a  teacher  for  eighteen  years. 
She  was  educated  at  Eldorado  and  at  the  Teachers'  Training  School  at  Oregon, 
Illinois.  At  McConnell,  she  was  a  member  of  the  school  board.  She  organized 
the  domestic  science  branch  of  the  Farmers'  Institute.  Dr.  M.  M.  Baumgartner 
taught  one  year  in  the  county. 

Geo.  Moyer  is  one  of  the  old  teachers  of  the  county.  For  two  years  he 
was  principal  of  the  Orangeville  schools. 

C.  A.  Bolender  attended  school  at  the  Block  School  and  at  Leander  College, 
Toledo,  Iowa.  He  is  one  of  the  old  teachers  of  the  county. 

John  W.  Kiester,  of  Orangeville,  taught  fifteen  years  and  entered  the  R.  F.  D. 
service  of  the  United  States. 

Dr.  Anna  M.  Hinds,  of  Berlin,  Illinois,  was  born  near  Orangeville.  She 
was  educated  in  Knox  College  and  taught  in  Eldorado  and  Freeport.  Later 
she  graduated  from  Rush  Medical  College  and  is  practicing  at  Berlin,  Illinois. 

Henry  Swarts,  of  Orangeville,  was  a  teacher  forty  years  ago.  In  1869-70 
he  taught  the  Sylvan  School  in  Rock  Grove.  He  was  educated  at  the  Block 
School  and  at  the  University  of  Wisconsin  and  the  State  Normal  at  Normal. 
He  taught  till  1884. 

Charles  A.  Cadwell  taught  several  county  schools  and  was  two  years,  1871 
and  1872,  principal  of  the  Orangeville  schools.  He  received  his  education  at 
the  Block  School  and  at  the  University  of  Wisconsin.  He  is  now  a  United 
States  mail  cleric 

W.  W.  Elzler,  of  Eldorado,  was  educated  at  the  Block  School  and  at  West- 
ern College,  Toledo,  Iowa.  He  taught  successfully  many  years. 

Edwin  C.  Belknap,  educated  at  the  Block  School  and  at  the  Whitewater 
Normal,  taught  several  years  and  then  became  a  train  dispatcher. 

Addie  F.  Cadwell  (Mrs.  Addie  F.  Pugh)  received  her  education  at  Eldorado 
and  at  Monroe,  Wisconsin,  High  School.  She  taught  several  years  and  married 
Rev.  B.  F.  Pugh  in  1878. 

EARLY  TEACHERS. 


J.  F.  Kleckner  was  a  teacher  in  the  '6os  and  was  elected  county  superin- 
tendent in  1869,  holding  the  position  four  years.  In  1849-50,  Levi  L.  Munn, 
Sr.,  taught  a  school  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  In  1849,  George  Wolf 
was  a  teacher  in  the  county.  E.  R.  Mulnix  was  an  early  pedagogue. 

John  W.  Stocks  taught  from  1865  to  1866,  went  to  college  at  Mt.  Morris 
in  1866-67  and  taught  1868-1874.  Ira  Lowry,  of  Loran  Township,  was  a 
teacher  from  1846  to  1869  in  this  county  and  in  Iowa.  J.  C.  Dorn,  of  Oneco, 
taught  in  Oneco  Township  about  1845  to  1860.  Israel  G.  Wise  began  teaching 
in  Orangeville  in  1873.  Hon.  Andrew  Hinds  was  a  teacher  in  Oneco  Township 
in  1848.  Joseph  H.  Jackson  was  a  teacher  in  Buckeye  about  1850.  Mr.  R.  K. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  461 

Madden  came  to  this  county  in  1875  and  began  teaching,  which  he  continued 
for  years. 

A.  B.  Crandall  began  the  Commercial  School  at  the  corner  of  Stephenson 
and  Adams  streets  in  1879. 

COUNTY    INSTITUTES. 

In  1884,  Superintendent  A.  A.  Krape  had  S.  Y.  Gillan  and  O.  P.  Bostwick 
in  institute  work;  in  1885,  A.  R.  Sabin,  Geo.  E.  Knepper;  in  1887,  E^C.  Hewitt, 
Henry  Sabin,  Geo.  E.  Knepper,  F.  H.  McBride,  J.  H.  Hutchinson,  M.  O.  Nar- 
ramore,  C.  C.  Snyder  and  Frances  Rosebrugh. 

in  1888,  Superintendent  P.  O.  Stiver  secured  Samuel  Phelps  Leland,  Frank 
H.  Hall,  P.  R.  Walker,  J.  H.  Hutchinson,  Sara  Brooks,  G.  E.  Little,  Lottie  E. 
Jones;  in  1889,  J.  Piper,  C.  J.  Kinnie,  F.  F.  Oldt,  O.  F.  Barbour  and  C.  C. 
Snyder;  in  1890,  Geo.  Howland,  Geo.  E.  Knepper,  A.  O.  Reubelt;  in  1891,  C.  F. 
Philbrook,  Mary  E.  Holder,  E.  F.  Smith ;  in  1892,  John  W.  Cook,  M.  Quaeken- 
bush,  Miss  Bonnie  Snow,  J.  Piper,  B.  P.  Colton,  R.  W.  Burton;  in  1893,  J. 
Piper,  F.  H.  Hall,  F.  F.  Oldt,  R.  W.  Burton,  Flora  Guiteau;  in  1894,  Prof. 
Chas.  Zeublin,  F.  H.  Hall,  D.  W.  Hawk,  Flora  Guiteau,  F.  F.  Oldt,  S.  A. 
Karker. 

Superintendent  R.  W.  Burton  secured  C.  A.  McMurry  and  S.  Y.  Gillan  in 
1895;  in  1896,  J.  G.  Needham,  R.  S.  Page,  J.  E.  McGilvrey,  H.  F.  Polton;  in 
1897,  John  W.  Cook,  H.  H.  Howland,  A.  C.  Bothe,  Miss  E.  M.  Phillips,  J.  E. 
McGilvrey,  W.  F.  Skinner;  in  1898,  Jessie  Dillon,  S.  E.  Raines,  E.  A.  Fritter, 
H.  N.  Howland,  Jas.  G.  Needham,  Olive  A.  Benn;  in  1899,  Helen  Hill,  H.  N. 
Howland,  E.  A.  Fritter;  in  1900,  E.  A.  Fritter,  W.  W.  White,  E.  A.  Scrogin, 
Marie  Byrnes,  W.  H.  Dudley;  in  1901,  C.  A.  McMurry,  W.  W.  Stair,  Maude 
H.  Chamberlain,  W.  H.  Dudley;  in  1902,  E.  A.  Fritter,  M.  J.  Holmes,  Jessica 
Eades. 

In  1903,  County  Superintendent  Cyrus  Grove  secured  S.  Y.  Gillan,  F.  H. 
Hall,  R.  S.  Page,  H.  H.  Hewitt;  in  1904,  F.  H.  Hall,  Geo.  E.  Knepper;  in 
1905,  Dr.  A.  E.  Winship,  L.  C.  Lord,  H.  H.  Hewitt;  in  1906,  W.  W.  Stetson 
and  Preston  W.  Search ;  in  1907,  S.  D.  Fess  and  Philander  P.  Claxton ;  in  1908, 
M.  V.  O'Shea,  Jonathan  Rigdon,  O.  T.  Corson,  Minnie  May  Davis ;  in  1909, 
S.  C.  Schmucker,  A.  J.  Kinnerman,  and  C.  C.  Ellis ;  1910,  T.  S.  Lowden,  Fred 
Mutchler,  O.  L.  Warren  and  G.  D.  Nielson. 

THE    COUNTY    COMMENCEMENT. 

The  greater  interest  in  education  in  the  rural  schools  is  shown  by  the  in- 
crease in  the  number  of  students  which  passed  the  final  examinations:  In 
1894,  fifty;  1895,  forty-six;  1896,  forty-six;  1897,  eighty-five;  1899,  forty-five; 
1900,  twenty-three;  1901,  thirty- four;  1907,  seventy-two;  1908,  eighty-seven; 
1909,  one  hundred  and  thirty;  1910,  one  hundred  and  thirty-two. 

The  annual  County  Commencement  is  a  big  day  in  Stephenson  County,  since 
its  inauguration  by  the  County  Superintendent,  P.  O.  Stiver  in  1887.  The  ex- 
ercises are  held  in  the  assembly  room  of  the  Freeport  High  School,  and  over 


462  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

1,000  students,  teachers  and  parents  from  all  corners  of  the  county  crowd  the 
room  to  its  capacity.  Superintendent  Grove  always  secures  a  prominent  speaker 
to  address  the  graduates,  this  year  the  speaker  being  State  Superintendent  Blair. 
The  stage  was  extended  and  it  was  an  encouraging  sight  to  see  the  one  hundred 
and  thirty-four  graduates  on  the  platform.  Every  district  in  the  county  now 
bends  every  effort  to  have  a  large  representation  on  the  graduating  list. 

Mr.  Cyrus  Stover  Grove,  the  present  county  superintendent,  was  educated 
in  a  township  high  school,  academy  and  state  normal  in  Pennsylvania  and  in 
the  University  of  Wisconsin.  Before  becoming  county  superintendent,  he  had 
been  principal  of  the  Orangeville  schools  for  several  years  and  came  into  the 
office  with  years  of  practical  experience  as  a  successful  school  man  back  of  him. 
He  has  added  largely  to  the  equipment  of  the  office,  established  a  reading  room 
and  library  for  teachers,  and  an  additional  room  is  being  fixed  up  for  his  use. 
During  his  term  Mr.  Grove  has  accomplished  the  physical  and  academic  stand- 
ardization of  rural  schools,  brought  about  county  uniformity  of  text  books,  has 
established  for  the  county  the  reputation  for  having  the  best  county  institutes 
in  the  state,  and  brought  about  in  the  county  a  splendid  spirit  of  co-operation  and 
high  ideals  of  professional  service  among  the  teachers.  Mr.  Grove  in  1909  was 
president  of  the  Northern  Illinois  Teachers'  Association,  and  was  on  the  pro- 
gram of  the  State  Teachers'  Association. 

Forty  years  ago  some  teachers  were  serving  for  eight,  ten  and  twelve  dol- 
lars a  month.  While  wages  of  teachers  have  advanced  in  a  small  way,  yet  a 
few  communities  persist  in  paying  wages  that  would  seem  to  be  a  disgrace  to  any 
district. 

Average  monthly  wages  paid  teachers: 

YEAR.  MALE.  FEMALE. 

1895 $4449 $37-43 

1896 40.00 38.07 

1897 44-00 38.00 

1898 43-00 37-00 

1899 45-00 k, .    36.00 

1904 52,25 40.75 

1906 87.00 40.00 

1908 51.68 43.00 

1909 72.51 44.30 

1910 69.98 46-84 

In   1908  there  were  three  townships  paying  some  male  teachers  $30.00  or 

less,  and  five  paying  some  female  teachers  $25.00  or  less. 

In   1910  seventeen  townships  were  paying  female  teachers  $30.00  or  less, 

and  fourteen  paying  males  $40.00  or  less. 

Davis  had  a  three  year  high  school  beginning  in  1881  with  sixteen  students. 

The  enrollment  was  thirty  in  1890  and  forty-one  in   1899,  but  has  declined  of 

later  years.     The  principals  have  been :  David  Brown,  J.  Potter,  F.   P.  Fisher, 

J.  J.  Lins,  J.  F.  Thompson  and  O.  A.  Fackler. 

Cedarville  has  made  a  few  spasmodic  attempts  to  do  high  school  work.     The 

situation   is   decidedly    favorable   for   a  good    four   year   high   school    if   public 

sentiment  desires  it.     Some  excellent  work  has  been  done  in  times  past ;  some 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


463 


excellent  students  turned  out,  and  the  present  principal,  Mr.  Fletcher  McDonald, 
is  doing  satisfactory  work  in  a  two  year  course. 

The  Lena  High  School  had  sixty-five  students  in  1879;  one  hundred  and 
seven  in  1880;  ninety-one  in  1881 ;  fifty  in  1884;  sixty-four  in  1886;  seventy- 
six  in  1887;  seventy- four  in  1891;  thirty-nine  in  1894;  sixty  in  1896;  seventy- 
six  in  1898;  forty-seven  in  1900;  forty-six  in  1909;  and  fifty  in  1910.  The 
number  of  graduates  from  1897  to  1910  range  from  one  and  three  up  to  nine 
in  1880;  thirteen  in  1891 ;  seven  in  1910.  The  principals  have  been  O.  P.  Bost- 
wick,  Charles  Fardyce,  Geo.  Howell,  George  M.  Herrick,  M.  M.  Warner,  C. 
F.  Philbrook,  S.  A.  Harker,  G.  N.  Snapp,  and  M.  O.  Narramore,  J.  R.  Insman 
and  W.  R.  Bowlin. 

In  1862  there  were  five  hundred  and  eighty-five  students  in  private  schools 
in  the  county;  in  1870,  three  hundred  and  seventy-five;  in  1891,  seven  hundred 
and  thirty-two ;  in  1897,  nine  hundred ;  in  1909,  eight  hundred  and  eight. 

The  total  expense  for  public  schools  in  1896  was  about  $102,000;  in 
$134,000;  in  1900,  $144,000;  in  1908,  $148,000  and  in  1909-10,  $165,000. 


Year 
1861 

Co.  Supt. 
A  A.  Crary    . 

No. 
Schools 

.  .  141 

Atten- 
dance 

8,208 

Enumera- 

tioni 

Hale 
Feachers 

126 

Female 
Teachers 

177 

1862 

A  A  Crary    . 

..14-? 

8,677 

10,600 

IOI 

170 

186^ 

A.  A.  Crary   . 

..124 

98 

147 

1864 

A  A.  Crary   . 

..137 

7,8  1  1 

10,552 

76 

198 

1865 

A  A  Crary    . 

..171 

8647 

0,057 

QI 

169 

1866 

A  A.  Crary    • 

..172 

9,307 

IO.OI2 

103 

165 

1867 

A  A  Crary   . 

.  .177 

0,767 

IO,622 

1  02 

180 

1869—70 

176 

9261 

TT  /I/I  C 

IAC 

IOO 

ift'Trj  n\ 

1SJ 

146 

9/17,1 

II  O2O 

178 

20  ? 

I87I-2 
1872-3 
1873-4 
1874-5 

i  87  5-6 

I.  F.  Kleckner 
I.  F.  Kleckner 
I.  F.  Kleckner 
I.  F.  Kleckner 
J.  Potter    

148 
149 

156 

149 

..154 

J^t-OT- 

8,793 
8,989 

8,452 
8,141 
8,123 

11,229 
11,175 

10,812 

",255 
II,O32 

•*ou 

153 

146 
146 

139 

174 

^"3 
194 

1  88 

184 
186 

211 

1876-7 

J.  Potter 

.  .147 

8,461 

11,457 

126 

184 

1877-8 

A  A  Krape    . 

161 

8,805 

II,78l 

170 

166 

1878-0 

A  A  Krape   . 

.  .15'? 

8,692 

11,157 

125 

166 

1879-80 

A  A  Krape    • 

0,201 

1  20 

160 

1881 

A.  A  Krape    . 

.  .148 

O.T/M 

10,479 

127 

167 

1882 

A  A.  Krape    . 

.  .  141 

Q,48O 

10,487 

III 

175 

1881 

A  A  Krape    . 

.  •  1V7 

7,884 

IO,6Q4 

97 

177 

1884 

A.  A.  Krape    . 

,  .  I7Q 

7,582 

IO47O 

98 

181 

1885 

A  A.  Krape   . 

.  .170 

7,467 

IO,877 

91 

179 

1886 

A  A  Krape    . 

..178 

7,164 

IO.I47 

87 

169 

1887 

P  O.  Stiver    . 

..1-3,8 

7,187 

IO.I77 

02 

IQI 

1888 

P  O  Stiver    . 

.  .  177 

6,QI7 

IO,O7O 

85 

177 

1889 

P  O  Stiver 

177 

6827 

IOO54 

80 

184 

1890 

P  O  Stiver    . 

..176 

7,72=; 

9,867 

72 

182 

1801 

P.  O.  Stiver    . 

.  .177 

7.706 

0.805 

76 

182 

464  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

1892  P.O.  Stiver    .- 139  7,024  9,890  79  168 

1893  P.O.  Stiver    144  6,845  9,307  79  170 

1894  P.  O.  Stiver    144  7,066  9,674  79  174 

1895  R.  W.  Burton   145  7,352  9,567  86  176 

1896  R.  W.  Burton   147  6,895  9,550  75  163 

1897  R.  W.  Burton   148  6,986  9,759  75  170 

1898  R.  W.  Burton  147  7,196  10,193  84  153 

1899  R.  W.  Burton   147  7,135  10,544  78  166 

1900  R.  W.  Burton   147  7,026  9,978  67  149 

1901  R.  W.  Burton   147  6,871  9,920  76  165 

1903  C.  Grove  147  6,894  9,782  58  179 

1904  C.  Grove  147  6,978  9,829  54  186 

1905  C.  Grove  146  7,109  9,690  67  187 

1906  C.  Grove  148  7,189  9,358  50  196 

1907  C.  Grove  148  6,941  9,010  45  197 

1908  C.  Grove  149  6,920  8,862  40  '  210 

1909  C.  Grove  151  7,039  9,199  34  210 

1910  C.  Grove  151  7,038  9,039  33  212 

The  above  table  of  statistics  makes  an  interesting  study  and  shows  the  trend 

of  affairs  educational. 

The  officials  of  the  Freeport  public  schools  and  the  standing  committees  for 
the  year  1910-11  are:  Wm.  H.  Wagner,  president;  Evelyn  M.  Graham,  secre- 
tary; and  S.  E.  Raines,  superintendent. 

Teachers  and  Salaries— R.  K.  Farwell,  B.  P.  Hill,  H.  F.  Dorman. 

Building  and  Grounds— C.  F.  Hildreth,  F.  O.  Keene,  Dr.  E.  H.  Place. 

High  School— Dr.  W.  J.  Rideout,  Dr.  E.  H.  Allen,  J.  W.  Henney. 

Text  Books  and  Course  of  Study— Dr.  E.  H.  Place,  C.  F.  Hildreth,  B.  P. 
Hill. 

Finance— B.  P.  Hill,  H.  F.  Dorman,  R.  K.  Farwell. 

Printing  and  Supplies — J.  W.  Henney,  Dr.  W.  J.  Rideout,  C.  F.  Hildreth. 

Rules,  Tuition,  and  Discipline— F.  O.  Keene,  Dr.  E.  H.  Place,  Dr.  E.  H. 
Allen. 

Auditing— H.  F.  Dorman,  R.  K.  Farwell,  F.  O.  Keene. 

Commencement  and  School  Entertainments — Dr.  E.  H.  Allen,  J.  W.  Hen- 
ney, Dr.  W.  J.  Rideout. 


GLOBE  PARK   AND   CHAUTAUQUA. 

Globe  Park,  or  Krape  Park,  situated  just  beyond  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
city  limits,  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  spots  in  Illinois.  It  is  situated  in  the 
valley  of  Yellow  Creek  and  is  covered  with  grove  and  forest  trees.  Here  Yel- 
low Creek  cuts  through  the  Cincinnati  Shales,  the  gorge  and  craggy  bluffs  add- 
ing to  the  beauty  of  the  landscape. 

Dr.  W.  W.  Krape,  who  has  done  many  good  things  for  Stephenson  County, 
early  recognized  the  beauty  and  the  value  of  the  land.  He  bought  the  tract 
several  years  ago  and  has  spent  a  considerable  sum  in  beautifying  the  grounds. 


SCENE   IN   GLOBE   PARK 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSI1Y  Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  465 


THE    CHAUTAUQUA. 

For  five  years  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  W.  Krape  have  maintained  a  ten-day  Chau- 
tauqua  in  the  month  of  June.  Considering  the  difficulties  of  transportation, 
the  Chautauqua  has  been  fairly  successful.  Some  of  the  greatest  stars  of  the 
Chautauqua  platform  have  appeared  here.  Among  these  are:  Hon.  William 
Jennings  Bryan,  ex-Governor  Richard  Yates,  Mrs.  Lake,  "Billy"  Sunday,  Hon. 
James  E.  Watson,  Governor  Hoch  of  Kansas,  ex-Governor  J.  Frank  Hanley 
of  Indiana,  Kryl's  Band,  etc. 

The  park  affords  one  of  the  best  sites  for  a  big  Chautauqua  in  Illinois,  and 
some  day,  no  doubt,  such  a  Chautauqua,  drawing  10,000  to  20,000  people  daily 
with  5,000  campers,  will  be  found  there. 

FREEPORT  NEWSPAPERS. 

FREEPORT   JOURNAL. 

The  first  edition  of  the  Freeport  Journal  appeared  on  November  22,  1848, 
in  the  shape  of  a  six  column  weekly  folio.  The  promulgators  of  the  enterprise 
which  fostered  the  Journal  were  H.  G.  Grattan  and  A.  McFadden.  Mr.  Grattan 
came  to  Freeport  in  1848  from  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  where  he  had  started  the 
Janesville  Gazette,  and  having  profited  well  from  his  business  ventures  in  the 
newspaper  line  once  before,  he  was  induced  to  enter  the  field  again  in  Free- 
port.  The  original  edition,  of  which  very  few  copies  to-day  survive,  presented 
a  very  strange  appearance.  It  was  a  small  four  page  sheet,  the  first  page  being* 
devoted  to  literary  selections,  the  second  to  telegraphic  and  editorial  news,  the 
third  to  local  news  and  poetry,  and  the  fourth  to  personal  notes  and  advertising. 
Advertisements  were  also  scattered  through  the  other  pages.  A  small  notice 
at  the  head  of  the  editorial  column  informed  subscribers  that  the  price  of  sub- 
scription was  $2,  if  paid  within  six  months,  $2.50  if  paid  within  a  year,  and  $3 
if  deferred  longer  than  twelve  months.  Taken  as  a  whole,  the  make  up  of  the 
paper  was  attractive  and  satisfied  the  public  taste. 

The  first  office  was  a  tumble-down  brick  structure  which  occupied  a  lot  on 
what  is  now  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Beaver  streets,  northwest  of  the  home 
of  Judge  Ormsbee.  The  second  story  of  this  ramshackle  edifice  was  for  a  while 
occupied  by  the  infant  newspaper,  which  lived  and  thrived  there  for  nearly  a 
year  and  continued  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Whig  party.  After  leaving 
this  building,  which  threatened  to  collapse  at  any  moment,  the  office  was  in- 
stalled in  a  frame  building  on  Galena  street  between  Walnut  street  and  South 
Galena  avenue,  the  ground  floor  of  which  was  occupied  by  the  cabinet  shop  of 
A.  W.  Rice.  One  issue  was  dropped  owing  to  the  "bother"  necessitated  by  the 
operation  of  moving  and,  once  in  its  new  quarters,  the  Journal  re-commenced 
its  aggressive  career  with  renewed  vigor  and  life.  In  1849,  Mr.  Grattan  re- 
tired from  active  partnership  and  Mr.  McFadden  remained  the  sole  proprietor 
for  two  whole  years.  In  1851,  he  took  in  with  him  Hiram  M.  Sheetz.  Just 
before  this  event,  the  quarters  were  again  changed.  The  base  of  operations 


466  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

was  removed  to  a  site  north  of  the  old  court  house  in  a  dilapidated  old  wooden 
building,  which  has  long  since  ceased  to  exist.  Part  of  this  ancient  structure 
was  occupied  by  the  Journal  until  stern  necessity  forced  the  Journal  to  move  OF 
perish  in  the  general  havoc  incidental  to  the  falling  of  the  building.  In  1855,  the 
paper  moved  to  the  third  story  of  Martin's  Block  on  Stephenson  street,  between 
Van  Buren  and  Chicago,  where  it  was  located  for  the  next  nine  years. 

In  September,  1852,  owing  to  the  prosperity  of  the  little  sheet,  and  the  in- 
creased demand  for  interesting  and  readable  news,  the  paper  became  a  seven 
column  folio,  being  increased  by  the  addition  of.  one  column  per  page.  New 
fonts  of  type  were  also  purchased  and  the  whole  establishment  revived  and 
renovated.  In  comparing  the  Journal  of  1852  with  the  paper  of  to-day,  we 
are  forced  to  admit  that  the  former  was  not  "newsy,"  to  use  an  overworked  ad- 
jective, but  at  the  same  time  took  a  far  greater  and  more  energetic  interest  in 
the  politics  of  the  day.  Its  policy  was  always  Whig,  and  its  editorial  columns 
were  full  of  comments,  invective  and  exhortations  on  the  political  situation  of 
the  times.  After  the  decisive  Whig  defeat  and  the  triumph  of  the  Democratic 
party  in  1852,  the  Journal  had  very  little  to  say,  and  contented  itself  with  occa- 
sional admonitions  designed  to  prevent  a  repetition  of  the  calamity  in  the  future. 
Mr.  McFadden  left  the  business  next  year,  disposing  of  his  interest  to  Mr. 
Sheetz  on  April  15,  1853.  Mr.  Sheetz  thus  became  sole  owner  and  remained 
in  possession  until  April  25,  1856.  At  that  time  the  business  was  sold  to  C.  K. 
Judson  and  C.  W.  McClure,  who,  under  the  firm  name  of  Judson  &  McClure, 
continued  to  issue  the  paper  for  ten  years.  On  May  6,  1858,  William  T.  Tins- 
ley,  who  had  recently  been  editor  of  the  Lyons,  New  York,  Republican,  came  to 
Freeport,  and  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Journal.  He  remained  here  less 
than  a  year,  however,  and  on  March  17,  1859,  sold  out  his  interest  and  returned 
to  Lyons,  New  York. 

The  Republican  party,  as  an  institution,  was  first  formulated  in  1856  and 
from  that  time  the  Journal  embraced  its  policies.  It  cried  out  again  and  again 
through  its  columns  against  the  advance  of  negro  slavery,  repeatedly  took  its 
stand  for  the  principles  of  freedom  and  democracy  as  exemplified  in  emanci- 
pation and  union  and  uttered  bitter  words  against  the  advocates  of  secession  and 
slavery.  When  the  news  of  the  surrender  of  Fort  Sumter  was  flashed  over 
the  wires,  the  Journal  took  up  the  cause  of  the  North  and  maintained  its  stead- 
fast and  aggressive  stand  from  that  time  until  the  wires  at  last  brought  the  long 
awaited  news  of  Appomattox  Court  House  and  peace.  It  was  unflinching  in  the 
position  it  had  taken  against  slavery,  and  maintained  its  position  throughout 
the  long  struggle  with  never  a  trace  of  inconsistency  or  indecision.  In  spite  of 
war  times,  the  paper  seemed  to  thrive,  and  there  was  certainly  a  great  demand 
for  the  news.  On  April  9,  1864,  the  quarto  was  increased  to  a  folio,  and  con- 
tinued to  be  published  by  Judson  and  McClure  until  the  beginning  of  the  year 
1866.  At  that  time,  after  Judson  and  McClure  had  effectively  "held  the  fort" 
throughout  the  dark  struggle,  they  decided  to  dispose  of  their  business.  This  was 
carried  into  effect,  and  Bailey  and  Ankeny  became  the  new  proprietors.  They 
remained  in  charge  until  May  9,  of  the  same  year,  when  General  Ankeny  retired. 
The  interests  of  the  Journal  were  then  merged  with  those  of  the  North-West, 
another  newspaper  being  published  in  the  city  at  that  time,  by  General  S.  D. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  467 

Atkins.  General  Atkins  retired  from  the  North-West,  which  then  turned  over 
its  property  to  the  Journal,  and  General  Ankeny  sold  out  his  interest  in  the 
paper  to  J.  S.  McCall  and  M.  B.  Mills.  This  partnership  continued  in  effect 
until  November  of  the  same  year,  when  J.  S.  McCall  became  the  sole  proprietor. 
Mr.  McCall  made  the  second  effort  to  establish  a  daily  paper  in  addition  to  the 
weekly.  The  first  effort  had  been  made  by  Judson  and  McClure,  soon  after 
they  took  possession  of  the  paper.  But  the  financial  panic  of  1857  and  the 
non-support  of  the  townspeople,  brought  it  to  a  sudden  and  ignominious  close. 
The  daily,  which  Mr.  McCall  started,  suffered  a  like  fate.  It  was  an  excellent 
paper,  and  thoroughly  deserved  support,  but  the  Freeporters  were  slow  to  ac- 
cept innovations  and  disliked  anything  that  savored  of  a  change,  even  though 
it  might  be  for  the  better. 

After  a  somewhat  disheartening  experience  in  the  newspaper  business,  Mr. 
McCall  decided  to  quit  that  field  of  labor,  and  sold  out  to  General  Atkins,  who 
was  then  postmaster  of  Freeport  and  still  holds  that  position  of  honor.  In 
1869,  he  took  charge  and  remained  in  possession  until  June  n,  1873,  when  he 
disposed  of  his  paper  to  William  B.  Thomas,  Dwight  B.  Breed  and  Charles  R. 
Haws.  Thomas,  Breed  and  Haws  remained  as  editors  and  managers  until  May 
26,  1875,  when  Haws  sold  out  his  interest  to  General  Atkins,  and  the  firm  be- 
came Smith  D.  Atkins  &  Company.  On  the  2nd  of  September  following,  Gen- 
eral Atkins  sold  out  his  interest  to  Captain  A.  V.  Richards,  of  Galena,  and  the 
firm  became  A.  V.  Richards  and  Company.  This  concern  was  also  short-lived, 
although  it  began  the  publication  of  a  daily  newspaper  in  1882,  with  rather  more 
success  than  its  predecessors  had  attained.  In  April,  1883,  Captain  Richards 
sold  out  his  three-fourths  interest  to  Smith  Atkins,  who  again  came  into  posses- 
sion of  the  paper  and  has  since  remained  the  controlling  partner.  In  1887,  the 
paper  was  re-organized,  and  James  R.  Cowley,  city  editor,  purchased  an  inter- 
est, becoming  a  partner  with  Atkins  and  Breed.  At  that  time  the  office  occu- 
pied the  building  on  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Exchange  (then  Bridge)  streets 
which  had  been  built  for  the  purpose  by  Jacob  Kline.  In  the  fall  of  1892,  the 
office  moved  to  the  building  at  97  Chicago  street,  which  it  had  purchased.  It 
still  occupies  these  quarters,  which  are,  however,  rather  too  crowded.  The 
present  management  comprises  the  following  gentlemen:  General  Atkins,  presi- 
dent; James  R.  Cowley,  vice  president;  Dwight  B.  Breed,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer. A  daily  and  also  a  weekly  edition  is  published.  The  circulation  is  large 
and  the  Journal  is  one  of  the  most  popular,  as  well  as  the  oldest  paper  in  exist- 
ence in  the  county. 


DEUTSCHER  ANZEIGER. 

The  history  of  the  Deutscher  Anzeiger  differs  from  that  of  all  the  other  Free- 
port  newspapers,  in  that  the  periodical  has  never  changed  hands  since  its  original 
inception.  In  1853,  it  was  founded  by  William  Wagner,  Sr.,  assisted  by  his  son, 
William  H.  Wagner,  Jr.  Today  the  business  is  conducted  by  William  H.  Wag- 
ner, assisted  by  his  own  sons,  and  thus  the  ownership  of  the  paper  has  never 
been  changed.  i 


468  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  founder  of  the  Anzeiger,  William  Wagner,  was  an  evangelical  clergy- 
man, who  had  been  forced  to  emigrate  to  America  on  account  of  the  political 
upheavals  in  the  fatherland.  He  hailed  America  as  the  land  of  freedom  in 
which  one  could  say  what  he  pleased  and  speak  the  truth  without  fear  of  con- 
sequences. His  subsequent  experiences  taught  him,  alas,  that  in  America  as 
elsewhere  the  man  who  acquits  himself  conscientiously  is  in  frequent  danger. 
Mr.  Wagner  founded  the  Anzeiger  under  the  most  adverse  conditions.  Not 
only  were  the  public  to  whom  he  was  catering  adverse  to  the  starting  of  any 
new  project,  whatever  it  might  be,  but  he  was  absolutely  without  funds,  and 
had  no  previous  knowledge  of  the  art  of  printing.  His  ceaseless  energy  and 
courage  were  responsible  for  the  meager  success  which  he  presently  attained. 

As  a  starter,  he  purchased  the  presses  and  type  fonts  of  a  Galena  newspaper 
which  had  previously  suspended  publication,  and  had  them  brought  by  freight 
to  Freeport.  Then  began  the  publication  of  the  Deutscher  Anzeiger.  The  first 
edition  consisted  of  four  five-column  pages  weekly — apparently  a  very  limited 
sheet — yet  even  at  that  it  was  frequently  difficult  to  secure  the  necessary  com- 
position for  the  regular  edition.  At  that  time  it  was  impossible  to  obtain  printed 
inside  or  plate  matter,  and  practically  the  whole  of  the  paper  had  to  be  set  up 
at  the  home  office,  whose  office  forces  at  first  consisted  of  four  apprentices.  It 
was  impossible  to  think  for  a  moment  of  engaging  a  practical  compositor,  as 
the  expense  was  altogether  too  great,  and  the  four  novices,  Wilhelm  Wagner, 
Sr.,  his  son,  William  H.  Wagner,  the  German  instructor,  Air.  Knecht,  and  his 
son  Philip,  burned  the  midnight  oil  many  a  time  in  their  efforts  to  restore  the 
order  of  a  printed  page  out  of  the  chaos  of  a  case  of  type. 

At  that  time  the  printing  part  of  the  establishment  was  located  in  the  office 
of  the  Freeport  Bulletin,  on  the  third  story  of  the  Wright  Building,  on  the 
northeast  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Adams  Streets.  Early  in  1854,  the  pro- 
prietor decided  to  rent  separate  quarters,  which  should  also  contain  the  edi- 
torial rooms,  and  a  location  at  No.  8  South  Galena  Avenue  (then  Exchange 
Street)  was  secured.  At  that  time  a  hand  press  of  the  most  primitive  sort, 
which  is  still  on  exhibition  at  the  Anzeiger  office,  was  secured  and  the  proud 
and  happy  publisher  was  able  to  accomplish  the  printing  of  his  own  newspaper. 
Shortly  after  this  the  circulation  of  the  paper  had  so  increased  that  the  finances 
of  the  company  permitted  the  employment  of  a  professional  compositor.  Mr. 
Louis  Crusius  was  engaged,  and  from  that  time  on,  the  Anzeiger  never  missed 
an  issue. 

In  spite  of  increased  facilities,  the  publication  of  the  German  weekly  was  still 
attended  by  many  difficulties.  Mr.  Wagner,  in  addition  to  his  editorial  duties, 
was  also  the  pastor  of  a  rural  church,  and  found  it  necessary  to  devote  much 
of  his  time  to  his  pastoral  calls.  At  the  same  time  he  was  burdened  with  pov- 
erty, and  the  Anzeiger  was  barely  able  to  endure  the  strain.  It  is  said  that  in 
order  to  save  freight  charges  on  paper,  Mr.  Wagner  used  frequently  to  go  into 
Chicago  (free  transportation  being  furnished  him)  and  bring  out  great  bundles 
of  paper  far  too  heavy  for  a  man  to  carry.  These  he  brought  with  him  as 
baggage  and  thus  saved  unnecessary  expense.  In  spite  of  his  incessant  labors 
it  was  not  until  his  two  sons  became  old  enough  to  be  associated  with  him  in 
the  business  that  prosperity  began  to  smile  on  the  venture. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY  469 

In  the  early  part  of  1855,  having  found  the  quarters  too  small,  the  business 
was  transferred  to  the  third  story  of  the  Rosenstiel  Building,  now  93  Stephen- 
son  Street,  in  which  location  it  remained  until  November,  1857.  Occupying 
only  the  rear  half  of  the  story,  and  finding  that  space  too  contracted,  the  office 
was  removed  to  the  third  story  of  the  Child's  Building,  opposite  the  Brewster 
House.  In  February,  1859,  however,  Mr.  Wagner  was  able  to  secure  the  en- 
tire floor  of  his  former  location,  and  so  returned  to  his  old  quarters. 

In  that  year,  W.  H.  Wagner,  son  of  the  editor,  who  now  conducts  the  busi- 
ness himself,  became  proficient  enough  in  the  art  to  be  entrusted  with  the  whole 
of  the  technical  part  of  the  business.  Five  years  later  he  and  Oscar  Ziegler, 
Sr.,  brother-in-law  of  the  senior  Wagner,  became  associated  with  the  paper  as 
Wagner  &  Company,  but  Mr.  Ziegler  remained  with  the  firm  only  two  years. 

The  list  of  subscribers  increased  daily  and  another  move  became  imperative. 
The  company  transferred  its  business  to  the  Krohn  Building,  and  purchased  a 
new  cylinder  press,  but  the  situation  there  was  inconvenient,  and  soon  after  an- 
other change  of  location  was  made  to  the  John  Hoebel  Building.  This  made 
the  sixth  move  in  the  thirteen  years  of  the  paper's  existence. 

On  New  Year's  Day,  1868,  the  Anzeiger  was  doubled  in  size,  and  the  work- 
ing force  enlarged.  Five  years  later,  a  new  building  site  20  x  60  feet,  on  Chicago 
Street,  was  purchased,  and  the  Anzeiger  proceeded  to  fulfil  its  long  cherished 
hope  of  erecting  an  office  of  its  own.  The  joy  of  the  proprietors  at  moving 
into  their  own  establishment  was  indeed  somewhat  dampened  that  year  by  a 
suit  for  libel  brought  against  the  firm  by  a  certain  Mr.  Broad,  of  Freeport. 
That  Mr.  Broad  may  have  been  justified  in  his  suit  is  possible,  for  the  court 
brought  a  verdict  against  the  firm  of  Wagner  &  Company  for  the  sum  of  $263. 
It  was  not  much  in  the  face  of  the  $25,000  which  Mr.  Broad  had  asked,  but  it 
was  a  great  sum  to  the  struggling  firm  of  Wagner  &  Company.  Through  the 
generosity  of  Mr.  Wagner's  parishioners  in  the  town  of  Silver  Creek  and  a 
benefit  concert  given  by  the  German  citizens  of  the  city,  a  sufficient  sum  was 
realized  to  cover  the  debt. 

In  January,  1876,  the  size  of  the  paper  was  again  increased  and  this  time 
assumed  its  present  proportions^  On  November  26,  1877,  the  members  of  the 
firm  experienced  a  great  sorrow  in  death  of  Wilhelm  Wagner,  senior  partner 
and  founder  of  the  paper.  Early  in  1878  a  new  cylinder  press  was  purchased, 
and  Wagner  &  Company  suddenly  found  the  building  they  had  built  ten  years 
before  too  small  for  them.  A  site  on  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Galena  Streets 
was  bought  and  a  three  story  structure  built  in  1884.  This  was  occupied  until 
October,  1902,  when  the  company  removed  to  its  commodious  new  quarters 
on  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Spring  Streets.  The  present  firm  name  is  W.  H. 
Wagner  &  Sons,  the  business  being  conducted  by  William  H.  Wagner  and  his 
sons  Albert  and  Oscar.  The  new  printing  establishment  is  by  far  the  finest 
and  most  up-to-date  in  the  city.  The  company  now  makes  a  specialty  of  fine 
job  work  and  binding,  and  its  weekly  newspaper,  the  Deutscher  Anzeiger,  is 
now  the  only  German  newspaper  in  the  city.  Some  time  ago  a  small  weekly 
sheet  called  the  Sonntags  Gast  was  instituted,  but  has  since  been  discontinued. 
The  subscription  list  of  the  Anzeiger  has  not  grown  of  late  years  to  any  great 
extent,  for  the  use  of  the  German  tongue  in  Freeport  is  becoming  less  each  year. 


470  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  high  standard  of  the  paper,  however,  is  maintained,  and,  even  in  the  face 
of  existing  conditions  the  periodical  has  a  long  lease  of  life  before  it. 


THE  NATIONAL  SWINE  MAGAZINE. 

The  National  Swine  Magazine  was  launched  about  seven  years  ago.  It  is 
devoted  exclusively  to  swine  raising.  A  year  and  a  half  ago  it  was  bought  by 
the  W.  H.  Wagner  &  Sons  Company  of  Freeport,  under  whose  control  the  paper 
has  improved  in  quality  and  circulation.  The  editor  is  Mr.  Amos  Burhenz,  a 
practical  farmer,  of  Waterville,  Minnesota.  The  writers  for  the  magazine  are 
all  practical  farmers  or  professors  in  agricultural  colleges.  The  circulation  now 
is  about  17,000,  having  increased  100  per  cent  since  acquired  by  the  W.  H.  Wag- 
ner Company. 

FREEPORT  BULLETIN. 
1 

The  Freeport  Bulletin,  under  its  present  name,  dates  back  to  July,  1853,  but 
in  reality  it  had  its  birth  six  years  earlier  in  the  shape  of  a  tiny  pioneer  sheet, 
known  as  the  Prairie  Democrat,  which  was  the  first  newspaper  to  make  its  ap- 
pearance in  Freeport.  In  1847  Freeport  was  a  growing  settlement  of  about 
the  same  proportions  as  the  Lena  of  today.  In  a  town  of  that  size  there  was  a 
natural  demand  for  a  newspaper,  and  this  growing  need  was  one  reason  for  the 
founding  of  the  Prairie  Democrat.  The  other,  and  more  vital  cause,  was 
found  in  the  fact  that  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Turner,  who  represented  this  district  in 
Congress,  wished  to  gain  control  of  a  periodical  through  whose  editorial  col- 
umns he  could  speak,  and  express  his  opinions  upon  the  various  subjects  then 
agitating  the  body  politic.  With  this  end  in  view,  he  founded  the  Prairie  Dem- 
ocrat, and  secured  the  services  of  S.  D.  Carpenter  to  direct  the  business  end  of 
the  venture.  In  November,  1847,  the  first  issue  of  the  paper  was  published. 

When  the  Prairie  Democrat  was  first  launched  forth  upon  its  mission,  the 
number  of  store  and  office  buildings  in  Freeport  was  few.  At  first  a  room  was 
secured  in  the  old  court  house  building,  and  the  business  of  the  paper  conducted 
there.  But  the  stay  of  the  Democrat  in  the  court  house  building  was  of  short 
duration.  It  subsequently  removed  to  a  frame  building  on  the  corner  of  Ga- 
lena and  Chicago  Streets,  where  it  remained  during  Mr.  Carpenter's  adminis- 
tration of  affairs. 

For  three  years,  Mr.  Carpenter  continued  to  fill  his  dual  role  of  editor  and 
manager,  and  then  apparently  became  wearied  of  so  thankless  a  position.  He 
left  the  business,  and  turned  over  his  interest  to  J.  O.  P.  Burnside,  who  there- 
upon took  charge.  Mr.  Burnside's  introduction  into  the  affairs  of  the  paper 
does  not  seem  to  have  caused  any  material  change  in  its  political  attitude  or  even 
its  make-up  and  general  appearance.  He  moved  the  place  of  publication  from 
the  old  stand  to  the  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Chicago  Streets.  Here  he  pub- 
lished the  paper  for  two  years,  and  under  his  efficient  administration  it  contin- 
ued to  thrive,  in  spite  of  the  appearance  of  a  new  rival  in  the  field  in  the  shape 
of  the  Freeport  Journal.  In  1852  he  disposed  of  the  Prairie  Democrat  to  George 
P.  Ordway,  who  ran  it  for  a  year  and  then  re-sold  it  to  Mr.  Burnside. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  471 

When  Mr.  Burnside  took  possession  of  the  paper  for  a  second  time  he  real- 
ized that  a  complete  reorganization  was  necessary.  The  appurtenances  of  the 
office  were  "decrepit  with  age,"  and  the  type  and  cases  were  utterly  unfit  for 
use.  They  were  accordingly  replaced  with  new  materials,  and  in  July,  1853, 
the  Prairie  Democrat,  re-christened  the  Freeport  Bulletin,  commenced  publica- 
tion, after  a  short  interval,  as  a  weekly  paper.  The  Bulletin  catered  to  Demo- 
cratic readers,  of  which  there  has  always  been  a  preponderance  in  Freeport,  and 
steadily  grew  in  strength. 

Mr.  Burnside  was  in  time  succeeded  by  Bagg  &  Brawley,  who  remained  in 
charge  for  a  brief  period  and  sold  out  to  Giles  &  Scroggs  in  1861.  In  1864  Mr. 
Giles  sold  out  his  interest  in  the  business  to  Mr.  Scroggs  and  that  gentleman  con- 
tinued as  sole  proprietor  for  five  years.  In  1869,  Mr.  Giles  bought  the  whole 
business  and  continued  to  publish  the  Bulletin  himself  for  seven  years.  During 
Mr.  Giles'  editorship  the  paper  increased  in  subscription  and  authority  through 
this  section  of  the  country,  and  came  ultimately  to  be  regarded  as  the  true  index 
of  Jeffersonian  democracy  in  northern  Illinois. 

On  the  second  day  of  January,  1873,  Mr.  Giles  relinquished  his  hold,  and 
announced  that  the  office  had  been  disposed  of  to  Taylor  &  Aspinwall,  who  would 
henceforth  conduct  the  business.  The  alleged  buyers  never  gained  possession, 
but  instead  the  business  was  turned  over  to  C.  C.  Schuler,  of  Freeport,  and  J. 
W.  Potter,  formerly  editor  of  the  Bolivar  (Missouri)  Herald.  These  gentle- 
men took  charge  of  the  enterprise  on  January  16,  1873,  but  not  until  June  19 
of  that  year  did  the  paper  appear  in  its  "new  dress."  New  type  fonts  were  pur- 
chased and  the  appliances  of  the  establishment  were  renewed  and  repaired.  The 
partnership  of  Schuler  &  Potter  continued  for  over  a  year,  and  then,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1874,  Mr.  Schuler  sold  out  his  interest  to  Mr.  Potter,  bade  farewell  to  the 
patrons  of  the  Bulletin  and  departed  to  engage  in  the  banking  business  in  Iowa. 
Iowa. 

On  September  18,  1877,  the  first  issue  of  the  Freeport  Daily  Bulletin  appeared, 
with  the  editorial  departments  in  charge  of  F.  Chas.  Donohue  and  O.  F.  Potter. 
For  some  time  the  Bulletin  and  the  Daily  Herald,  a  publication  which  has  long 
since  been  discontinued,  continued  to  be  the  only  daily  papers  in  Freeport.  Very 
soon  the  Journal  became  a  daily  publication  and  subsequently  other  rivals  entered 
the  field.  The  Bulletin,  however,  still  retains  the  honor  of  being  the  oldest  Free- 
port  daily  newspaper  still  in  existence. 

On  the  23d  day  of  May,  1885,  Mr.  J.  W.  Potter's  very  busy  life  was  closed, 
and  his  son,  O.  F.  Potter  succeeded  to  the  management  of  the  business.  Mr. 
Potter,  Jr.,  continued  in  charge  for  ten  years,  and  sold  out  his  interest,  afterward 
returning  to  take  charge  of  the  editorial  department  of  the  paper. 

In  1895  "Messrs.  H.  Poffenberger,  P.  O.  Stiver  and  H.  F.  Rockey  came  into 
possession  and  conducted  the  paper  for  a  number  of  years.  Mr.  Rockey  soon 
retired  from  the  business  and  the  firm  became  Poffenberger  &  Stiver,  which  it 
still  remains. 

The  office  of  the  printing  establishment  is  located  at  No.  99  Chicago  Street. 
Both  a  daily  and  a  weekly  edition  are  printed.  The  subscription  of  the  daily  is 
held  to  be  the  largest  of  any  paper  in  the  city  at  present,  and  it  is  doubtless  the 
case,  for  the  Freeport  Bulletin  is  the  only  democratic  newspaper  in  the  city 


472  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

which  is  printed  in  the  English  tongue.  The  Deutscher  Anzeiger  adheres  to 
the  Democratic  party,  but  is  printed  almost  entirely  in  German,  the  editorial 
department  of  course  printing  its  editorials  in  that  language.  In  view  of  this 
fact  the  Bulletin  is  to  all  practical  intents  and  purposes  the  only  Democratic 
newspaper  in  the  city  today.  It  has  always  steadfastly  adhered  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  Democracy,  and  from  the  establishment  of  the  Prairie  Democrat  in 
1847  nas  constantly  taken  a  forceful  and  aggressive  stand  in  every  election, 
whether  national,  state,  or  municipal.  It  is  enjoying  a  deservedly  wide  popu- 
larity and  is  one  of  the  leading  newspapers  in  this  section  of  the  state. 

FREEPORT  STANDARD. 

The  Freeport  Standard  is  Freeport's  youngest  newspaper,  and  concerning 
its  life  history  there  is  not  much  to  be  said.  It  was  the  direct  outgrowth  of  the 
Freeport  Democrat,  which  dissolved  and  passed  into  the  hands  of  W.  W.  Krape. 

Mr.  Krape  was  a  man  of  influence  in  the  community  and  had  long  wished 
that  he  might  be  able  to  express  his  personal  and  political  views  through  the 
editorial  columns  of  a  newspaper.  When  the  Freeport  Democrat  was  offered 
to  him,  he  immediately  seized  the  opportunity  to  possess  himself  of  the  long  de- 
sired medium.  In  addition  to  this,  he  wanted  a  job  office  where  he  might  print 
the  numerous  publications  and  pamphlets  of  the  Knights  of  the  Globe,  and  the 
Cosmopolitan  Insurance  Company,  of  both  of  which  organizations  he  was  head. 

Having  had  no  previous  experience  in  the  newspaper  business,  Mr.  Krape 
was  at  a  loss  as  to  what  course  he  should  pursue  and  was  glad  to  entrust  thef 
technical  end  of  the  business  to  competent  and  able  workmen  who  had  been 
associated  with  the  Freeport  Democrat  under  Mr.  Donohue's  management. 

The  first  place  of  publication  was  in  the  old  Democrat  office,  but  quarters 
were  cramped  there,  and  a  move  was  soon  made  to  the  old  post-office  building, 
on  the  corner  of  Van  Buren  and  Exchange  streets.  But  these  quarters  were 
also  uncomfortable  and  unsatisfactory,  and  Mr.  Krape  decided  to  move  his 
newspaper  to  its  present  location  on  Stephenson  street,  across  from  the  court 
house. 

In  December,  1909,  Mr.  Krape,  having  tired  of  his  experiment,  disposed 
of  the  business  to  Mayor  W.  T.  Rawleigh,  who  is  now  sole  editor  and  manager. 
The  office  is  still  maintained  on  Stephenson  street,  between  Van  Buren  street 
and  South  Gelena  avenue.  There  is  a  job  office  in  connection  which  does  a 
limited  business. 

The  Freeport  Standard  is  Republican  in  its  politics  and  has  always  main- 
tained an  unusually  aggressive  stand  on  all  questions  of  municipal  and  state 
politics.  There  is  a  large  circulation,  many  of  the  subscribers  of  the  Democrat, 
as  well  as  many  Republican  citizens  having  enlisted  as  subscribers  for  the 
Standard. 

DEAD    NEWSPAPERS. 

There  have  been,  in  the  annals  of  Freeport,  a  number  of  newspapers,  whose 
careers  have  terminated  either  in  financial  failure,  or  by  combination  with  other 
organs.  The  number  of  these  is  surprisingly  large,  especially  the  number  of 


COSMOPOLITAN  KI'ILDIXG 


OF  THE 
UNIVEKiilTY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  473 

German  newspapers,  and  while  they  have  lost  all  significance  as  far  as  the  Free- 
port  press  of  to-day  is  concerned,  still  some  brief  mention  is  due  these  unhappy 
periodicals  who  found  themselves  swallowed  up  in  the  maelstrom  of  business 
competition,  or  otherwise  unable  to  withstand  the  stress  of  circumstances. 

Freeport  Tribun.  The  Tribun  was  a  German  weekly  founded  in  the  middle 
of  March,  1859.  The  editor  was  William  Massenberg,  and  the  paper  sought 
to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Republican  party  among  the  German  citizens. 
But  the  number  of  German  Republicans  has  always  been  few  in  Freeport  and 
Stephenson  county,  and  after  a  year  of  unsatisfactory  labor,  the  Tribun  retired 
from  the  field  of  activity.  All  files  or  record  of  its  existence  are  entirely  lost 
and  nothing  remains  to  tell  the  tale  of  its  demise. 

The  North-West.  The  publication  of  the  ill-fated  North-West  was  begun 
on  August  17,  1865.  It  was  a  paper  purely  literary  in  character,  and  took  no 
stand  in  politics.  As  the  original  promulgators,  W.  O.  Wright  and  T.  Ormsby, 
observed,  in  stating  their  aim,  the  North-West  desired  to  become  "a  publication 
observed,  in  stating  their  aim,  the  North-West  desired  to  become  "a  publication, 
the  columns  of  which,  comparatively  free  from  politics,  entirely  free  from  per- 
sonalities, scandals,  disgusting,  obscene,  and  immoral  advertisements,  would 
offer  inducements  to  writers  of  merit  for  contributions  that  could  be  read  in 
the  family  circle  by  parents  and  children." 

For  six  months  Messrs.  Wright  and  Ormsby,  under  the  firm  name  of  Wright 
&  Co.,  conducted  the  North-West.  They  then  disposed  of  it  to  Atkins  and  Mc- 
Call.  The  office  and  job  rooms  of  the  North-West  were  located  at  104,  106  and 
108  Stephenson  street,  where  the  business  was  conducted  by  Atkins  and  McCall 
until  April  5,  1886.  M.  B.  Mills  then  became  a  partner  in  the  firm  and  its  re- 
sponsible head.  This  arrangement  lasted  scarcely  a  month  and  the  paper  was 
then  combined  with  the  Journal.  The  title  was  changed  to  the  "North-West,  a 
Weekly  Journal  of  Western  Literature."  The  paper  was  materially  improved 
and  enlarged,  but  did  not  meet  with  approval.  The  Freeporters  of  that  day  and 
generation  looked  with  disapproval,  if  not  absolute  scorn,  on  such  an  undertak- 
ing as  the  North-West  was  struggling  to  promote.  No  one  would  subscribe,  and 
the  editors  regretfully  stopped  the  publication  and  tried  to  forget  the  incident. 
When  the  North-West  was  abandoned,  it  had  been  in  existence  for  less  than  two 
years.  The  job  office  was  consolidated  with  that  of  the  Freeport  Journal,  and 
the  various  printing  appurtenances  were  sold  to  that  paper.  The  North-West 
was  a  project  that  had  deserved  better  success,  but  there  was  no  demand  for 
it,  and  the  very  founding  had  been  ill-advised.  The  files  of  the  paper  have 
not  been  preserved  in  entirety,  and  the  whole  affair  is  now  a  matter  of  the  dim 
past. 

The  Freie  Presse,  establishd  nine  years  after  the  Tribun,  was  in  a  certain 
sense  an  attempt  at  a  resuscitation  of  that  paper.  It  was  fostered  by  different 
individuals,  but  its  whole  purpose  was  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  Republi- 
can party.  William  Caspar  Schultz,  and  Christian  Mueller,  who  were  editors 
of  the  publication,  continued  their  work  for  nearly  a  year.  But  they  saw  the 
utter  hopelessness  of  their  task  and  resigned  to  fate.  All  records  of  the  Freie 
Presse  have  been  long  since  lost. 


474  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  Freeport  Budget  was  a  Republican  newspaper,  founded  in  May,  1873, 
under  the  direction  of  Dr.  K.  T.  Stabeck,  of  Davis.  It  commenced  publication 
as  a  weekly  seven  column  folio  with  a  subscription  of  only  one  hundred  and 
fifty.  In  fact,  the  outlook  was  not  encouraging  and  the  editor  of  the  Budget 
was  working  against  heavy  odds.  Dr.  Stabeck  had  cherished  a  fond  hope  that 
he  might  continue  to  practice  medicine  and  conduct  the  affairs  of  the  Budget 
at  the  same  time,  but  a  very  brief  experience  taught  him  that  such  a  thing  was 
impossible.  For  a  while  he  continued  to  have  his  editorial  office  at  Davis  and 
the  paper  was  known  as  the  Budget  of  Freeport  and  Davis,  two  editions  being 
printed.  The  printing  and  typesetting  was  done  in  Freeport  until  the  fall  of 
1874,  when  Dr.  Stabeck  purchased  the  necessary  appliances,  moved  them  to 
Davis,  and  there  set  up  in  buisness  as  publisher  as  well  as  editor. 

The  Budget  became,  of  course,  more  closely  a  Davis  publication,  although  not 
so  intended.  In  the  spring  of  1875,  K.  C.  Stabeck,  a  brother  of  Dr.  Stabeck, 
became  associated  with  him  in  the  business  and  the  doctor  went  to  Europe  for 
a  vacation  of  two  years.  On  his  return  in  1877,  the  Budget  was  removed  to 
Freeport,  where  Dr.  Stabeck  took  charge,  and  his  brother  continued  to  issue  the 
Davis  Budget  as  a  separate  publication.  Dr.  Stabeck  purchased  the  Monitor, 
a  Freeport  weekly,  and  A.  Keeler  became  associated  with  him  in  the  business 
for  a  short  time.  This  partnership  was  brief.  In  1878,  Mr.  Keeler  was  sue 
ceeded  by  Charles  R.  Haws.  In  the  following  fall,  he  too  left,  and  Dr.  Stabeck 
assumed  sole  control  and  responsibility.  At  the  same  time  his  brother,  K.  C. 
Stabeck,  discontinued  the  Davis  Budget,  and  took  up  the  practice  of  law.  In 
the  following  spring,  Dr.  Stabeck  sold  out  to  General  Atkins,  but  retained  his 
editorial  connection  with  the  paper,  and  took  charge  of  the  local  columns.  A 
relative,  Thurston  Stabeck,  of  Winnebago  County,  acted  as  his  assistant.  This 
triumvirate  remained  in  charge  for  nearly  two  years,  when  Dr.  Stabeck  dissolved 
his  connection  with  the  paper,  and  it  became  the 

Freeport  Republican,  under  the  sole  control  of  General  Atkins.  In  1882,  it 
was  merged  with  the  Freeport  Journal,  and  the  career  of  the  two  newspapers  was 
at  an  end. 

The  Monitor  was  a  weekly  record  of  current  events,  local,  state  and  national, 
established  January,  1874,  by  W.  T.  Giles.  Democratic  as  to  politics,  and  of 
temperance  proclivities,  the  Monitor  was  a  bright,  newsy,  little  sheet,  and  was 
well  received  by  the  community.  The  office  of  the  publication  was  at  first  in 
the  Hettinger  block,  but  was  later  removed  to  the  Grange  building.  The  Moni- 
tor flourished  for  nearly  four  years,  and  finally  disappeared  from  view,  swal- 
lowed up  in  the  Freeport  Budget. 

The  Nord  Westliche  Post  was  born  in  1875  and  died  within  a  year.  It  was 
founded  by  one  F.  Krumme,  who  cherished  the  conviction  that  a  German  news- 
paper of  independent  politics  would  flourish  on  Freeport  soil.  A  very  brief  ex- 
perience convinced  him  of  the  utter  impossibility  of  any  such  venture,  and  he  re- 
moved to  Lake  City,  and  later  La  Crosse.  Meeting  with  no  success  at  any  place, 
he  abandoned  the  project  in  disgust.  The  experiment  is  now  almost  forgotten. 

The  Daily  Herald  did  not  mark  the  first  attempt  at  establishing  a  daily  news- 
paper in  Freeport,  for  the  Journal  had  entered  the  field,  as  early  as  1857.  It  did, 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY  475 

however,  mark  the  first  effective  attempt,  and  while,  short-lived  itself,  it  led  to 
better  things. 

It  came  to  life  on  April  30,  1877,  under  the  management  of  Ernest  Seitz  and 
A.  H.  S.  Perkins.  Mr.  Perkins  occupancy  of  the  editorial  position  was  short, 
however,  and  after  only  a  few  weeks  of  management,  he  resigned.  He  was 
succeeded  by  F.  Charles  Donohue,  who  took  the  paper  in  hand  and  made  of  it 
a  success.  He  became  local  editor  of  the  sheet,  and  succeeded  in  developing  it 
wonderfully,  both  financially  and  in  a  literary  sense.  At  the  end  of  two  pros- 
perous years,  he  resigned  his  position  to  William  F.  Gore,  a  Chicago  journalist, 
and  went  to  accept  a  more  lucrative  position  with  the  Freeport  Bulletin.  Mr. 
Gore's  experience  in  Freeport  was  brief,  and  another  Chicago  newspaper  man, 
by  name  Charles  Vickenstaff  Hine,  came  to  fill  his  place.  Soon  after  James  C. 
McGrath  became  interested  in  the  venture  and  the  firm  became  Hine,  Seitz  and 
McGrath. 

The  Daily  Herald  was  of  independent  political  proclivities  until  1880,  when 
it  espoused  the  cause  of  Republicanism.  In  doing  so,  it  sounded  its  death  knell. 
Too  weak  to  compete  with  the  other  papers,  it  had  nevertheless  served  a  good 
cause,  and  when  it  discontinued  publication  a  short  time  later,  a  daily  paper  had 
become  a  matter-of-fact  necessity  in  Freeport. 

Freeport  Banner.  The  Banner  was  the  last  German  newspaper  to  be  estab- 
lished in  Freeport,  and  only  later  has  it  been  dropped.  It  made  its  first  appear- 
ance in  July,  1879,  edited  by  H.  W.  Frick. 

Mr.  Frick  soon  removed  to  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  and  was  succeeded  in  the 
work  by  his  brother,  Charles  W.  Frick,  who  continued  to  edit  the  paper  up  to 
the  time  of  its  demise.  The  printing  office  was  first  housed  in  a  two  story  brick 
building  on  Chicago  street,  was  later  removed  to  Stephenson  street,  then  to  the 
second  and  third  stories  of  the  T.  K.  Best  building,  and  finally  to  the  location 
on  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Exchange  streets,  which  is  still  occupied  by  Prick's 
printery.  The  Banner  was  a  seven  column  weekly  folio  of  German  proclivities. 
A  weekly  sheet  was  also  published  known  as  the  "Sonntags-Blatt."  The  pub- 
lication of  both  of  these  was  discontinued  in  1906,  four  years  ago,  and  Mr.  Frick 
has  since  maintained  exclusively  a  job  work  establishment. 

The  Freeport  Democrat.  W.  T.  Giles,  who  had  been  sponsor  of  so  many 
Freeport  papers,  became  also  the  founder  of  the  Freeport  Daily  Democrat.  For 
five  years  he  conducted  the  business,  and  then,  in  1887,  sold  it  to  F.  Charles 
Donohue,  who  was  for  many  years  one  of  Freeport's  most  prominent  journal- 
ists. Mr.  Donohue  continued  to  run  the  Democrat  for  nearly  twenty  years  in  the 
building  on  East  Stephenson  street,  now  occupied  by  the  King's  Daughters  Set- 
tlement Home.  In  1905,  the  business  was  discontinued,  and  sold  to  W.  W. 
Krape  &  Co.,  becoming  merged  into  the  Freeport  Standard.  Mr.  Donohue  then 
accepted  a  position  with  the  Freeport  Bulletin,  but  his  health  failed  and  he  died 
shortly  after.  The  Democrat  was  one  of  the  brightest  and  best  newspapers  in 
the  city,  when  it  was  founded,  and  the  discontinuance  of  the  paper  was  deeply 
regretted  by  the  large  list  of  subscribers.  Although  only  in  existence  for  a  short 
time,  it  will  long  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  most  up-to-date  newspapers  which 
Freeport  has  ever  entertained. 


476  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  Freeport  Wide  Awake  was  a  four  page  campaign  paper,  published  every 
Saturday  during  the  campaign  of  1860,  "in  advocacy  of  the  election  of  Lin- 
coln and  Hamlin,"  by  Hulburt  &  Ingersoll. 

The  Wide  Awakes  had  a  torch-light  procession  September  29,  1860,  three 
hundred  and  fifteen  carrying  torches. 

CITY    EDITORS. 

At  the  head  of  Freeport's  three  daily  and  weekly  newspapers  are  three  very 
competent  city  editors.  The  oldest  in  the  service  and  one  of  the  ablest  writers  of 
Northern  Illinois  is  Mr.  O.  F.  Potter,  of  the  Freeport  Bulletin. 

Mr.  Thomas  Lawless,  of  the  Standard,  is  a  newspaper  man  of  rare  ability 
and  is  an  adept  at  finding  out  the  news,  and  in  preparing  and  arranging  it  in 
an  attractive  manner  for  the  public. 

Mr.  N.  T.  Cobb,  who  came  here  from  North  Carolina  a  few  years  ago,  is 
city  editor  of  the  Journal.  In  a  short  time  he  has  become  familiar  with  both 
the  business  and  editorial  departments  of  the  Journal.  He  is  a  man  of  brilliant 
ability,  a  tireless  worker  and  possesses  the  talents  of  a  natural  newspaper  man. 

Hon.  Stephen  Rigney,  representative  from  this  county  in  the  last  state  legis- 
lature, is  one  of  the  well  to  do  farmers  of  the  county.  He  is  an  intelligent  and 
upright  citizen,  and  made  a  record  for  himself  in  the  legislature  that  is  gratify- 
ing to  his  friends  and  to  the  entire  county.  By  unquestionable  integrity  and 
fidelity  to  his  trust,  he  has  won  the  title  of  "Honest  Steve  Rigney/'  at  a  time 
when  the  corruption  of  the  legislature  has  dragged  into  the  mire  of  disgrace. 

For  thirty-one  years  Fire  Chief  Rodemeyer  has  been  connjected  with  the 
Freeport  fire  department.  From  the  bottom  to  the  top,  he  has  worked  his  way 
up  by  merit  and  has  always  been  a  brave  and  competent  fire  fighter.  The  effici- 
ency of  the  fire  department  has  never  been  questioned.  Chief  Rodemeyer  was 
first  appointed  chief  in  1883. 

FRATERNAL  ORGANIZATIONS. 

G.   A.   R. 

Although  the  order  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  organized  in  the 
state  of  Illinois,  and  as  early  as  1866,  yet  Freeport  did  not  have  its  post  until 
twenty-nine  years  ago  in  1881.  To  Dr.  B.  F.  Stephenson,  of  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, belongs  the  honor  of  suggesting  the  formation  of  this  union  of  veteran 
soldiers  and  of  launching  the  organization  into  existence.  The  first  objects  of 
the  association  were  to  afford  assistance  to  disabled  and  unemployed  veterans 
of  the  war.  Dr.  Stephenson,  who  had  been  a  surgeon  in  a  volunteer  regiment 
during  the  war,  was  firmly  convinced  that  an  organization  of  the  returned  sol- 
diers, for  mutual  benefit,  was  imperatively  needed.  A  ritual  was  drafted  under 
his  supervision  and  the  first  post  of  the  order  was  established  at  Decatur,  Illi- 
nois. Other  posts  were  soon  mustered  throughout  Illinois  and  other  states, 
and  the  first  department  convention  was  held  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  July  12, 
1866.  General  John  M.  Palmer  was  there  elected  department  commander.  The 
first  national  convention  was  held  at  Indianapolis  on  November  20  following,  and 


STEI'HENSON  COUNTY  COURTHOUSE 
Dec-orated  for  G.  A.  R.  Encampment 


G.   A.   II.   LODGE   KOOMS    IN   CITY    HALL 

Taken  During  the  State  Encampment.  1!UO 


LIBRARY 
OF  THE 

UF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  477 

representatives  from  eleven  states  were  present.  During  the  year  1867  the  or- 
der spread  rapidly  and  has  grown  since  until  now  every  city,  town,  village  and 
hamlet  has  its  G.  A.  R.  Post. 

The  second  national  convention  was  held  at  Philadelphia  in  1868,  only  two 
years  after  the  founding  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  even  in  that  brief  space  of  time, 
the  order  had  grown  to  national  proportions  and  was  in  a  very  nourishing  con- 
dition. In  that  year  the  first  observation  of  May  3Oth  as  a  Memorial  Day  by 
the  Grand  Army  was  ordered,  and  on  May  II,  1870,  May  3Oth  was  fixed  upon 
for  the  annual  observance  by  an  article  adopted  as  part  of  the  rules  and  regula- 
tions of  the  order. 

In  1868  came  an  unfortunate  decline  which  nearly  resulted  in  the  abandon- 
ment of  the  order.  An  idea  that  the  G.  A.  R.  was  a  political  organization 
gained  currency  in  some  inexplicable  manner,  and  a  decrease  in  membership  im- 
mediately took  place.  Many  of  the  men  who  had  been  most  enthusiastic  sup- 
porters and  members  became  disgusted  and  left  the  organization.  This  was 
particularly  notable  in  the  west,  where  an  almost  complete  disruption  of  the 
order  occurred.  In  May,  1869,  an  effort  was  made  to  introduce  measures  mak- 
ing the  G.  A.  R.  more  like  a  lodge  in  organization.  Three  degrees  of  member- 
ship were  instituted,  but  this  move  met  with  instant  and  widespread  disapproval, 
and  two  years  later,  in  1871,  all  sections  providing  for  degrees  or  ranks  among 
members  were  stricken  from  the  rules.  At  the  same  time  a  rule  was  adopted 
prohibiting  the  use  of  the  organization  for  any  partisan  purpose  whatsoever,  a 
rule  which  has  since  been  strictly  followed. 

John  A.  Davis  Post  of  Freeport  was  organized  in  Freeport  on  July  5,  1881, 
taking  its  name  from  Colonel  John  A.  Davis,  the  gallant  commander  of  the 
Forty-sixth. 

The  naming  of  the  post  after  the  brave  soldier  who  lost  his  life  in  the  early 
part  of  the  war  was  in  every  sense  appropriate,  for  John  A.  Davis  was  not  only 
one  of  the  bravest  hearts  that  ever  donned  a  blue  uniform,  but  he  was  also  one 
of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Stephenson  County,  and  his  father  and  brother  were 
intimately  connected  with  the  early  history  of  Rock  Run  Township.     He  and 
his  brother  founded  the  present  village  of  Davis,  establishing  a  small  general 
store  which  came  to  be  called  "The  Davis  Store"  and  formed  the  nucleus  for 
the  present  group  of  stores  and  houses.     While  engaged  in  this  business  the 
war  broke  out  and  John  Davis  was  one  of  the  first  to  volunteer.     He  was  chosen 
captain  of  Company  B  and  later  colonel  of  the  Forty-sixth  Regiment,  in  which 
there  were  five  companies  from  Stephenson  County.     After  leaving  for  the  war 
he  did  not  return  to  his  home  until  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  in  which  he  was 
seriously  wounded.     He  returned  to  the  war  a  second  time,  against  the  advice 
and  persuasion  of  friends  and  family,  and  especially  the  members  of  his  politi- 
cal party,  who  wished  to  send'  him  to  Congress.     Hardly  had  he  set  foot  upon 
the  battlefield  when  he  fell  a  victim  at  the  battle  of  Hatchie,  on  October  5th, 
1862.    He  died  soon  after  at  Bolivar,  Tennessee,  calm,  brave,  and  self-possessed 
to  the  last.     His  remains  were  brought  to  Freeport  and  the  funeral  held  in  the 
First  Presbyterian  church  under  the  direction  of  Chaplain  Teed. 

Forty-six  men  were  mustered  into  the  organization  which   takes  his  name. 
Colonel  Sherburne  of  Chicago  and  Assistant  Adjutant  General  Bennett  were 


478  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

present  at  this  organization,  which  was  effected  in  accordance  with  the  objects  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  which  are:  . 

1.  To  preserve  and  strengthen  those  kind  and  fraternal  feelings  which  bind 
together  the  soldiers,  sailors  and  marines,  who  united  to  suppress  the  late  rebel- 
lion. 

2.  To  assist  such  former  comrades  in  arms  as  need  help  and  protection ; 
and  to  extend  needful  aid  to  the  widows  and  orphans  of  those  who  have  fallen. 

3.  To  maintain  true  allegiance  to  the  United  States  of  America,  based  upon 
a  paramount  respect  for,  and  fidelity  to  the  National  Constitution  and  the  laws, 
to  discountenance  whatever  tends  to  weaken  loyalty,  incite  insurrection,  treason 
or  rebellion,  or  in  any  manner  impairs  the  efficiency  and  permanency  of  our  free 
institutions;  to  promote  the  spread  of  universal  liberty,  equal  rights,  and  justice 
to  all  men,  and  to  encourage  honor  and  purity  in  public  affairs. 

After  being  mustered  in,  John  A.  Davis  Post  No.  98  elected  the  following 
officers : — 

Commander — John  Hart. 
S.  Vice  Commander — Charles  F.  Taggart. 
J.  Vice  Commander — Levi  M.  Devore. 
Quartermaster — Charles  G.  Sanborn. 
Chaplain — William  Swanzey. 
Officer  of  the  Day — Philip  Arno. 
Officer  of  the  Guard — Newton  Linsley. 
The  commanders  since  then  have  been: 
1882— James  I.  Neff. 

1883—1.  F.  Kleckner. 

1884— Smith  D.  Atkins. 

!885— W.  W.  Moore. 

1886— Henry  Burrell. 

1887— J.  Brown  Taylor. 

1888-1889— John  R.  Harding. 

1890 — Charles  T.  Green. 

1891— F.  C.  Held. 

1892 — Smith  D.  Atkins. 

1893 — George  H.  Tandy. 

1894-1895 — L.  A.  Underwood. 

1896-1897— Wm.  B.  Mayer. 

1898—7.  T.  F.  Runner. 

1899 — Israel  Solt. 

1900-1910 — F.  C.  Held. 

The  Roster  of  the  Post  includes: 

Andre,  John  J.,  Rockford. 

Angle,  Luther. 

Asten,  Charles. 

Atkins,   Smith  D. 

Armbrust,  James,  132  Walnut  St. 

Aspinwall.  J.  E.,  R.  F.  D.  4,  Freeport. 

Adelman,  Milton,  146  Mechanic  St. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  479 

Barnes,  Oliver,  West  Freeport,  died  Dec.  7,  1909. 

Bertsch,  John  A.,  died  Dec.  24,  1909. 

Brandt,  Abram,  Rock  City. 

Byers,  F.  W.,  Monroe,  Wis. 

Bokhof,  Herman,  Rock  City,  111. 

Bouray,  Albert,  Ridott,  111. 

Burrell,  Henry,  102  Lincoln  Ave. 

Blosser,  Wm.  H.,  80  Cherry  St. 

Benson,  David,  210-212  S.  i6th  St.,  Omaha,  died  Dec.  10,  1908. 

Bamberger,  Ephraim,  273  Union  St. 

Brady,  Wm.  I.,  18  Harlem  Ave. 

Bowman,  Wm.  H.,  Nora,  111. 

Burrell,  Daniel,  45  Lincoln  Ave.  • 

Barr,  William,  Walnut  St. 

Best,  Hiram  C.,  350  Walnut  St. 

Burton,  R.  W.,  209  Pleasant  St. 

Beal,  Jacob  S.,  R.  F.  D.  2,  Ridott. 

Baker,  E.  D.,  Scioto  Mills. 

Boop,  W.  H.,  Iroquois,  S.  D. 

Becker,  Jacob,  Durand,  111. 

Brown,  Edward  S.,  255  Stephenson  St.,  died  May  18,  1910. 

Bongye,  Daniel,  22  West  St. 

Bongye,  F.  D.,  Freeport,  died  March  16,  1909. 

Burkhart,  John,  Russell,  Minn.,  died  March  16,  1909. 

Baker,  Wm.  H.,  Scioto  Mills. 

Brownlee,  Harrison,  278  Clark  Ave. 

Bear,  Francis,  387  Oak  St. 

Christler,  W.  J.,  196  Carroll  St. 

Corman,  George,  R.  F.  D.  4,  Freeport. 

Clingman,  Jason,  Dakota,  111. 

Clingman,  John  T.,  Davis,  111. 

Cooper,  B.  G.,  Freeport. 

Cornelius,  Samuel,  Davis,  111.,  dead. 

Clingman,  Wm.  H.,  Cedarville,  111. 

Clark,  Benjamin,  138  State  St. 

Cummings,  James  R.,  132  Walnut  St. 

Drener,  Fred,  34  Douglas  Ave. 

Diecher,  John,  20  Powell  St.,  dead. 

Dryer,  E.  W.  R.,  40  Railroad  St. 

Daughenbaugh,  Christ,  Orangeville,  fll. 

Dommel,  Henry,  Soldiers'  Home. 

Dennison,  N.  W.,  Chicago,  111. 

Dean,  Joseph,  197  Locust  St. 

Durling,  Ezra,  7  Fifth  Ave. 

Engleman,  Jacob,  Red  Oak,  111. 

Ellis,  Eli,  115  N.  Galena  Ave.,  dead. 

Eisenbise,  P.  W.,  77  Orin  St.,  transferred. 


480  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Fossolman,  Phillip,  103  West  St. 
Fox,  Joshua,  185  Jefferson  St. 
Ferrel,  Jacob,  429  Empire  St. 
Fawner,  Phillip  M.,  337  Fifth  Av. 
Fry,  Josiah,  225   Pleasant  St. 
Fry,  Jacob,  231  Pleasant  St. 
Figely,  Wm.  F.,  18  Ordway  St. 
Ford,  Walter  G.,  in  N.  Galena  Ave. 
Freitag,  Phillip,  153  Union  St. 
Graber,  John,  22  Oak   Place. 
Gunn,  James,  12  Chestnut  St. 
Goethe,  Robert,  71  Jefferson  St. 
Grimm,  Geo.  W.,  134  Float  St. 
Carman,  Henry  C,  Cedarville,  111. 
Gale,  John  A.,  4  Cottonwood  St 
Getty,  Royal  Q.,  214  Benton  St. 
Graham,  G.  W.,  23  Grove  St. 
Halen,  James  F. 
Hayes,  Thomas,  Davis,  111. 
Hawn,  Isaac,  21  John  St. 
Held,  F.  C. 

Hayes,  John  R.,  517  62d  St.,  Chicago. 
Hockman,  Henry,  Lebanon,  Mo. 
Hoyman,  Henry,  264  Walnut  St. 
Hennick,  Wm.  H.,  Louis  Ave.,  East  Freeport. 
Hart,  Albert  W.,  15  Addison  St. 
Kaste,  Wm.,  Sr. 
Keller,  Henry,  307  Adams  St. 
Klefer,  George,  Ridott,  111. 
Knecht,  Phillip,  81  Carroll  St. 
Kamerer,  Carl,  258  S.  Galena  Ave. 
Kyle,  Urias. 

Knoeller,  George,  141  Jackson  St. 
Keeler,  N.  F.,  132  Van  Buren  St. 
Krape,  W.  W.,  780  Stephenson  St. 
Kohl,  George,  115  Foley  St. 
Kailey,  Wm.,  Lena,  111. 
Keyes,  Edward,  City. 
Kauffman,  T.  M..  27  Park  Ave. 
Kencke,  Rudolph,   161  Taylor  Ave. 
Keck,  H.  S.,  38  Locust. 
Kleckner,  G.  S.,  573  Stephenson  St. 
Kryder,  Wm.  H.,  Cedarville,  111. 
Kauffman,  Alex.,  275  Carroll  St. 
Kautenberger,  Peter  G.,  180  Chicago  St. 
Kundinger,  Theo.,  no  Clark  Ave. 
Keith,  B.  B.,  45  Jefferson  St.,  dead. 


G.  A.  U.   KXCAilL'JIKXT    VIEWS.   FHEKI'OUT,  1!)10 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UMiVLKbllt  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  481 

Keeling,  G.  F. 
Roller,  Frederick  City. 
Kern,  Richard,  Davis,  111. 
Koym,  Fred,  158  Oak  St. 
Kellogg,  A.  S.,  292  N.  Galena  Ave. 
Lang,  Robert,  Rock  City,  111. 
Lied,  Edwin,  68  High  St. 
Lininger,  J.  F.,  52  Wilbur  St. 
Leigh,  Jesse  R.,  673  Stephenson  St. 
Lattig,  Aaron,  P.,  404  West  St. 
Lathrop,  John  S.,  transferred. 
Long,  George,  87  Walnut. 
Lawver,  George,  246  Elk  St. 
Luedeke,  Henry,  77  Winneshiek  St. 
Law,  John  S.,  Cedarville,  111. 
Marie,  George  E. 
Miller,  Ambrose,  Rock  City,  111. 
Morrison,  Hugh,  392  Stephenson  St. 
McLees,  Robert  C.,  15  Dexter  St. 
Mallory,  Isaac  N.,  128  American  St. 
McLain,  Isaac,  Ridott,  111. 
Moersch,  John,  50  Hardin  St. 
Madden,  Wm.  J.,  36  West  St. 
Myers,  Louis,  Sheldon,  la. 
Mogle,  Samuel,  108  Exchange  St. 
McGurk,  James,  Lena,  111. 
Mitchell,  N.  L.,  Davis,  111. 
Newcomer,  B.  F.,  231  Douglas  Ave. 
Newcomer,  Abraham,  Red  Oak,  111. 
Ott,  Andrew,  36  American  St. 
Pietrek,  Paul,  16  Ordway  St. 
Potter,  Johnson,  Davis,  111. 
Prince,  Jacob,  25  Vine  St. 
Penticoff,  Daniel,  305  Union  St. 
Palmer,  Levy  H.,  26  Chicago  St. 
Rotzler,  John,  161  Elk  St. 
Rodearmel,   Arthur,  460   Stephenson   St. 
Rodemeyer,  Joseph,  83  Chestnut  St. 
Runner,  Z.  T.  F.,  39  Lincoln  Ave. 
Romine,  Homer,  73  Galena  St. 
Rodenbaugh,  J.  M.,  26  Walnut  St. 
Rawk,  David,  Davis,  111. 
Reitzell,  W.  J.,  22  Harlem  Ave. 
Roberts,  Albert,  McKinley  Ave. 
Ropps,  Wm.,  305  Liberty  St. 
Schlegel,  Julius,  523  S.  Galena  Ave. 
Stewart,  Wm.,  203  N.  Galena  Ave. 


482  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Solt,  Israel,  55  Cherry  St. 

Stouffer,  B.  F.,  37  S.  Galena  Ave. 

Spitler,  W.  H.,  34  Nursery  St. 

Sieferman,  Lawrence,  29  Chestnut  St. 

Smith,  Iriah,  Orangeville,  111. 

Schock,  Enos,  Rock  City,  111. 

Smith,  Wm. 

Smith,  John  G.,  dead. 

Snyder,  John  W.,  R.  F.  D.  3,  Freeport. 

Stober,  Wm.,  151  Delaware  St.,  dead. 

Sprague,  Irwin,  222  Van  Buren  St. 

Sechrist,  A.  G.,  209  West  St. 

Shaughnessy,  Samuel,  26  Park  Ave. 

Smith,  J.  H.,  199  Stephenson  St.,  dead. 

Taft,  Ira  B.,  Soldiers'  Home. 

Thompson,  P.  R.,  328  Stephenson  St.,  died  Jan.  6,  1910. 

Thayer,  Wm.  H.,  127  S.  Galena  Ave. 

Turneaure,  G.  B.,  23  Green  St. 

Vore,  John,  51  Illinois  St. 

Van  Reed,  M.  A.,  47  Brick  St. 

Vore,  Wm.,  Cedarville,  111. 

Weinhold,  W.  S.,  146  Washington  St. 

Williams,  Hugh. 

Wentz,  Phillip  W.,  Park  Heights. 

Waddell,  John  R.,  399  Walnut  St. 

Webb,  Oliver,  165  Locust  St. 

Winters,  William,  Dakota,  111. 

Wardlow,  Robert,  Rock  City,  111. 

Williams,  Henry,  241  Spring  St.,  died  Dec.  12,  1909. 

Work,  James  M.,  153  Jackson  St. 

Washburn,  Crip. 

Young,  Thomas  B.,  Rock  City. 

The  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  as  a  national  organization,  has  always 
stood  for  all  that  was  best  in  civic  affairs,  for  advancement  in  all  business  rela- 
tions, and  as  a  result,  has  accomplished  a  great  deal  of  good  and  has  gained 
an  enviable  reputation.  What  has  been  true  of  the  national  order  has  been 
equally  true  of  the  local  branch.  Together  with  its  auxiliaries,  the  Ladies  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  and  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  John  A.  Davis 
Post  has  maintained  the  high  standard  of  the  national  society  and  has  been  an 
active  influence  for  good  in  the  community. 

The  most  active  days  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  are  now  over.  An 
interesting  report  from  Washington,  D.  C.,  states  that  about  ninety  names  per 
day  are  being  dropped  from  the  pension  rolls.  This  means  an  average  of  about 
two  thousand  seven  hundred  deaths  per  month  or  thirty-two  thousand  annually 
among  the  federal  survivors  of  the  Civil  war  carried  on  the  pension  lists.  It 
is  too  evident  that  the  old  soldiers  of  both  armies  are  vanishing  rapidly.  The 
generally  accepted  estimate  of  the  number  of  individuals  serving  in  the  Union 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  483 

army  and  navy  during  the  Civil  war  was  two  million  two  hundred  and  thirteen 
thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty- five.  On  June  20,  1909,  the  actual  number  of 
survivors  of  the  Civil  war  on  the  pension  rolls  was  five  hundred  and  ninety-three 
thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty-five.  On  June  30,  1909,  the  actual  number  of 
will  be  a  matter  of  history.  But  the  brave  men  who  fought  for  the  Union  of 
their  country  will  never  be  forgotten,  nor  the  effective  work  which  they  ac- 
complished through  the  medium  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

For  some  time  after  its  organization  the  John  A.  Davis  Post  met  in  the 
hall  formerly  known  as  Old  Temperance  Hall,  in  the  building  on  the  southeast 
corner  of  Chicago  and  Exchange  streets.  Recently  the  place  of  meeting  was 
moved  to  the  G.  A.  R.  Hall  in  the  City  Hall  building.  This  room  is  also  used  by 
the  auxiliary  associations  as  a  meeting  place  and  the  city  donates  to  the  order  the 
free  use  of  the  rooms. 

On  the  days  May  23,  24  and  25  there  occurred  a  noteworthy  event  in  the 
history  of  the  John  A.  Davis  Post,  and  the  national  order  as  well.  The  44th 
annual  encampment  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  held,  and  Freeport, 
was  selected  as  the  meeting  place.  For  three  days  the  city  was  turned  over  to 
the  distinguished  visitors,  who  flocked  to  Freeport  in  immense  numbers  from  all 
parts  of  the  United  States.  Mayor  Rawleigh  delivered  an  opening  address  of 
welcome,  and  presented  the  principal  speakers  of  the  day.  The  men  of  distinc- 
tion who  were  present  and  spoke  during  the  three  days  of  the  encampment  were 
General  Fred  Grant,  Governor  Van  Sant,  of  Minnesota,  Governor  Deneen,  of 
Illinois,  as  well  as  many  others  of  less  national  reputation.  The  Grand  Opera 
House,  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  First  Methodist  Church  were 
utilized  as  places  of  meeting,  and  were  all  crowded  to  the  doors  on  every  occa- 
sion. It  was  during  one  of  the  encampment  meetings  that  Jasper  T.  Darling 
made  his  now  famous  speech  against  the  placing  of  a  Lee  monument  in  the  Hall 
of  Fame.  The  incident  created  quite  a  breeze  at  the  time  it  occurred  and  vio- 
lent demonstrations  of  protest  were  made  by  the  audience.  Even  now  the  oc- 
currence is  not  forgotten,  and  is  regarded  by  many  as  the  one  blot  on  the  record 
of  the  Freeport  encampment.  In  all  other  respects  the  event  was  a  most  brilliant 
success.  Certainly  the  Freeporters  and  the  John  A.  Davis  Post  acquitted  them- 
selves in  most  hospitable  fashion,  and  the  out-of-town  guests  were  loud  in  their 
praise. 

The  decorations  on  the  occasion  of  the  encampment  were  particularly  at- 
tractive. Stephenson  street  was  spanned  with  flags  and  triumphal  arches  and 
every  building  was  royally  draped  with  the  Stars  and  Stripes.  The  encampment 
was  doubtless  a  big  "boom"  for  Freeport,  and  the  credit  for  the  success  of  the 
affair  should  be  given  to  the  Freeport  business  men  and  the  John  A.  Davis  Post 
for  their  untiring  efforts  to  secure  the  encampment  for  Freeport.  It  was  a 
pronounced  success  and  will  go  down  on  record  as  one  of  the  big  events  of  Free- 
port's  history. 

One  of  the  most  promising  organizations  of  the  city  of  Freeport  is  the  Sons 
of  Veterans,  Smith  D.  Atkins  Camp  No.  400,  Division  of  Illinois.  The  society, 
which  has  had  a  rapid  growth  during  the  past  few  years,  nationally  as  well  as 
locally,  is  composed  of  the  direct  male  descendants  of  those  men  who  served 
as  Union  soldiers  in  the  Civil  War.  The  Freeport  camp  was  instituted  about 


484  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ten  years  ago  with  fifteen  charter  members,  and  named  in  honor  of  Smith  D. 
Atkins,  Freeport's  veteran  postmaster,  and  former  commander  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic.  M.  G.  Kleckner  became  the  first  commander. 

Since  the  time  of  founding  the  Sons  of  Veterans  have  increased  in  member- 
ship until  at  present  their  number  is  eighty-four.  The  officers  of  the  organiza- 
tion for  the  current  year  are:  Commander,  George  F.  Korf ;  senior  vice  com- 
mander, Frank  Hawn;  junior  vice  commander,  Frank  Hand;  chaplain,  F.  M. 
Carl;  secretary,  E.  Ray  Williams;  treasurer,  F.  M.  Miller. 

During  the  recent  G.  A.  R.  encampment  in  Freeport,  the  national  convention 
of  the  Sons  of  Veterans  was  also  held.  At  this  convention  resolutions  to  change 
the  name  of  the  society  was  introduced  but  nothing  was  done  on  the  matter. 
It  was  proposed  to  change  the  name  from  the  "Sons  of  Veterans"  to  the  "Sons 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic."  It  was  argued  that  such  a  name  was 
more  consistent  with  the  original  aim  and  purpose  of  the  society,  but  others 
felt,  on  the  contrary,  that  the  name  "Sons  of  the  G.  A.  R."  would  imply  that 
the  members  were  sons  of  members  of  the  older  organization,  rather  than  of 
any  or  all  of  the  old  soldiers  of  the  Civil  War.  The  project  was  not  looked  upon 
with  favor  by  the  Freeport  camp,  but  nothing  was  done,  and  the  motion  was 
laid  on  the  table  to  await  further  developments. 

The  activity  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans  has  also  been  conducted  along  social 
and  fraternal  lines.  Each  year  there  is  a  social  gathering  at  the  time  of  initia- 
tion, at  which  the  auxiliary  ladies'  organization  assists.  The  prospects  for 
growth  are  bright,  and  the  Sons  of  Veterans  number  in  their  camp  some  of  the 
leading  business  men  of  the  city. 

The  Freeport  Post  of  the  Ladies  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  which  is  not  an  auxiliary, 
but  an  allied  organization  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  was  founded  by 
Mrs.  Helen  Underwood  in  September,  1900.  The  membership  of  this  national 
society  is  made  up  solely  of  the  wives  and  immediate  families  of  the  soldiers  of 
the  Union  army,  as  opposed  to  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  which  admits  to 
membership  any  loyal  woman.  The  society  was  inaugurated  with  thirty-five 
active  members  and  nineteen  comrades.  Mrs.  Underwood,  who  was  instru- 
strumental  in  the  organization  became  the  first  president,  and  afterwards  be- 
came the  society's  chaplain,  which  office  she  has  occupied  for  the  past  four 
years.  At  present  there  are  sixty  members  and  about  thirty  comrades.  The 
officers  recently  elected  are:  President,  Mrs.  T.  M.  Kaufmann;  secretary,  Mrs. 
J.  A.  Gale;  chaplain,  Mrs.  Helen  Underwood. 

The  Ladies  of  the  G.  A.  R.  find  their  work  in  assisting  sick  and  enfeebled 
comrades  and  sisters,  sending  them  fruit,  etc.  On  each  Decoration  Day,  the 
society  makes  it  its  duty  to  provide  a  means  of  transportation  for  the  aged  and 
infirm  comrades  to  go  to  the  cemetery.  The  ladies  also  attend  the  funerals  of 
G.  A.  R.  members  in  a  body,  and  are  present  at  all  memorial  services. 

The  history  of  the  progress  of  the  Ladies  of  the  G.  A.  R.  for  the  past  ten 
years  has  been  unusually  bright,  and  the  society  has  lost  only  four  of  its  mem- 
bers through  death.  At  the  time  of  the  recent  encampment  the  national  conven- 
tion of  the  Ladies  of  the  G.  A.  R.  was  held  in  Freeport  and  the  affairs  of  the 
society  were  found  to  be  in  most  prosperous  condition. 


G.  A.  R.  ENCAMPMENT   VIEWS,  FREKI'ORT.  1»10. 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVEKSI1Y  Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  485 

WOMAN'S  RELIEF  CORPS. 

The  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  which  admits  to  membership  all  loyal  ladies 
of  the  Union,  is  the  only  recognized  auxiliary  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public. It  has  been  in  existence  in  Freeport  for  many  years,  having  been  founded 
in  1888,  by  twenty  interested  ladies.  These  ladies  became  the  charter  members 
of  the  Freeport  organization  and  elected  Mrs.  L.  M.  Devore  president.  At 
present  there  are  sixty-two  active  members  in  good  standing,  who  meet  on  the 
first  and  third  Tuesdays  of  each  month  to  carry  out  the  offices  for  which  the 
society  was  founded.  The  object  is  to  do  charitable  work  and  care  for  the 
orphans  and  widows  of  the  soldiers  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

Each  Decoration  Day,  the  Relief  Corps  serves  lunch  to  the  old  soldiers  in 
the  G.  A.  R.  rooms  at  the  City  Hall.  During  the  G.  A.  R.  the  Woman's  Relief 
Corps  was  particularly  active.  They  gave  a  reception  at  the  Freeport  Club 
to  the  visiting  posts,  and  afterward  another  reception  in  the  G.  A.  R.  rooms  in 
honor  of  Commander  F.  C.  Held,  who  was  honored  by  election  to  the  post  of 
senior  vice  commander  of  the  state.  Like  the  other  auxiliary  ladies'  organiza- 
tions of  the  various  lodges,  the  Relief  Corps  aims  to  care  for  the  sick  and  af- 
flicted of  the  comrades,  and  render  them  all  possible  service. 

The  officers  at  present  are:  President,  Mrs.  Therese  Otto;  secretary,  Mrs. 
Bowers ;  treasurer,  Mrs.  Molter. 

i 

D.   A.    R. 

The  elder  William  Brewster  Chapter  No.  519,  of  the  National  Society  of 
the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  was  founded  in  1900,  by  Mrs. 
Charles  D.  Knowlton,  who  is  at  present  honorary  regent  of  the  chapter.  For 
some  years  previous  to  the  time  of  founding  there  had  been  chapters  in  the  va- 
rious cities  about  Freeport,  but  no  effort  had  been  made  to  establish  a  so- 
ciety in  Stephenson  County.  In  1900  Mrs.  William  Talcott  of  Rockford  was 
state  regent,  and  being  desirous  that  Freeport  should  have  a  chapter,  she  con- 
ferred with  Mrs.  Knowlton  on  the  subject.  The  result  was  that  Mrs.  Knowl- 
ton succeeded  in  getting  the  'members  together,  and  although  it  took  some 
time  to  secure  the  necessary  papers  and  establish  the  claims  of  the  various  mem- 
bers it  was  less  than  a  year  when  the  Elder  William  Brewster  Chapter  became 
an  established  fact,  and  Mrs.  Knowlton,  who  had  done  so  much  to  promote  its 
existence,  was  elected  regent.  She  retained  this  office  for  nine  years  and  was 
only  supplanted  this  year  by  Mrs.  Matthew  B.  Marvin  who  takes  office  next 
fall.  Ten  ladies  were  instrumental  in  founding  the  chapter:  Miss  Gertrude 
Converse,  Miss  Esther  Dana,  Mrs.  Walter  Diffenbaugh,  Miss  Jesta  Judson, 
Mrs.  Charles  D.  Knowlton,  Mrs.  J.  L.  Robinson,  Mrs.  F.  A.  Read,  Mrs.  J.  L. 
Rosebrugh,  Mrs.  Emma  S.  Wise,  and  Mrs.  Charles  C.  Wolf.  Since  the  time  of 
founding  the  membership  has  swelled  to  thirty-seven  names.  An  honored  daugh- 
ter was  Mrs.  Eleanora  Zimmermann,  who  died  November  5,  1909,  aged  eighty- 
eight  years.  She  was  the  only  real  daughter  in  the  chapter,  being  a  daughter  of 
Major  Nicholas  Ickes,  of  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania,  who  served  under  Gen- 
eral George  Washington.  Major  Ickes  was  a  figure  of  some  prominence  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

army  and  gained  promotion  and  title  for  brave  conduct,  although  he  was  only 
sixteen  years  of  age  when  he  entered  the  army.  He  married  Miss  Susan  Barn- 
hisel  and  became  the  father  of  twenty-one  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Eleanora 
Zimmermann  was  the  nineteenth. 

The  chapter  holds  meetings  every  two  weeks  at  the  homes  of  the  members. 
Readings,  discussions,  and  papers  usually  form  the  order  of  the  program.  In 
addition  to  this  a  number  of  activities  have  been  fostered  by  the  D.  A.  R., 
among  them  the  annual  colonial  ball  which  is  held  yearly  at  the  Masonic  Tem- 
ple. The  function  is  held  on  Washington's  Birthday  and  is  usually  a  costume 
affair.  In  past  years,  the  ladies  have  arranged  a  colonial  minuet,  maypole 
dances,  etc.  While  the  colonial  ball  is  the  most  notable  event  of  the  D.  A.  R. 
year,  the  chapter  has  put  the  most  work  and  time  upon  the  Relic  Room  of  the 
County  Historical  Society  which  is  located  on  the  second  floor  of  the  Library 
building,  and  it  is  of  this  that  the  members  are  most  proud.  The  historical  col- 
lection of  relics  suggestive  of  and  dealing  with  the  early  history  of  state  and 
county  is  most  complete  and  interesting.  A  number  of  the  exhibits  were  loaned 
to  the  society  for  a  short  time,  and  the  rest  are  its  permanent  property.  The 
historical  collection  is  intended  as  the  nucleus  of  a  historical  museum  which 
shall  have  its  rooms  in  the  Library  building,  and  contain  relics  of  interest  in  con- 
nection with  the  history  of  the  state  and  county. 

The  original  purpose  of  the  D.  A.  R.  was  to  find  and  mark  the  graves  of  all 
Revolutionary  soldiers  throughout  the  country.  A  number  of  these  have  been 
discovered  within  the  confines  of  Stephenson  County  and  all  have  been  appro- 
priately marked.  A  short  time  ago  the  Freeport  chapter  helped  the  Rockford 
chapter  to  officiate  at  a  meeting  at  Polo  at  which  memorial  services  were  held 
for  two  old  Revolutionary  soldiers.  A  monument  was  erected  and  a  boulder, 
and  these  were  dedicated  on  June  20,  1910,  with  appropriate  exercises. 

The  D.  A.  R.  have  maintained  a  very  flourishing  society  in  Freeport,  and 
further  developments  are  awaited  with  interest.  The  organization  is  one  of 
the  most  wide-awake  in  the  city  and  has  accomplished  a  great  deal  of  valuable 
work  during  the  short  period  of  its  existence. 

WOMAN'S  CLUB. 

The  object  of  the  Freeport  Woman's  Club,  as  stated  in  its  constitution,  is 
"the  self-improvement  of  its  members,  and  united  effort  for  the  advancement 
of  social  conditions  in  the  home  and  the  community."  The  club  has  been  in 
existence  since  1895  and  during  this  time  has  been  instrumental  in  effecting 
improvements  and  innovations  in  every  direction.  Mrs.  Robert  Hall  Wiles,  now 
of  Chicago,  was  the  prime  mover  in  its  organization  and  to  her  efforts  may  be 
attributed  the  successful  career  of  the  Woman's  Club  for  the  past  fifteen 
years.  In  the  fall  of  '95  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  circuit  courtroom  of  the 
courthouse  to  which  all  ladies  interested  in  the  formation  of  a  woman's  club 
were  invited.  A  large  attendance  resulted,  and  the  club  was  formally  instituted 
then  and  there,  Mrs.  Wiles  being  elected  president.  Mrs.  Wiles  served  for 
several  years  and  has  since  been  succeeded  by  Mrs.  C.  F.  Hildreth,  Miss  Flora 
Guiteau,  Mrs.  Charles  D.  Knowlton,  Mrs.  H.  D.  Bentley,  Mrs.  F.  H.  Towslee, 
Mrs.  J.  C.  Gregory,  and  Mrs.  George  I.  Brown. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  487 

Perhaps  the  most  notable  thing  done  by  the  Woman's  Club  was  the  placing 
of  a  granite  boulder  to  mark  the  spot  where  the  Lincoln-Douglas  debate  was 
held.  The  boulder,  which  is  a  huge  red  sandstone  slab  of  exceptional  beauty, 
was  selected  by  a  committee  of  the  ladies  of  the  club  who  went  to  Devil's  Lake, 
Wisconsin,  for  the  purpose  of  choosing  a  suitable  stone.  It  was  placed  in  its 
present  position  in  1902,  and  in  June,  1903,  it  was  formally  unveiled  and  dedi- 
cated by  President  Roosevelt. 

The  work,  however,  of  which  the  club  has  been  the  most  proud  has  been  the 
work  in  connection  with  the  juvenile  court.  A  committee  consisting  of  three 
of  the  members  of  the  club  has  been  active  in  juvenile  court  work  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  The  work  was  undertaken  soon  after  the  founding  of  the  club, 
and  while  it  has  not  been  noised  abroad,  but  has,  on  the  contrary,  been  kept 
very  quiet,  nevertheless  a  great  amount  of  telling  work  has  been  accomplished. 

In  addition  to  these  activities,  the  club  has  done  charitable  work  in  the  com- 
munity for  the  past  fourteen  years.  Thirteen  years  ago,  in  1897,  it  was  voted 
to  furnish  a  Christmas  tree  for  the  inmates  of  the  county  farm  every  Christmas 
eve.  The  tree  was  a  great  success  the  first  year,  and  the  custom  has  been  con- 
tinued ever  since. 

In  the  beautification  of  the  city,  the  Woman's  Club  has  not  been  idle.  Four 
years  ago,  in  1906,  they  presented  the  City  cemetery  with  one  hundred  white 
cut  birch  trees  which  have  made  a  material  improvement  in  its  looks.  The 
City  cemetery  had  been  for  some  time  somewhat  ragged  and  run  down  in  ap- 
pearance but  through  the  efforts  of  the  clubwomen  the  city  has  been  induced  to 
turn  over  a  new  leaf  and  the  cemetery  is  today  in  much  better  condition  than 
it  might  have  been,  had  not  the  club  seen  fit  to  bend  its  efforts  in  this  direction. 

One  of  the  first  charities  undertaken,  was  the  care  of  the  hospitals.  For 
the  past  nine  years  the  members  have  been  sending  fruit  and  jelly  to  both  St. 
Francis  and  the  Globe  Hospital.  Each  individual  is  asked  to  bring  a  jar  of 
fruit  and  a  glass  of  jelly  on  an  appointed  day  in  the  fall  and  the  offerings  are 
evenly  distributed  between  the  two  hospitals.  In  the  winter  of  1902-3  the  ladies 
took  it  upon  themselves  to  furnish  throughout  a  children's  room  at  the  Globe 
Hospital.  They  have  also  assisted  financially  in  settlement  and  charitable  work 
in  the  city.  Some  years  ago  they  pledged  themselves  to  give  a  stated  amount 
each  year  to  the  King's  Daughters'  Settlement  Home,  and  the  results  accom- 
plished in  this  line  have  been,  to  say  the  least,  gratifying. 

Four  years  ago,  an  agitation  was  started  for  the  establishment  of  a  domestic 
science  department  in  the  Freeport  high  school.  The  Woman's  Club  was  anxious 
that  this  movement  should  successfully  culminate,  and  immediately  agreed  to 
furnish  the  department  throughout  should  the  course  be  ultimately  adopted  as 
a  part  of  the  school  curriculum.  The  domestic  science  department  was,  in 
fact,  established  the  following  fall,  and  has  just  completed  the  fourth  year 
of  its  existence.  The  Woman's  Club  purchased  the  necessary  supplies  and 
made  an  arrangement  with  the  manual  training  department  to  make  the  tables, 
and  the  furniture  of  the  dining  room.  The  domestic  science  rooms  are  one  of 
the  features  of  the  high  school  building  today,  and  the  Woman's  club  is  in  a 
large  measure  responsible  for  the  steady  advancement  of  the  department  since 
its  founding. 


488  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY. 

Last  year  the  Citizen's  Commercial  Association  began  to  set  afoot  a  move- 
ment for  the  establishing  and  maintaining  of  a  rest  room  for  out  of  town  vis- 
itors. It  was  thought  that  this  would  materially  aid  in  Freeport's  growth,  or 
that  it  would  at  least  show  the  enterprise  and  ambition  of  the  Freeport  popula- 
tion. The  Woman's  Club,  when  consulted  by  the  secretary  of  the  association, 
agreed  to  furnish  and  equip  the  room  with  the  necessary  furniture  and  appur- 
tenances. This  work  has  just  been  completed  and  the  club  has  still  another 
public  service  upon  which  to  congratulate  itself. 

There  have  been  other  services,  but  they  have  been  less  public  than  the  ones 
above  mentioned.  The  club  has  also  assisted  in  the  intellectual  growth  and 
uplift  of  the  community  by  means  of  the  lectures  which  it  has  secured  for 
several  years  past.  Undeniably  the  club  has  met  with  success  and  has  ably  ful- 
filled that  part  of  its  motto  relating  to  "united  effort  for  the  advancement  of 
social  conditions  in  the  home  and  in  the  community."  As  far  as  the  "self  im- 
provement" clause  is  concerned,  it  may  be  said  that  this  has  by  no  means  been 
neglected.  The  policy  has  not  been  to  take  up  any  one  definite  line  of  study 
and  pursue  it  for  an  entire  year.  On  the  contrary,  the  programs  have  been 
varied — so  varied  in  fact,  that,  in  looking  over  a  recent  year  book  of  the  club, 
we  find  one  Saturday  devoted  to  a  discussion  of  "South  Africa  and  Her  Po- 
litical Relations,"  while  the  next  is  occupied  with  a  talk  on  "Music  as  a  Factor 
in  Education."  The  club  members  have  certainly  neglected  their  opportunities 
if  they  have  failed  to  acquire  that  broad  general  culture  which  it  was  the  aim 
of  its  founders  to  diffuse. 

The  meetings  of  the  club  are  at  present  held  in  the  audience  room  of  the 
Masonic  Temple.  After  the  foundation  of  the  society  meetings  were  held  for 
a  short  time  in  the  courthouse.  They  were  soon  transferred  to  the  auditorium 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  where  they  continued  to  be  held  until  the  remodelling  of 
the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building  made  it  necessary  for  them  to  seek  new  quarters.  For 
a  short  time  they  were  housed  in  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  but  they  soon 
moved  to  the  Masonic  Temple,  which  they  have  now  occupied  for  some  years. 
There  is  at  present  a  movement  on  foot  to  purchase  a  permanent  home  for  the 
club.  Several  schemes  have  been  advanced,  one  to  the  effect  that  the  Woman's 
Club  and  Shakespeare  Society  shall  buy  the  club  house  of  the  Freeport  Club 
and  occupy  it  jointly.  Other  plans  have  been  proposed,  but  the  outlook  for  a 
club  house  is  not  wery  hopeful  at  present. 

During  the  short  period  of  its  lifetime  the  Freeport  Woman's  Club  has  ac- 
complished untold  good  in  every  branch  of  activities  into  which  it  has  ventured. 
This  has  been  entirely  due  to  the  energy  and  tireless  work  of  its  members.  In 
view  of  its  achievements  in  the  past,  Freeport  has  reason  to  look  forward  with 
confidence  to  still  greater  developments  in  the  future. 

FREEPORT   SHAKESPEARE  SOCIETY. 

Among  the  literary  clubs  of  Freeport,  none  has  been  more  active  than  the 
Freeport  Shakespeare  Society.  The  club  was  first  formed  in  1887  under  the 
name  of  the  "Wantahno"  (Want  to  Know)  Club,  and  the  charter  members 
pledged  themselves  to  carry  out  a  course  of  reading  and  study  outlined  by  the 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  489 

/  \ 

Chautauqua  Literary  and  Scientific  Circle.  This  course  was  completed  within 
a  year,  but  the  "Wantahno's"  had  found  their  year's  work;  so  enjoyable  and 
profitable  that  they  decided  to  make  their  club  a  permanent  organization.  It 
was  then,  in  1888,  that  the  present  Shakespeare  Society  had  its  inception,  Mrs. 
Carl  Nelson  Moller,  formerly  Miss  Vennette  Grain  being  especially  instrumental 
in  the  work  of  reorganizing.  Mrs.  Moller,  who  was  a  recent  graduate  of 
Wellesley  College,  proposed  that  the  Wantahno  Club  make  plans  for  a  Shake- 
speare Society  which  should  follow  the  same  lines  as  the  Shakespeare  Society  of 
Wellesley  College.  A  number  of  new  members  were  asked  to  join,  and  all  en- 
tered into  the  work  with  zeal  and  enthusiasm.  Mrs.  Moller  was  elected  president 
of  the  club  for  three  consecutive  years.  The  organization  at  first  went  under 
the  name  of  the  "Wantahno  Shakespeare  Society,"  but  two  years  later  in  1890, 
the  name  was  changed  to  "Freeport  Shakespeare  Society"  which  name  it  has 
retained  up  to  the  present  day. 

It  was  the  first  design  of  the  club  that  the  membership  should  consist  solely  of 
unmarried  ladies,  but  when  several  of  the  sisters  forsook  their  vows  and  ex- 
hibited a  preference  for  the  married  state  instead  of  single  blessedness  and 
membership  in  the  Shakespeare  Society,  it  became  necessary  to  forge  a  new 
rule.  It  was  finally  settled  that  the  statute  must  stand  unchanged  as  far  as  the 
election  of  new  members  was  concerned,  but  that  "once  a  member,  always  a 
member"  should  be  the  rule  in  other  cases. 

While  the  original  intention  was  to  study  the  life  and  works  of  the  Bard 
of  Avon,  the  Shakespeare  Society  had  strayed  somewhat  from  this  purpose,  and 
History,  Economics,  Art,  and  Literature  have  formed  subjects  for  discussion 
for  the  greater  part  of  the  time.  It  has  been  the  custom  to  present  one  or  more 
plays  each  year,  and  this  rule  has  been  pretty  regularly  observed.  The  first 
dramatic  effort  of  the  society  was  a  sylvan  performance  of  "As  You  Like  It," 
which  was  given  in  the  pine  grove  at  the  residence  of  Oscar  Taylor  on  South 
Carroll  street.  The  play  was  a  memorable  success,  and  those  who  have  wit- 
nessed it  and  later  productions  of  the  club  as  well,  say  that  it  has  never  been 
surpassed  for  daintiness  and  idyllic  beauty.  The  cast  on  this  occasion  comprised : 

The  Banished  Duke Miss  Mary  Staver 

Duke  Frederick,  the  usurper Miss  Nellie  Moore 

Amiens  )  J  Miss  Carolyn  Harding 

Jaques     (    '  '  1 "  '  "  ". ' '  ' '  ,'• ',' '  W  '  '•'  i  ", '  T,",          I     Miss  Charissa  Taylor 

Lords  attending  on  the  Banished  Duke       l 

Charles,  wrestler  to  Frederick Miss  Frances  Goddard 

Oliver      I  f  Miss  Margaret  Bidwell 

Orlando  (    ' '  '.  "  '  "  ', "  ' ."  '  "  ' 1        Miss  Laura  Malburn 

Sons  to  Sir  Rowland  de  Boys 

Adam,  servant  to  Oliver   Miss   Margaret  Stearns 

Touchstone,   a  clown    Miss   Anna    Sanborn 

Corin    )  (    Miss  Emma  Krohn 


Silvius  |  '  1    Miss  Emily  Smythe 

Shepherds 

William,   a   country    fellow    Miss   Emily   Smythe 

Rosalind,   daughter  to  the  Banished  Duke    Miss   Mabel  Wright 


490  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Celia,  daughter  to  Frederick   Miss  Helen  Hill 

Phebe,  shepherdess Miss  Helen   Staver 

Audrey,  a  country  lass Miss  Margaret  Rhody 

In  succeeding  years  other  histrionic  attempts  have  seen  light,  but  while  the 
first  performances  given  by  the  club  were  either  public,  or  at  least  witnessed 
by  large  audiences,  the  society  has  become  exclusive  of  later  years,  and  their 
productions  have  been  privately  staged  at  the  homes  of  the  members  and  before 
audiences  consisting  of  the  club  members  themselves  and  their  immediate  fam- 
ilies. Among  the  plays  which  have  been  given  are  "Twelfth  Night,"  "The  Tam- 
ing of  the  Shrew,"  "The  Comedy  of  Errors,"  "The  Merchant  of  Venice,"  and 
a  number  of  non-Shakespearian  plays,  as  well  as  short  scenes  or  cuttings  from 
the  Shakespearian  comedies.  Outside  professional  companies  have  also  been 
secured,  among  them  the  Ben  Greet  Players,  who  gave  "As  You  Like  It"  and  "A 
Midsummer  Night's  Dream"  in  Bailey's  Park.  The  most  notable  outside  per- 
formance was  that  of  "Antony  and  Cleopatra"  by  the  Charles  B.  Hanford  Com- 
pany, the  part  of  Cleopatra  being  taken  by  Miss  Alice  Wilson,  now  Mrs.  Cecil 
Magnus,  of  Fort  Hamilton,  New  York,  a  former  member  of  the  Shakespeare 
Society. 

Among  the  outside  activities  undertaken  by  the  society  has  been  the  securing 
of  lecturers  who  have  appeared  not  only  before  the  club  but  before  public  au- 
diences, on  subjects  connected  with  the  current  topics  of  the  year's  program.  In 
this  way  the  society  has  served  not  only  to  widen  the  interests  and  broaden  the 
intellectual  horizon  of  its  members,  but  of  the  community  as  well. 

The  Shakespeare  Society  has  recently  completed  the  twenty-second  year  of 
its  existence.  There  are  at  present  but  three  active  members  whose  names  were 
on  the  original  roll  of  the  Wantahno  Circle.  The  organization  has  increased  in 
numbers  and  has  extended  its  labors  into  every  field  of  cultural  activity.  Dur- 
ing this  period,  sixteen  of  its  members  have  occupied  the  president's  chairs,  only 
two  or  three  of  them  having  served  for  more  than  one  term.  The  presidents 
of  the  society  since  its  founding  have  been : 

WANTAHNO   CIRCLE. 

Miss  Anna  M.  Smythe,  1887-88. 

FREEPORT    SHAKESPEARE    SOCIETY. 

Miss  Vennette  S.  Crain,  1888-1891 ;  Miss  Margaret  Bidwell,  1891-1892;  Miss 
Laura  Malburn,  1892-1893  and  1904-1905;  Mrs.  Mabel  T.  Hettinger,  1893-1894; 
Miss  Anna  Barton,  1894-1895;  Mrs.  R.  B.  Mitchell,  1895-1896  and  1899-1900; 
Miss  Helen  Hill,  1896-1897;  Miss  Bessie  Gund,  1897-1898;  Miss  Jennie  Huenke- 
meier,  1898-1899;  Miss  Bertha  Trembor,  1900-1901;  Miss  Harriet  Lane,  1901- 
1902;  Miss  Bertha  Bidwell,  1902-1903  and  1905-1906;  Miss  Mary  Stoskopf, 
1903-1904;  Miss  Alice  Bidwell,  1906-1907;  Miss  Eva  Hettinger,  1907-1908. 

EUTERPEAN. 

"Love  the  best  things ;  do  the  wisest  things ;  think  the  purest  things ;  aspire 
to  the  noblest  things !"  When  the  Euterpean  Musical-Literary  Society  organized 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  491 

in  1902,  it  chose  the  above  motto  to  guide  its  steps.  The  club  was  organized 
through  the  efforts  of  Wilber  M.  Derthick,  founder  and  director  of  the  Euter- 
pean  Fraternity,  who  went  about  the  country  establishing  clubs  in  every  city 
or  prominence.  The  Euterpean  Fraternity  of  America  was  founded  in  imitation 
of  the  Euterpe,  a  Norwegian  musical  society  of  which  the  composer,  Edward 
Grieg,  was  the  chief.  Mr.  Derthick  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  May  M.  Derthick,  suc- 
ceeded in  establishing  the  Freeport  chapter  in  1902  and  provided  the  members 
with  a  program  for  the  winter  of  1902-3. 

The  Euterpean  was  not  the  first  society  which  Mr.  Derthick  had  fostered  in 
Freeport.  About  ten  years  ago,  he  came  to  this  city  and  assisted  in  founding  a 
club  which  became  known  as  the  "Musical-Literary  Club."  While  this  club  had 
really  no  connection  with  the  Euterpean  Society,  still  those  who  had  been  mem- 
bers of  the  Musical-Literary  Club  became  members  of  the  Euterpean  for  the  most 
part,  and  in  addition  to  this,  the  aim  and  general  purposes  of  the  two  clubs  were 
very  much  alike.  There  was  this  exception;  the  "Musical-Literary  Club"  aimed 
to  carry  out  programs  which  should  cover  the  fields  of  Music  and  Literature. 
The  Euterpean  took  up  this  work  and  added  the  province  of  Art.  Painting  was 
discussed  and  the  works  of  the  great  masters  were  studied,  while  the  literary 
and  musical  work  was  continued  as  well. 

The  "Musical-Literary  Club"  had  disbanded  after  three  years  of  work.  The 
Euterpean  too.  in  spite  of  an  interesting  and  helpful  year,  broke  up  at  the  end 
of  one  season.  It  was  not  until  three  years  later  that  the  old  members  began 
to  make  some  move  toward  reorganizing.  Then,  remembering  the  pleasures  of 
their  one  year  together,  they  decided  to  meet  and  continue  the  musical-literary 
programs.  Mr.  Derthick  had  given  up  his  work  and  the  Euterpean  Fraternity 
as  a  national  organization  was  no  longer  in  existence.  But  the  ideas  which  he 
had  instilled  into  the  minds  of  his  former  pupils  were  still  fresh,  and  the  men 
and  women  who  had  studied  with  him  were  anxious  to  recommence  their  work. 

The  result  was  a  complete  reorganization  in  1905,  under  the  name  of  this 
"Euterpean  Musical-Literary  Club."  Miss  Julia  Molter  was  elected  president  and 
retained  her  office  for  one  year.  In  1906,  Mrs.  Edna  Baker  Oylet  was  made 
president,  and  she  remained  in  office  for  three  terms.  She  was  succeeded  in  1909 
by  Miss  Isabel  Fry,  the  present  leader  of  the  society.  After  two  years  of  this 
work,  the  Euterpean  began  to  feel  that  it  had  undertaken  too  heavy  a  proposi- 
tion. It  was  very  enjoyable  to  study  art,  music,  and  literature,  but  it  took  time 
and  continued  effort.  The  programs  were  long,  and  it  seemed  that  undue  ef- 
forts were  expended  upon  them.  Moreover,  the  club  was  composed  almost  en- 
tirely of  persons  interested  chiefly  in  music.  Accordingly,  the  nature  of  the 
club  was  again  changed  and  in  1907  the  society  became  the  "Euterpean  Musical 
Club." 

The  Euterpean  Musical  Club  filled  a  long  felt  want  inasmuch  as  it  was  the 
only  exclusively  musical  club  of  the  city.  The  Woman's  Club  has  maintained  a 
music  department  and  had  given  public  musicales  at  various  times,  but  the 
chief  interests  of  that  organization  lay  elsewhere.  The  Euterpean,  however,  has 
given  itself  entirely  over  to  music,  and  the  development  and  education  of  a 
musical  taste  in  the  community.  To  this  end,  they  have  given  at  least  two  artist 
recitals  a  year  ever  since  1907.  They  have  secured  a  number  of  eminent 


492  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

musicians,  among  them  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herbert  Butler,  of  Chicago,  who  are  hon- 
orary members  of  the  Euterpean,  and  have  given  several  Euterpean  recitals  both 
privately  and  publicly. 

It  has  been  the  custom  for  the  past  three  years  to  close  the  work  of  the  year 
with  a  picnic  or  social  gathering  of  some  sort,  on  the  evening  of  the  final  recital. 
This  recital  has  usually  been  one  of  the  two  artist  recitals  of  the  year,  but 
on  one  occasion  the  program  was  made  up  exclusively  of  home  talent.  Last 
year,  the  picnic  and  closing  recital  was  held  at  the  club  house  of  the  Lakota  Club 
in  West  Freeport.  The  Lakota  Club  gave  its  house  over  to  the  Euterpean  So- 
ciety for  the  occasion  and  the  Euterpean  entertained  the  Lakota  men  as  their 
guests.  This  year  the  picnic  was  held  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Frank  Bass,  on 
South  Carroll  street.  The  artist  on  this  occasion  was  Mr.  Harold  Henry,  of 
Chicago,  pianist. 

The  Euterpean  Society  plans  to  continue  its  work  next  year,  with  Miss  Isabel 
Fry,  as  president,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  it  will  remain  a  permanent  institution. 
It  is  one  of  the  few  clubs  of  the  city  which  have  been  organized  with  a  definite 
purpose  in  sight,  and  is  second  to  none  in  importance  as  it  is  the  only  musical 
society  of  the  city.  The  Euterpean  has  only  been  active  for  a  short  time,  but 
during  that  brief  period  it  has  accomplished  a  great  deal  in  the  way  of  further- 
ing musical  interests  in  Freeport. 

CULTURE    CLUB. 

One  of  the  literary  clubs  of  Freeport  which  has  not  appeared  in  the  lime- 
light at  any  time,  but  has  always  continued  to  do  its  work  quietly  and  unas- 
sumingly is  the  organization  which  is  known  as  "The  Culture  Club."  As  its 
name  indicates,  the  aim  of  its  members  is  the  acquisition  of  a  broad  range  of 
knowledge  and  experience  productive  of  general  culture.  The  club  is  somewhat 
smaller  than  any  of  the  other  organizations  of  the  city,  the  membership  being 
limited  to  eighteen.  At  the  present  time  there  are  sixteen  members. 

The  Culture  Club  had  its  beginnings  in  a  small  and  exclusive  circle  known  as 
the  "Home  Reading  Circle,"  which  was  founded  nearly  seventeen  years  ago. 
The  three  members  who  may  be  styled  as  charter  members  of  the  club,  inasmuch 
as  they  first  gathered  together  at  one  another's  homes  to  pursue  a  course  of  read- 
ing, are  still  active  members.  These  three  found  the  association  so  pleasant  and 
the  work  so  enjoyable  that  they  decided  to  increase  the  membership  and  widen 
the  circle  of  activities.  This  was  done  in  a  few  years  and  the  club  soon  took  its 
present  name  of  "The  Culture  Club."  The  three  charter  members  were  all  teach- 
ers and  most  of  the  present  membership  is  made  up  of  teachers  in  the  Free- 
port  schools.  However,  this  is  by  no  means  considered  as  a  necessary  qualifica- 
tion for  membership. 

The  Culture  Club  meets  once  a  week,  on  Monday  evenings,  at  the  homes  of 
its  several  members,  and  carries  out  a  literary  program  consisting  of  papers  and 
discussions.  A  program  of  work  is  outlined  each  year  and  adhered  to  through- 
out. It  has  been  the  custom  of  the  club  of  late  years  to  select  as  a  general  topic 
for  the  year's  work  a  nation  and  its  people.  In  connection  with  the  study  of  the 
land  and  people,  some  of  the  literature  of  the  nation  is  read.  Two  years  ago, 
Russia  was  the  topic,  last  year  France  was  the  general  subject,  and  next  year 
Germany  will  be  studied. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  493 

The  roll  of  members  is  as  follows:  Miss  Emma  Voss,  Miss  Alice  Reitzell, 
Miss  Eva  Milner,  Mrs.  Edward  Bengston,  Miss  Clara  Swanzey,  Miss  Mabel 
Goddard,  Mrs.  Linnie  Scofield,  Mrs.  Kettle,  Miss  Vida  Graham,  Mrs.  A.  C. 
Knorr,  Miss  Vorta  Walker,  Mrs.  William  H.  Thoren,  Mrs.  A.  Billerbeck,  Miss 
Ida  Bastian,  Miss  Susan  Brown,  and  Miss  Irene  Place.  The  officers  for  the  cur- 
rent year  are:  Preseident,  Miss  Emma  Voss;  vice  president,  Mrs.  L.  E.  Scofield; 
secretary  and  treasurer,  Miss  Mabel  Goddard. 

HUMANE   SOCIETY. 

The  work  of  the  Freeport  Humane  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to 
Animals,  was  inaugurated  by  the  Freeport  Woman's  Club.  On  the  meeting  of 
April  15,  of  that  date  the  subject  was  first  brought  up  by  Mrs.  J.  G.  Oyler,  who 
has  since  continued  to  be  very  active  in  the  work.  The  principal  cities  about  Free- 
port  all  had  humane  societies  which  were  doing  good  work,  and  the  more  enter- 
prising Freeport  people,  particularly  the  ladies  of  the  Woman's  Club,  felt  that 
the  lack  was  a  serious  detriment  to  Freeport's  good  name.  Accordingly,  Mrs. 
Oyler  who  had  investigated  the  subject  moved  that  the  Woman's  Club  take 
action  to  found  a  Humane  Society,  and  appoint  a  committee  to  carry  out  the 
project.  Her  motion  was  carried  and  a  committee  was  appointed  by  Mrs. 
Hildreth,  then  president  of  the  Club,  consisting  of  Mesdames  Zipf,  Oyler,  Dunn, 
and  Truesdell. 

The  work  was  soon  under  way,  and  a  few  weeks  later  an  organization  was 
perfected.  The  organizing  meeting  was  held  in  the  parlors  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A., 
and  after  transacting  preliminary  business,  the  society  elected  the  following  mem- 
bers to  serve  as  first  officers  of  the  association :  President,  Henry  Dorman ;  vice 
president,  Mrs.  John  G.  Oyler ;  secretary,  Miss  Marion  Clark ;  treasurer,  Joseph 
Emmert ;  humane  officer,  Charles  Hall. 

Thirty-eight  charter  members  enrolled  in  the  first  humane  society,  and  the 
club  started  out  with  the  laudable  intention  of  preventing  cruelty  toward  chil- 
dren as  well  as  dumb  beasts.  But  at  first  the  humane  society  did  not  thrive. 
There  had  been  other  humane  societies  in  previous  years,  which  flickered  and  died 
out  after  a  short  and  uncertain  existence,  and  it  seemed  at  first  that  the  new 
organization  was  to  follow  in  the  beaten  path.  It  is  due  to  the  unfailing  energy 
of  the  members,  and  especially  the  officers  that  the  humane  society  survived  and 
became  so  potent  a  factor  in  the  welfare  of  the  community.  Charles  Hall,  humane 
officer,  was  chief  of  police  at  the  time,  and  his  time  was  occupied  with  his  duties 
in  other  directions.  Consequently  his  career  as  humane  officer  was  not  marked 
by  any  great  activity,  and  he  did  not  accomplish  any  marked  success. 

Some  of  the  more  active  members,  feeling  that  it  was  a  disgrace  that  the 
humane  society  should  not  be  properly  supported,  called  the  members  together 
at  another  meeting  two  years  after  the  first  one,  in  1903.  A  reorganization  took 
place  and  new  officers  were  elected.  At  this  time  the  following  were  placed  in 
office :  President,  Henry  Dorman ;  vice  president,  T.  H.  Hollister ;  secretary,  Mrs. 
J.  G.  Oyler ;  treasurer,  Joseph  Emmert ;  humane  officer,  B.  F.  Brubaker. 

From  the  time  of  this  reorganization  dates  the  present  activity  of  the  Free- 
port  S.  P.  C.  A.  B.  F.  Brubaker  proved  himself  a  willing  and  capable  humane 


494  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

officer,  and  to  him  is  due  a  great  part  of  the  credit  for  the  excellent  reputation 
which  the  humane  society  has  of  late  achieved.  Although  engaged  in  other  busi- 
ness he  has  devoted  time  and  energies  to  his  duties  as  humane  officer,  and  has 
more  than  creditably  filled  his  position. 

A  short  time  ago  occurred  the  death  of  President  Dorman.  T.  H.  Hollister 
thereupon  took  his  place.  The  other  officers  of  the  association  have  remained 
unchanged.  From  an  original  thirty-eight  the  membership  has  swelled  to  over 
one  hundred  and  fifty,  and  constant  additions  are  being  made  from  time  to 
time. 

JUVENILE  COURT. 

The  juvenile  court  work  has  been  an  outgrowth  of  the  humane  society,  and, 
like  that  organization,  was  fostered  by  the  Freeport  Woman's  Club.  Three 
names  have  been  very  intimately  connected  with  its  career  in  Freeport,  those  of 
Miss  Bertha  Bidwell,  Miss  Alice  Hettinger,  and  Mrs.  John  G.  Oyler,  who  have 
devoted  much  of  their  time  and  efforts  to  the  maintenance  of  the  institution. 

Mrs.  Oyler  has  been  the  first  and  only  probation  officer,  and  Judge  Clarity 
has  been  the  only  judge  of  the  juvenile  court.  During  the  comparatively  short 
time  of  the  court's  activity,  no  less  than  one  hundred  children  have  been  cared 
for.  Some  of  these  have  been  sent  to  institutions  of  correction,  some  have  been 
sent  to  schools  for  dependent  children,  and  others  have  been  placed  in  good 
homes.  A  large  number  have  been  legally  adopted. 

The  juvenile  court  succeeded  in  sending  to  the  penitentiary  a  woman  who  had 
been  the  author  of  a  notorious  case  of  child  abuse,  one  Mrs.  Mary  Jane  Sked, 
who  is  at  present  incarcerated  in  Joliet.  The  ladies  interested  in  the  juvenile 
court  have  also  taken  up  the  matter  of  impure  and  immoral  productions  at 
the  theatres  of  the  city.  A  profound  agitation  was  aroused  only  one  or  two 
years  ago  by  the  appearance  of  a  certain  company  at  the  Grand  Opera  House, 
whose  performance  was  styled  indecent.  The  company  had  intended  to  return 
and  repeat  its  performance,  but  the  prompt  action  of  the  juvenile  court  com- 
mittee blocked  any  such  procedure. 

The  people  connected  with  the  court  have  done  a  great  deal  of  good  in  the 
past,  and  give  every  indication  of  keeping  up  the  good  work. 

TRUANT   AND    HOME    MATRON. 

Until  last  year  the  board  of  education  employed  the  services  of  the  chief 
of  police  as  truant  officer  of  the  public  schools.  The  arrangement  was  never 
satisfactory,  for  the  chief  of  police  always  found  himself  too  burdened  with 
his  regular  duties  to  properly  attend  to  cases  of  truancy.  Following  the  lead 
of  other  schools  in  Chicago  and  the  east,  the  board  decided  to  engage  the  ser- 
vices of  a  truant  officer  who  should  devote  her  entire  time  to  the  work.  Mrs. 
Edna  Baker  Oyler  was  engaged  at  a  regular  salary,  and  since  September,  1909, 
has  continued  to  fill  the  office  most  ably. 

Her  proper  title  is  truant  officer  and  home  matron  of  the  Freeport  public 
schools,  and  in  addition  to  her  duties  in  cases  of  truancy,  she  is  expected  to  direct 
her  efforts  toward  bettering  the  condition  of  the  children  of  the  city  schools  in 
a  moral,  religious,  and  sanitary  way.  Mrs.  Oyler  deserves  a  great  deal  of  credit 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  495 

for  the  unflinching  stand  she  has  taken  and  for  the  surprising  and  gratifying  re- 
sults she  has  been  able  to  accomplish.  She  has  unearthed  a  great  many  surpris- 
ing and  startling  situations,  and  has  been  the  cause  of  a  large  number  of  ar- 
rests and  fines.  The  selling  of  tobacco  and  liquor  to  minors,  and  gambling  on 
the  part  of  boys  under  age  have  been  the  marked  objects  of  her  campaign,  and 
in  this  connection  she  has  been  able  to  institute  reforms  in  a  number  of  in- 
stances. Mrs.  Oyler's  crusade  has  only  begun  but  the  board  of  education  feels 
eminently  satisfied  with  the  proceedings  so  far,  and  hopes  for  a  continuance  of 
the  work.  In  the  employing  of  a  special  truant  officer  and  home  matron,  the 
board  of  education  is  placing  the  Freeport  public  schools  in  the  front  ranks  as 
the  most  progressive  in  the  northern  part  of  Illinois. 

w.  c.  T.  u. 

Of  the  various  temperance  organizations  which  once  flourished  in  Freeport, 
only  one  remains,  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  and  that  has  not 
only  survived  the  shocks  of  a  troublous  career,  but  it  has  steadily  increased  in 
strength,  and  now  holds  a  post  of  honor  and  importance.  The  I.  O.  Good 
Templars,  which  was  for  a  long  time  the  leading  temperance  order  of  the  city, 
as  well  as  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  and  several  lesser  societies,  like  the  Free- 
port  Reform  Club,  have  lived  and  passed  away  after  comparatively  brief  careers. 
This  does  not  mean  that  the  temperance  movement  has  suffered  a  relapse  in 
Freeport.  Quite  the  contrary.  The  temperance  wave  which  recently  swept  over 
the  land  arid  caused  so  many  of  the  states  of  the  Union  to  "go  dry,"  was  as 
strongly  felt  in  Freeport  as  elsewhere.  The  death  of  the  above  mentioned  or- 
ganizations merely  means,  if  interpreted  aright,  that  no  reform  movement  which 
does  not  "mean  business"  can  long  endure,  and  certain  of  Freeport's  temperance 
organizations,  before  their  demise,  were  doing  very  little  active  work.  The 
W.  C.  T.  U.,  on  the  other  hand,  has  always  been  most  active,  and  has  always 
carried  the  greater  burden  of  the  good  work  on  its  own  shoulders. 

It  was  founded  on  the  roth  of  April,  1874,  when  a  meeting  of  the  ladies  of 
Freeport  who  were  interested  in  the  cause  of  temperance,  was  held  in  the  First 
Methodist  church,  with  a  view  to  ascertaining  what  means  could  be  best  em- 
ployed in  the  undertaking  on  which  they  were  engaged.  Mrs.  E.  M.  Marsh 
(deceased),  who  afterward  became  identified  with  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  for  many 
years  acted  as  chairman,  and  Mrs.  J.  R.  Lemon  was  the  secretary.  At  this 
meeting  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  was  organized  and  there  were  present  Mrs.  F.  O.  Mil- 
ler, Mrs.  Isaac  F.  Kleckner,  Mrs.  E.  Hemenway,  Mrs.  A.  W.  Ford,  Mrs.  J.  S. 
Best,  Mrs.  L.  Fisher  and  others.  Mrs.  Lemon  was  elected  the  first  president,  Mrs. 
Kleckner  secretary,  and  Miss  A.  Jenks  treasurer.  Among  the  ladies  still  resid- 
ing in  Freeport  who  have  since  headed  the  local  W.  C.  T.  U.,  are  Mrs.  A.  K. 
Stibgen,  Mrs.  Robert  Bell,  Mrs.  W.  O.  Wright,  and  Mrs.  L.  B.  Sanborn. 

On  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  society,  in  1889, 
appropriate  exercises  were  held  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  auditorium.  Papers  were 
read  by  Mrs.  A.  W.  Ford  and  Mrs.  Emily  V.  Keever  and  Mrs.  Louise  Rounds, 
at  that  time  state  president  also  addressed  the  gathering.  The  papers  and  dis- 
cussion which  formed  the  program  of  the  occasion  recalled  the  work  which  had 


493  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

been  accomplished  in  the  lifetime  of  the  Freeport  W.  C.  T.  U.,  the  mass  meet- 
ings which  had  been  held,  the  various  crusades  which  had  been  conducted 
against  drink,  and  the  number  of  persons  reclaimed  from  the  evil  effects  of  the 
habit.  The  work  within  the  last  ten  years  has  been  particularly  gratifying. 
However,  it  has  been  conducted  in  a  quiet  and  unpretentious  manner,  and  very 
little  publicity  has  been  given  to  it. 

The  society  now  in  existence  numbers  about  -  members.  The  offi- 
cers for  the  year  are:  President,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Manchester;  vice  president,  Mrs. 
J.  J.  Nagle;  secretary,  Mrs.  Anna  Alexander;  corresponding  secretary,  Mrs. 
Nellie  Effinger;  treasurer,  Miss  Jeannette  Engle. 


FREEPORT    AUDUBON    SOCIETY. 

Within  the  last  few  years  a  growing  sentiment  for  the  preservation  of  our 
songsters  has  manifested  itself  throughout  the  entire  country.  The  Freeport 
Audubon  Society,  perhaps  more  commonly  known  as  the  Bird  Club,  has  been 
a  direct  outgrowth  of  this  sentiment.  Miss  Edna  Porter  was  the  founder  of 
the  society.  It  was  established  four  years  ago,  by  ten  ladies  interested  in  the 
study  and  preservation  of  birds,  and  has  been  very  active  since  that  time  in 
carrying  out  its  purpose.  The  members,  whose  number  is  limited  to  twenty- 
five,  meet  every  two  weeks  at  one  other's  homes  and  carry  out  programs  con- 
sisting of  papers  and  informal  discussions.  The  club  is  very  enthusiastic  about 
its  work,  and  is  one  of  the  most  wide-awake  organizations  of  the  city.  It  aims 
to  teach  its  members  and  -the  community  as  well  of  the  nature,  appearance,  and 
habits  of  the  feathered  tribe,  and  is  taking  all  the  steps  in  its  power  to  prevent 
the  possible  extermination  or  thinning  out  of  the  song-birds  of  this  region,  many 
species  of  which  are  rapidly  becoming  depleted. 

Each  member  makes  it  a  personal  matter  to  do  all  she  can  in  this  direction. 
An  illustrative  incident  occurred  very  recently.  A  small  boy  «vho  evidently 
didn't  know  any  better,  was  seen  to  enter  a  yard,  pick  up  a  baby  robin,  which 
had  apparently  fallen  out  of  the  nest  before  able  to  fly,  play  with  it,  and  then 
throw  it  away  after  having  handled  it  pretty  roughly  and  broken  both  of  its  wings, 
The  matter  was  reported  to  one  of  the  members  of  the  Audubon  Society.  After 
having  ascertained  the  name  of  the  small  offender,  she  made  it  her  business 
to  see  him  personally  and  talk  with  him  on  the  subject  of  birds.  So  success- 
fully did  she  accomplish  her  purpose  that  the  boy  was  much  affected  and  prom- 
ised never  to  torture  any  robins  in  the  future. 

During  the  past  winter,  the  Audubon  Society  held  a  public  illustrated  lec- 
ture on  the  subject  of  birds.  The  lecture  was  one  sent  out  by  the  State  Audubon 
Society.  The  colored  slides  were  also  provided  and  the  lecture  was  read  by  one 
of  the  members.  This  practice  will  probably  be  continued  in  future  years,  but 
no  definite  plans  have  been  made  to  that  effect. 

The  Audubon  Society  has  become  very  popular  during  the  past  year.  A 
large  number  of  names  are  on  the  waiting  list,  but  the  membership  is  limited 
to  twenty-five,  and  all  are  active  and  enthusiastic  members.  The  ten  ladies  who 
organized  the  club  are  still  on  the  roll  of  active  members.  For  the  first  two  years 


AUDITOKirM  AT  OAKDALE  PARK 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEFHENSON  COUNTY  497 

of  the  club's  existence,  Miss  Louise  Morgan  served  as  president.  She  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Miss  Marion  Clark,  who  has  also  served  for  two  terms.  The  names 
of  the  charter  members  who  founded  the  society  four  years  ago  are : 

Mrs.  J.  Clark,  Mrs.  E.  Morgan,  Miss  Louise  Morgan,  Miss  Flora  Morgan, 
Miss  Marion  Clark,  Miss  Laura  Clark,  Miss  Edna  Porter,  Mrs.  L.  G.  Young- 
love,  Miss  Mae  Stewart,  and  Miss  Belle  Gransden. 


STEPHENSON    COUNTY    MEDICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  original  Stephenson  County  Medical  Society  was  organized  in  1865,  with 
Dr.  L.  A.  Mease  as  its  first  president.  For  some  few  years  affairs  were  con- 
ducted regularly,  and  meetings  held  on  stated  occasions.  But  the  attendance 
became  small,  duties  were  neglected,  and  the  interest  waned.  For  a  short  time, 
there  was  no  county  medical  society. 

In  June,  1878,  the  society  was  reorganized  under  the  name  of  the  Stephenson 
County  Society  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  and  the  following  officers  were 
elected:  President,  F.  W.  Hance;  vice  president,  L.  A.  Mease;  secretary  and 
treasurer,  Charles  Brundage. 

The  new  society  consisted  of  nine  members :  L.  G.  Voigt,  L.  A.  Mease,  C.  M. 
Hillebrand,  F.  W.  Hance,  C.  B.  Wright,  E.  A.  Carpenter,  Charles  Brundage, 
Louis  Stoskopf,  and  B.  T.  Buckley.  The  society  soon  took  in  the  following 
additional  members:  I.  P.  Fishburn,  and  S.  K.  Martin,  Dakota,  and  T.  L.  Carey, 
Lena. 

For  some  years  the  society  was  neither  active  nor  well  patronized.  One 
cause  or  another,  usually  professional  jealousy,  kept  the  membership  list  from 
growing,  and  the  Stephenson  County  Society  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  was 
not  known  as  an  active  and  energetic  organization.  But  within  the  last  few  years 
a  remarkable  growth  has  taken  place.  About  all  the  physicians  in  good  stand- 
ing in  the  'county  are  members  of  the  association,  both  in  Freeport  and  in  the 
villages  of  the  county.  A  few  years  ago  the  name  was  again  changed  to  the 
"Stephenson  County  Medical  Association,"  by  which  it  has  since  continued  to  be 
designated. 

There  are  thirty-eight  active  members  in  good  standing  and  four  honorary 
members.  The  membership  list  follows.  In  all  cases,  except  where  otherwise 
specified,  the  members  are  Freeporters.  The  list  includes  B.  A.  Arnold,  E.  H. 
Best,  Paul  Burrell  (Winslow),  E.  E.  Burwell,  R.  J.  Burns,  C.  L.  Best,  J.  S. 
Clark,  J.  N.  Daly  (Orangeville),  F.  A.  Dietrich,  B.  Erp-Brockhausen,  J.  F. 
Fair,  T.  J.  Holke,  W.  A.  Hutchins  (Orangeville),  Linda  Hutchins,  N.  R.  Har- 
lan,  Sara  Hewitson,  W.  Karcher,  A.  F.  Kober  (McConnell),  C.  P.  Leitzell  (Da- 
kota), F.  J.  Lins  (Durand),  D.  C.  L.  Mease,  H.  E.  Morrison,  W.  B.  Peck, 
N.  C.  Phillips,  W.  J.  Rideout,  Mary  L.  Rosenstiel,  A.  Salter,  M.  Saucerman 
(Rock  Grove),  J.  H.  Stealy,  W.  B.  Stiver,  R.  J.  Stiver  (Lena),  A.  E.  Smith, 
K.  F.  Snyder,  E.  J.  Torey,  S.  C.  Thompson  (Cedarville),  E.  A.  Carpenter 
(Baileyville),  L.  G.  Voigt,  A.  A.  Wilson  (Davis),  J.  G.  Woker  (Pearl  City). 

The  honorary  members  are:  R.  F.  Hayes,  C.  M.  Hillebrand,  D.  B.  Bobb  (Da- 
kota), and  J.  W.  Saucerman  (Winslow). 


498  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  officers  of  the  present  association  are:  President,  A.  E.  Smith,  vice 
president,  B.  Erp-Brockhausen ;  secretary,  J.  Sheldon  Clark;  treasurer,  D.  C.  L. 
Mease. 

Meetings  are  held  quarterly  subject  to  call  by  the  president  of  the  society. 

FREEPORT   CLUB. 

The  Freeport  Club  is  an  organization  of  which  the  business  men  of  Free- 
port  are  justly  proud.  It  possesses  a  club  house  which  for  convenience  and 
elegance  of  appointments  is  hardly  surpassed  by  any  similar  building  in  a  city  of 
this  size.  For  twenty  years  it  has  been  in  existence  during  which  time  it  has 
maintained  the  high  standard  of  excellence  set  by  its  founders. 

On  October  21,  1890,  the  organization  was  completed  by  twenty-nine  of  Free- 
port's  business  men  and  the  present  Freeport  Club  was  founded.  Previous  to 
that  time  a  club  had  been  maintained  by  ten  of  the  men  who  now  went  into  the 
Freeport  Club.  This  club  maintained  a  club  room  in  the  Wilcoxin  building,  then 
known  as  the  Opera  House  Block.  When  the  Freeport  Club  was  formally  in- 
stituted the  club  rooms  were  moved  from  the  Opera  House  Block  across  the 
street  to  a  room  which  is  now  occupied  by  the  C.  E.  Wilkins  photograph  gallery. 
The  twenty-nine  men  whose  names  are  to  be  found  on  the  original  document  of 
the  Freeport  Club  are:  Wallace  Collins,  Boyd  P.  Hill,  W.  Ensign  Boyington, 
F.  A.  Read,  James  W.  Hyde,  W.  A.  Stevens,  Alfred  Brown,  John  S.  Harp- 
ster,  Dwight  B.  Breed,  Edward  Winslow,  C.  C.  Hanford,  W.  E.  Fry,  Henry  J. 
Porter,  Charles  A.  McNamara,  John  A.  Martin,  Mathias  Hettinger,  Jr.,  Charles 
D.  Knowlton,  Arthur  Rodearmel,  Lalon  Z.  Farwell,  W.  H.  Taggart,  Michael 
Stoskopf,  Charles  E.  Scott,  W.  S.  Benson,  Horace  Webster,  Addison  Bidwell, 
Dr.  E.  H.  Allen,  William  J.  Hall,  Frederick  Bartlett  and  Robert  Hall  Wiles. 

Soon  after  organization  a  large  number  of  new  members  were  accepted  into 
the  club,  which  then  entered  upon  a  season  of  rapid  and  promising  growth. 
Charles  D.  Knowlton  was  elected  president,  and  retained  his  office  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  His  successors  have  been  Boyd  P.  Hill,  Michael  Stoskopf,  and 
L.  Z.  Farwell,  the  present  officer.  Mr.  Farwell  has  occupied  the  chair  for  the 
past  nine  years  and  has  proved  himself  an  able  and  efficient  president. 

Three  years  after  the  organization  of  the  club  it  was  found  advisable  to 
change  quarters.  The  room  on  Stephenson  street  had  become  too  small  to 
suit  the  needs  of  the  growing  society  and  the  officers  began  to  look  about  for 
a  site  for  a  club  house.  At  this  time  they  made  a  very  fortunate  "find."  The 
present  club  property  on  Stephenson  street  was  then  owned  by  ex-mayor  Ja- 
cob Krohn,  who  had  become  a  member  of  the  club.  Circumstances  made  it 
necessary  for  Mr.  Krohn  to  move,  and  he  offered  to  sell  his  home  to  the  Free- 
port  Club  for  use  as  a  club  house  at  a  very  small  figure.  The  club  found  the 
Krohn  property  admirably  suited  to  its  needs  and  closed  the  bargain  at  once. 
The  house  was  secured  for  the  sum  of  $5,500,  which  now  seems  ridiculously 
small,  as  the  house  and  lot  are  at  present  valued  at  a  much  larger  sum. 

On  July  8,  1893,  the  club  moved  from  its  cramped  quarters  down  town  and 
six  days  later,  on  the  I4th,  the  house  warming  was  held,  an  occasion  which 
will  long  be  remembered  by  the  older  members  of  the  organization.  The 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  499 

building  has  been  occupied  during  the  seventeen  years  which  have  passed  since 
that  date,  and  numerous  improvements  have  been  made  upon  the  property,  rais- 
ing its  present  value  to  something  over  $10,000. 

Among  the  additions  made  have  been  the  bowling  alley,  ball  room,  billiard 
room  and  tennis  court.  The  bowling  alley  was  built  in  at  the  rear  of  the  build- 
ing, a  special  structure  being  erected  for  the  purpose  about  ten  years  ago.  At 
the  time  the  club  members  took  a  great  interest  in  the  sport.  Various  teams 
known  by  the  names  of  Rough  Rollers,  Smooth  Rollers,  Smith  P.  I.'s,  etc., 
were  organized  and  captained  by  enthusiastic  members,  and  two  silver  cups 
on  the  mantel  over  the  fireplace  of  the  reading  room  give  evidence  of  the  one 
time  interest  in  the  game. 

The  club  house  ball  room  has  been  the  scene  of  many  a  brilliant  function 
since  its  equipment  not  a  decade  ago.  The  floor  is  one  of  the  best  dance 
floors  in  the  city  and  the  room  itself  while  somewhat  small  is  quite  adequate 
to  the  needs  of  the  club  and  has  been  used  and  enjoyed  continuously  by  the 
members  and  their  families.  The  billiard  room  and  tenis  court  have  also  been  in 
constant  use,  and  the  club  men  and  their  families  have  derived  a  great  deal  of 
pleasure  and  enjoyment  from  the  use  of  them. 

Among  the  customs  instituted  by  the  club  have  been  the  annual  New  Year's 
ball  on  New  Year's  eve  for  the  purpose  of  watching  the  old  year  out  and  the 
new  year  in,  and  the  annual  Fourth  of  July  fete  on  the  club  lawn.  A  large 
amount  of  money  has  been  expended  at  these  fetes  in  securing  displays  of  fire- 
works, and  the  results  have  always  been  highly  satisfactory,  the  spectators  al- 
ways enthusiastically  reporting  a  most  enjoyable  time. 

The  club  is  now  established  on  a  firm  basis  as  one  of  Freeport's  oldest  so- 
cial organizations,  and,  in  fact,  the  only  one  of  its  especial  kind.  It  is  the  only 
club  affording  a  means  of  entertainment  to  both  members  and  their  families 
and  out  of  town  friends.  As  such  it  is  assured  of  a  continued  prosperity.  The 
present  officers  of  the  club  are :  president,  L.  Z.  Farwell ;  vice  president,  T.  H. 
Hollister;  secretary,  Norman  Tuckett;  treasurer,  J.  Manly  Clark. 

The  present  membership  is  eighty-six  active  members.  There  are  also  a 
number  of  honorary  members. 

LAKOTA    CLUB. 

The  Lakota  Club  is  a  club  made  up  of  the  younger  business  men  of  Free- 
port.  It  is  exclusively  a  social  organization,  and  possesses  a  handsome  (if  some- 
what diminutive)  club  house  in  West  Freeport  on  the  Schofield  property. 

The  Lakota  Club  had  its  inception  two  years  ago  in  June,  1908.  when  seven 
young  men  who  found  themselves  congenial  and  united  by  the  common  bond 
of  bachelordom,  met  and  formulated  plans  for  the  organization  of  a  social  club. 
These  seven  young  men,  who  are  still,  with  one  single  exception,  members  of 
the  club  today  were :  Raymond  S.  Wise,  Dr.  J.  Sheldon  Clark,  Jos.  Sibley,  George 
Creighton,  F.  A.  McNess,  F.  H.  Bowers,  and  Mentor  Wheat.  A  committee  was 
immediately  appointed  to  look  over  the  various  properties  in  and  around  Free- 
port  which  would  afford  a  suitable  location  for  a  club  house. 

After  some  deliberation  the  committee  selected  as  a  site  the  land  north  of 
Stephenson  street  owned  by  Ira  Schofield,  which  was  then  known  as  Schofield's 


500  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Park.  The  park  contained  a  miniature  lake  which  afforded  excellent  facilities 
for  bathing  in  summer  and  skating  in  winter.  In  addition  to  this  the  situation 
was  quite  ideal  in  all  other  respects  for  the  location  of  a  country  club.  It  is  a 
somewhat  retired  glen,  sloping  somewhat  from  the  road  and  invisible  through  a 
grove  of  tall  spreading  trees.  The  land  leased  by  the  Lakota  Club  surrounds 
the  lake  and  extends  south  nearly  to  trie  street. 

It  was  not  until  the  work  of  equipping  the  club  house  was  under  way  that 
the  subject  of  a  name  for  the  club  was  broached.  It  was  then  decided  to  call 
the  club  by  the  Indian  name  of  "Lakota"  which  means  "Our  Allies"  or  "Our 
Friends." 

The  club  house  has  been  well  fitted  out.  It  contains  an  excellent  dance  floor 
as  well  as  all  the  other  attachments  of  an  up-to-date  club  house. 

Last  year  the  Lakota  Club  instituted  the  custom  of  giving  monthly  Sunday 
receptions  to  their  friends  and  their  wives.  The  club  house  and  grounds  were 
admirably  suited  to  giving  receptions  of  this  sort  and  the  townspeople  who  en- 
joyed the  out-of-door  afternoons  feel  deeply  indebted  to  the  Lakota  men  for 
their  kindness  in  entertaining  them.  The  practice  has  not  been  continued  this 
spring  but  will  probably  be  begun  again  this  summer.  The  latest  project  of 
the  Lakotas  is  to  secure  the  Ben  Greet  Players  to  give  a  performance  on  the 
Lakota  grounds  which  are  very  well  adapted  to  this  sort  of  sylvan  produc- 
tion. 

While  the  Lakota  Club  is  one  of  the  newest  circles  of  the  city  in  respect 
to  years,  none  is  more  firmly  established  and  none  enjoys  a  greater  social  prestige. 
The  membership  of  the  club  has  now  increased  to  ten.  The  officers  of  the  club 
which  have  remained  the  same  since  the  founding  are :  President,  Raymond  S. 
Wise;  vice  president,  Mentor  Wheat;  secretary,  Dr.  Clark;  treasurer  (ist  year), 
George  Creighton,  (2nd  year),  F.  W.  McNess. 

GERMANIA    SOCIETY. 

The  Germania  Society,  as  a  separate  organization,  dates  back  only  as  far  as 
1877,  but  in  reality  it  existed  for  many  years  before  that  in  the  shape  of  two 
distinct  societies ;  The  Freeport  Saengerbund,  and  the  Freeport  Turn-Verein. 
Of  the  two,  the  history  of  the  Saengerbund  has  been  preserved  with  more 
fidelity,  but  the  early  records  of  both  are  entirely  lost,  and  the  charter  members 
of  both  organizations  have  long  been  dead. 

In  1855,  ^e  Saengerbund  was  organized  and  in  1865  the  Turn-Verein.  The 
membership  lists  of  both  clubs  immediately  grew  to  large  proportions  and  before 
long  nearly  every  influential  German  citizen  of  Freeport  belonged  to  one  society 
or  the  other.  At  that  time  the  German  population  of  Freeport  was  for  the 
most  part  made  up  of  people  who  had  been  born  and  bred  in  Germany,  and  the 
customs  of  the  Fatherland  were  fresh  in  their  minds.  Of  late  years,  the  activity 
of  the  Germania  Society  has  somewhat  decreased,  and  for  a  very  obvious  reason. 
The  younger  generation  have  little  or  no  interest  in  the  preservation  of  German 
customs  and  traditions.  They  are  to  be  American  citizens  and  their  whole  in- 
terest is  centered  on  the  new  country.  For  this  reason,  if  for  no  other,  the  Ger- 
mania Society  is  an  object  of  marked  interest  to  the  historian — because  in  another 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  501 

generation  or  two  it  will  be  a  thing  of  the  past.  During  its  existence  it  has  been 
one  of  the  most  active  organizations  of  the  city,  but  many  of  the  old  members  are 
gone,  and  the  activity  is  waning.  It  is  useless  to  hope  for  a  very  vigorous  re- 
suscitation, for  the  interest  is  dying  a  natural  death,  and  the  members  of  the 
Germania  are  directing  the  bulk  of  their  efforts  elsewhere. 

The  Turn-Verein  and  the  Saengerbund  were  long  regarded  as  the  most  pop- 
ular and  important  organizations  of  their  kind  in  nothern  Illinois.  The  Turn- 
Verein  was  established  in  August,  1856,  and  sought  excellence  among  its  mem- 
bers not  only  in  music,  but  also  in  athletic  sports.  It  erected  the  structure 
formerly  known  as  Turner  hall,  now  Germania  hall,  on  Galena  street  between 
Adams  and  Mechanic  streets,  in  1869,  at  a  cost  of  $18,000.  Germania  hall  is 
still  in  use,  and  for  a  long  time  was  the  only  opera  house  of  the  city.  The  hall 
contains  the  rooms  of  the  Germania  Society  on  the  ground  floor  and  a  spacious 
auditorium  with  a  stage  on  the  second  floor,  where  the  meetings  of  the  Saenger- 
bund are  held  and  their  entertainments  given. 

The  Saengerbund  was  organized  less  than  a  year  earlier  than  the  Turn- 
Verein,  in  December,  1855,  and  had  as  its  object  the  formation  of  a  musical 
society,  vocal  and  instrumental,  among  the  German  section  of  the  population. 
On  Saturday  evening,  December  15,  in  response  to  an  appeal  from  the  "Deut- 
scher  Anzeiger,"  twenty  men,  both  old  and  young,  assembled  in  the  hall  on  the 
third  floor  of  the  Hoebel  building,  at  present  79  Stephenson  street,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  organizing  the  Saengerbund.  The  first  president  was  Mr.  Carl  Strohacker, 
and  Mr.  John  Geiger  long  held  the  office  of  secretary.  The  following  were 
among  the  charter  members  :  William  Bergholte,  Philip  Fleischmann,  John  Geiger, 
George  Held,  John,  Philip,  and  Peter  Hoebel,  Louis  Jungkunz,  Joseph  Lampert, 
Carl  Schoen,  H.  Schrenkler,  John  M.  and  Henry  Spratler,  Carl  Strohacker, 
and  William  Wagner,  Sr.  Philip  Knecht,  a  German  teacher,  who  had  but  a 
few  years  pervious  come  to  Freeport  from  Rhenish  Bavaria,  was  unanimously 
chosen  director,  a  position  which  he  continued  to  fill  for  eight  years  in  a  very 
creditable  manner. 

The  first  rehearsal  of  the  Saengerbund  took  place  on  Friday  evening,  Decem- 
ber 2ist,  of  the  same  year,  in  the  same  hall  in  which  the  organization  of  the  Bund 
was  perfected,  and  for  the  following  fifty-five  years  from  that  time  to  the 
present  rehearsals  have  been  held  every  Friday  evening  except  in  unusual  cases. 
The  first  social  entertainment  was  held  on  January  27,  1856,  and  bi-weekly  so- 
cial gatherings  continued  to  be  held  for  many  years,  at  first  in  the  afternoons, 
later  in  the  evening. 

The  first  public  event  fostered  by  the  Saengerbund  was  a  public  concert  held 
in  Phoenix  hall,  on  Easter  Monday,  March  24,  1856,  followed  by  a  dance.  The 
reports  of  the  affair  are  meagre  but  those  which  exist  in  the  "Anzeiger"  seem  to 
proclaim  the  attempt  as  a  decided  success. 

In  1856,  the  Turn-Verein  was  organized,  and  it  also  started  a  singing  so- 
ciety. The  two  societies  worked  hand  in  hand  for  a  long  time.  Many  of  the 
German  citizens  were  members  of  both  Saengerbund  and  Turn-Verein,  and 
everyone  of  consequence  thought  it  necessary  to  be  a  member  of  at  least  one 
of  them.  Mr.  Knecht.  leader  of  the  Saengerbund,  became  also  the  leader  of  the 
Turn-Verein.  and,  while  there  was  always  a  certain  rivalry,  friendly  but  very 


502  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

much  in  earnest,  existing  between  the  two  societies,  still  on  many  occasions  the 
two  joined  forces  and  forgot  all  their  differences.  On  November  10,  1859,  at 
the  celebration  held  in  commemoration  of  Schiller's  birth,  the  two  choruses  sang 
together  and  each  rendered  two  selections  independently.  About  the  same  time, 
the  Saengerbund  took  an  active  interest  in  a  National  Saengerfest  held  in  Chi- 
cago by  the  North  American  Saengerbund,  but  the  details  of  this  event  are  en- 
tirely lacking. 

In  1863,  the  society  had  increased  in  membership  to  a  large  extent  and  larger 
quarters  were  necessary.  Accordingly,  in  February,  of  the  next  year,  they  moved 
to  the  rooms  in  the  building  at  100-102  Stephenson  street,  which  had  formerly 
been  occupied  by  the  Masonic  lodges.  In  the  same  year,  Mr.  Knecht  resigned 
as  director  and  William  H.  Wagner  was  chose.n  by  the  Bund  to  fill  his  place. 
Mr.  Wagner  was  young  in  years  and  experience,  but  he  was  not  lacking  in  cour- 
age or  enthusiasm,  and  so  it  came  about  that  he  filled  the  position,  with  oc- 
casional temporary  intervals  of  rest,  for  a  period  of  thirty-three  years.  At  that 
time,  the  director  received  no  stipulated  salary,  but  from  time  to  time  benefit 
concerts  were  given  for  him,  and  considerable  sums  were  occasionally  realized. 

About  the  beginning  of  1866  the  Saengerbund  again  moved  its  base  of  oper- 
ations to  the  Hettinger  building.  In  the  meantime  the  singing  of  the  society  was 
constantly  improving,  and  at  a  concert  given  by  the  Bund  at  Mineral  Point,  Wis- 
consin, the  singers,  and  especially  the  young  director,  received  an  ovation  for 
the  manner  in  which  they  acquitted  themselves. 

The  Saengerbound  of  the  northwest  held  a  fest  in  Galena  from  the  i7th  to 
the  I9th  of  June,  1869,  and,  although  the  Freeport  society  was  not  a  member 
of  that  organization  at  the  time,  the  Galena  people  extended  them  an  invitation 
to  attend,  which  invitation  was  gladly  accepted.  For  some  reason  the  Freeport 
singers  arrived  at  Galena  in  advance  of  any  of  the  other  societies,  and  on  the 
occasion  of  the  first  concert  the  Freeport  and  Galena  associations  were  the  only 
ones  present.  Tradition  says  that  the  Galena  Fest-President  in  his  address  com- 
mended the  Freeport  Saengerbund  upon  this  fact,  and  called  them  "a  model  so- 
ciety." 

In  1870  arrangements  for  a  private  Saengerfest  were  perfected  and  an  invi- 
tation was  extended  to  all  German  singing  societies  within  a  radius  of  one 
hundred  miles.  The  fest  was  held  from  the  I4th  to  the  i6th  of  June,  and  was 
participated  in  by  singers  from  Davenport  and  Dubuque,  Iowa,  Mineral  Point, 
Janesville,  and  Burlington,  Wisconsin,  Galena,  Sterling,  Rockford,  Mendota, 
Lena,  and  Davis,  Illinois.  The  Dixon  and  Amboy  societies  did  not  send  singers, 
but  were  represented  by  delegates,  and  the  people  from  Davenport,  Dubuque, 
and  Mineral  Point  were  accompanied  by  bands.  The  grand  chorus  comprised 
about  two  hundred  voices,  and  was  assisted  by  the  visiting  bands  and  the  local 
Union  Cornet  Band.  Addresses  were  delivered  on  the  occasion  of  the  gather- 
ing by  Mr.  Caspar  Butz,  of  Chicago,  who  spoke  in  German,  and  Hon.  Thomas 
J.  Turner,  of  Freeport,  who  spoke  in  English.  The  event  aroused  great  enthusi- 
asm and  was  pronounced  a  decided  success. 

In  1875,  the  Turn-Verein  presented  the  whole  of  Carl  Maria  von  Weber's 
opera  "Der  Freischuetz,"  under  the  direction  of  Professor  E.  Bischoff.  On  this 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  503 

occasion,  some  members  of  the  Saengerbund  also  assisted  and  aided  in  making 
the  affair  a  great  success. 

In  1877,  it  was  decided  that  the  Saengerfest  of  the  Northwest  Saengerbund 
should  be  held  in  Freeport.  On  this  occasion  Mr.  W.  H.  Wagner,  director  of 
the  Saengerbund,  did  not  feel  competent  to  conduct  the  concerts  of  the  organiza- 
tion and  temporarily  turned  over  his  baton  to  Mr.  Bischoff,  leader  of  the  Turn- 
Verein.  Under  Mr.  Bischoffs  direction,  the  fest  was  held.  The  attendance  was 
not  much  greater  than  that  at  the  private  Saengerfest  of  seven  years  previous, 
and  only  about  one  hundred  and  seventy  visiting  singers  were  present.  This 
was  due  to  the  fact  that  only  one  society  from  Milwaukee  appeared  in  a  body  and 
two  of  the  other  societies  merely  sent  delegates.  It  was  a  great  disappointment 
to  the  local  fest  committee,  who  had  expected  the  Milwaukee  singers  to  turn  out 
en  masse;  but  from  a  musical  standpoint,  the  fest  could  not  have  achieved  a 
greater  success.  Bach's  Ochestra  from  Milwaukee  furnished  the  instrumental 
music  and  all  of  the  grand  choruses  were  rendered  with  orchestral  accom- 
paniment. 

One  of  the  immediate  results  of  the  Saengerfest  of  1877  was  the  union  of  the 
Saengerbund  and  Turn-Verein  who  combined  in  the  hope  of  becoming  a  more 
influential  factor  in  the  German  life  of  the  city.  The  organization  took  on  the 
new  name  of  the  Germania  society,  and  Turner  hall  was  rechristened  Germania 
hall.  In  1882,  the  hall  was  entirely  rebuilt  and  remodelled  and  as  a  dedication, 
a  grand  concert  was  arranged,  at  which  part  of  Flotow's  "Stradella"  was  pro- 
duced. The  several  roles  on  this  occasion  were  sung  by  local  talent,  Miss  Anna 
Meyer  (now  Mrs.  Louis  Biersach),  Mr.  H.  W.  Schroeder,  Mr.  Ben  Stoneman, 
and  Mr.  R.  Hefti  taking  the  leading  parts.  A  chorus  of  forty  voices  accom- 
panied their  efforts,  and  all  the  records  of  the  occasion  unite  in  declaring  that 
the  event  was  unquestionably  one  of  the  best  ever  given  under  the  auspices  of 
the  Germania  Society. 

In  1887,  the  official  body  of  the  Saengerbund  of  the  northwest  solicited  the 
local  society  to  undertake  another  Saengerfest.  This  was  accordingly  done.  At 
both  of  the  previous  fests,  Wilcoxin's  Opera  House  had  been  utilized  as  a  con- 
cert hall,  but  directors  feared  that  the  size  of  the  new  audience  would  prohibit 
that.  They  made  arrangements  for  the  use  of  Taylor's  Park  and  had  a  great 
singing  platform  built  in  front  of  the  grand  stand  for  the  accomodation  of  the 
choruses.  The  events  justified  their  expectations,  for  over  four  hundred  visiting 
singers  were  in  attendance,  and  the  platform  was  crowded.  Concerts  were  given 
afternoon  and  evening,  and  large  audiences  heard  all  of  them.  The  fest  was 
a  great  success,  and  even  the  weather  man  was  kind  until  the  last  day  when  he 
sent  down  a  pour  of  rain.  The  rain  somewhat  dampened  the  ardor  of  the 
audiences,  and  the  treasury  of  the  society  suffered  in  consequence.  However, 
owing  to  the  generosity  of  J.  B.  Taylor,  owner  of  the  park,  who  gave  almost 
the  free  use  of  the  grounds  for  the  occasion,  the  deficit  was  avoided. 

In  1896,  a  split  occurred  within  the  ranks  of  the  Germania  Society.  The 
Turn-Verein  and  Saengerbund  had  supposedly  worked  side  by  side  through  the 
years  in  perfect  harmony,  but  in  reality  there  had  been  an  undercurrent  of  dis- 
satisfaction. This  was  brought  to  the  surface  in  February,  1896,  in  the  with- 
drawal of  the  Saengerbund  division  of  the  Germania  Society,  which  for  a  while 


504  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

continued  to  hold  its  meetings  in  Blust  hall.  Scarcely  a  year  later,  they  decided 
that  "in  union  there  is  strength"  and,  having  overcome  their  old  differences,  and 
healed  their  old  wounds,  they  again  allied  themselves  with  the  Turn-Verein  and 
continued  to  hold  their  meetings  in  Germania  hall.  From  that  time  the  society 
has  been  united  and  no  differences  have  occurred. 

On  July  3rd  and  4th,  1905,  occurred  the  Fiftieth  Anniversary  of  the  found- 
ing of  the  Saengerbund,  and,  in  commemoration  of  the  event  high  festival  was 
held.  Many  singing  societies  from  out  of  town  attended,  and  Professor  Theodore 
H.  Trost,  director  of  the  local  society,  wielded  the  baton.  July  4th  was  observed 
by  appropriate  Independence  Day  exercises,  and  July  3rd  was  marked  by  the 
holding  of  two  concerts.  In  addition  to  the  out  of  town  Saengerbunds,  several 
soloists  of  national  reputation  were  secured,  and  the  Germania  Society  received 
their  guests  royally. 

Since  that  time,  the  Germania  Society  has  done  nothing  in  a  public  way,  but 
has  continued  to  conduct  the  business  of  its  organization  without  interruption. 
The  president  of  the  society  for  the  current  year  is  Charles  G.  Steffen,  with  F. 
P.  Ohden  acting  as  secretary.  The  club  meets  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  the 
month  in  the  club  rooms  in  Germania  hall. 

COUNTY    CLUB. 

The  County  Club,  which  represents  the  interests  of  the  Republican  party 
in  Freeport  and  the  county,  was  founded  in  1899  and  has  been  in  existence  for 
about  eleven  years.  Before  its  organization  a  need  for  a  club  of  the  kind  had 
long  been  felt,  and  several  abortive  attempts  had  been  made  to  establish  one. 

On  August  30,  1899,  the  present  County  Club  was  organized  and  incorporated 
under  the  Illinois  state  laws  with  a  membership  of  forty-one  Republicans  of 
Freeport  and  the  surrounding  country.  On  October  5th  of  the  same  year  the 
first  meeting  was  held  and  Robert  P.  Eckert  was  elected  president  of  the  or- 
ganization. The  object  of  the  County  Club  as  stated  in  its  charter  was  "to 
advance  the  science  of  political  Economy ;  to  promote  friendly  and  social  re- 
lations between  its  members ;  to  levy  and  collect  dues ;  to  exert  such  influence 
and  render  such  service  as  it  can  in  behalf  of  good  government,  and  to  promote 
the  growth  and  spread  of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party.  The  forty- 
one  members  whose  names  were  affixed  to  the  original  document  were: 

James  E.  Taggart,  Robert  P.  Eckert,  William  H.  Foil,  J.  R.  Young,  Louis 
H.  Burrell,  Homer  F.  Aspinwall,  Oscar  E.  Heard,  B.  H.  Brundage,  J.  L.  Mey- 
ers, W.  A.  Stevens,  R.  W.  Burton,  A.  Grier,  F.  C.  Held.  H.  W.  Bolender, 
James  B.  McCool,  C.  L.  Snyder,  J.  H.  Firestone,  G.  A.  Huenkemeier,  J.  F. 
Fair,  E.  L.  Stewart,  Horatio  C.  Burchard,  C.  P.  Leitzell.  James  Rezner,  W.  A. 
Schwarze,  L.  M.  De  Vore,  James  R.  Cowley,  G.  S.  Kleckner,  Dwight  B.  Breed, 
Louis  McGovern,  J.  E.  Adatnson,  Henry  Gilbert.  W.  B.  Peck,  R.  M.  White, 
F.  P.  Waite,  W.  H.  Crotzer,  J.  M.  Fox,  Charles  F.  Rieger,  Charles  Hall,  L.  W. 
Lyon,  C.  J.  Wells,  A.  W.  Hershey. 

The  first  step  taken  by  the  club  was  the  securing  of  suitable  club  rooms 
for  the  use  of  the  members.  A  suite  of  room  on  the  second  and  third  floors  of 
the  building  over  Barrett  and  Emerick's  Jewelry  Store  was  engaged  and  has 


Dexter  A.  Knowlton,  Sr 


Dexter  A.  Knowltmi.  Jr 


August   Bergman 


Loyal  L.  Muiui 


PROMINENT  BUSINESS  MEN  OF  FBEEPORT 


LIBRARY 
OF  THE 

UNIVtKSllY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  505 

been  in  use  ever  since.  The  membership  of  the  club  is  somewhat  larger  than 
at  the  beginning,  but  has  remained  throughout  an  exclusive  organization.  The 
officers  of  the  County  Club  for  the  current  year  are :  President,  C.  W.  Harden ; 
first  vice  president,  James  E.  Taggart;  second  vice  president,  W.  W.  Krape; 
third  vice  president,  J.  R.  Young;  secretary,  T.  M.  Kaufman;  treasurer,  Boyd 
P.  Hill. 

DEMOCRATIC    CLUB. 

The  Stephenson  County  Democratic  Club,  which  is  analogous  to  the  County 
Club,  and  represents  the  interests  of  Democracy  in  Freeport  and  the  county  as 
the  former  does  the  interests  of  Republicanism,  was  founded  in  April,  1903. 
On  the  twelfth  day  of  that  month,  the  leading  democrats  of  Freeport  and  the 
county  gathered  together  and  elected  F.  Goodwin  president  of  an  organization, 
the  object  of  which  should  be  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  Democratic 
party  in  this  section  of  the  state.  Twenty-four  names  were  affixed  to  the  orig- 
inal charter,  among  them  all  the  prominent  democrats  of  Freeport. 

Rooms  were  secured  in  the  T.  K.  Best  building  on  the  corner  of  Chicago 
and  Stephenson  streets,  and  fitted  up  as  club  rooms.  These  rooms  have  ever 
since  been  maintained  and  form  a  rendezvous  for  the  good  democrats  of  the 
city  to  meet  each  other  in  a  social  and  fraternal  way.  They  contain  billiard 
and  pool  tables  and  card  tables,  and  are  in  charge  of  Thomas  Beeler,  who  acts 
as  custodian. 

The  membership  of  the  club  comprises  now  between  three  and  four  hundred 
democrats.  Regular  meetings  of  the  club  are  held  previous  to  all  elections  and 
during  campaigns.  The  present  officers  of  the  club  are  as  follows:  President, 
H.  B.  Witte;  vice  president,  Oscar  E.  Stine;  secretary,  Charles  Straub;  finan- 
cial secretary,  Al  Emerick ;  treasurer,  Ed.  Seeker ;  directors,  H.  Poffenberger, 
Douglas  Pattison,  Robert  Bruce  Mitchell,  William  Milner,  and  Christopher  J. 
Dittmar. 

CITIZEN'S  COMMERCIAL  ASSOCIATION. 

While  the  Citizen's  Commercial  Association,  as  such,  has  only  been  in  ex- 
istence a  short  time,  its  precursor,  the  Freeport  Business  Men's  Association, 
dates  back  as  far  as  1901.  On  June  7  of  that  year,  a  meeting  was  held,  at- 
tended by  the  leading  business  men  of  the  city,  at  which  steps  were  taken  to 
form  and  incorporate  an  organization  to  be  known  as  the  Business  Men's 
Association  of  Freeport.  A  short  time  later,  an  election  of  officers  was  held 
and  the  following  were  given  posts  of  honor:  C.  W.  Harden,  president;  D.  C. 
Stover,  vice  president;  F.  M.  Gund,  secretary;  R.  D.  Kuehner,  treasurer. 

This  organization  was  for  a  time  a  very  lively  one.  An  inducement  was 
made  to  get  new  factories  and  business  firms  to  locate  in  Freeport,  and  some 
very  gratifying  results  were  accomplished  along  this  line.  In  the  main,  how- 
ever, nothing  of  importance  was  done,  and  the  Business  Men's  Association 
gradually  but  surely  declined  in  activity  and  importance. 

On  October  i,  1907,  a  revival  was  accomplished  at  the  regular  meeting  held 
on  that  date.  It  was  decided  to  employ  a  regular  paid  secretary  to  give  his 
services  to  the  association,  with  the  understanding  that  he  should  transact  all 


506  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

the  business  formerly  entrusted  to  the  directors.  Wilbur  Coons  was  chosen 
for  the  position,  at  a  salary  of  $100  per  month,  with  the  agreement  that  he  was 
to  be  employed  for  six  months,  and,  at  the  end  of  that  time,  if  his  services  had 
proven  satisfactory  to  the  officers  and  directors,  he  was  to  be  retained  as  sec- 
retary at  such  salary  as  should  be  arranged  for  by  the  association. 

From  that  time  dates  the  activity  of  the  Citizen's  Commercial  Association, 
although  the  name  was  not  changed  until  over  a  year  after  that  date.  The 
activities  undertaken  by  the  association  have  been  many  and  varied,  and  the 
two  secretaries  who  have  been  in  charge  since  the  establishment  of  the  custom, 
have  succeeded  in  doing  a  great  deal  for  the  welfare  of  Freeport.  Their  work 
has  been  carried  on  rather  quietly  and  without  much  publicity ;  hence  it  is 
somewhat  difficult  to  enumerate  the  various  public  services  which  the  associa- 
tion has  succeeded  in  rendering  Freeport.  They  have  really  done  much  more 
to  promote  the  growth  of  the  city  than  would  seem  apparent  from  a  mere 
statistical  report.  Among  the  various  achievements  and  activities  of  the  past 
two  years  have  been  the  securing  of  several  new  manufacturing  establishments 
for  Freeport,  and  a  large  amount  of  improvement  and  change  within  the  city 
itself. 

The  latest  acquisition  to  the  roll  of  factories  and  manufacturing  plants  has 
been  the  Freeport  Casket  Co.  The  Commercial  Association  aided  the  gentle- 
men interested  in  the  organization  of  this  concern  to  obtain  a  factory  site  on 
Jackson  street  in  East  Freeport.  The  plant  will  be  immediately  erected,  and 
will  soon  be  one  of  the  most  prosperous  of  Freeport's  mercantile  establish- 
ments. The  association  also  bought  the  property  of  the  Freeport  Novelty 
Company,  on  Hancock  avenue,  and  in  the  buildings  formerly  occupied  by  that 
company,  they  found  quarters  for  the  new  manure  spreader  factory.  This 
property  as  well  as  some  of  the  adjoining  territory  was  purchased  from  Miss 
Millie  Baumgarten,  and  will  be  immediately  laid  out  in  factory  sites.  The 
section  of  the  city  south  of  Taylor  avenue  was  platted  out  and  organized  en- 
tirely through  the  efforts  of  the  Commercial  Association,  and  it  is  probable 
that  before  many  years  this  will  become  the  principal  manufacturing  section  of 
the  city. 

The  Moline  Plow  Company,  also,  whose  Freeport  branches  are  among  the 
largest  and  most  important  factories  owned  by  that  mammoth  concern  came 
to  Freeport  invited  by  the  Commercial  Association.  Through  their  agency,  the 
Moline  Company  bought  the  defunct  Robinson  Mfg.  Company,  and  turned  it 
into  the  Freeport  Carriage  Company,  a  branch  of  the  Moline  Plow  Company. 
An  immense  new  addition  to  the  old  factory  testifies  to  the  present  prosperity 
of  that  institution.  The  Moline  Plow  Company  was  also  induced  to  buy  the 
Henney  Buggy  Company,  and  has  since  made  improvements  and  additions  so 
extensive  that  the  Henney  factories  now  occupy  the  whole  of  the  block  bounded 
by  Chicaga,  Spring,  Van  Buren,  and  Jackson  streets.  The  building  of  the 
Jackson  street  switch,  from  the  Illinois  Central  tracks  along  Jackson  street 
to  the  Henney  plant,  was  fostered  by  the  Commercial  Association,  and  has 
since  proved  an  invaluable  asset  to  the  factory. 

Besides  the  larger  factories,  a  number  of  smaller  concerns  have  been  induced 
to  locate  in  the  city,  such  as  the  Freeport  Quilting  Company,  now  located  on 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  507 

Van  Buren  street.  Negotiations  are  at  present  under  way  which  will  doubt- 
less result  in  the  securing  of  more  of  these  concerns,  which,  though  compara- 
tively unimportant  when  compared  with  the  Stover  and  Moline  Plow  Company 
factories,  still  give  employment  to  a  large  number  of  individuals. 

The  Citizen's  Commercial  Association  has  also  been  active  in  other  direc- 
tions. One  of  their  achievements  was  the  inauguration  of  the  rest  room,  now 
located  in  the  old  post  office  rooms  of  the  Wilcoxin  block.  The  rest  room  is 
intended  for  the  accommodation  of  out-of-town  visitors,  and  especially  the 
farmers  who  come  to  Freeport  for  the  day.  It  is  well  patronized,  and  contains, 
in  addition  to  the  rest  room  itself  and  the  woman's  rest  room,  a  restaurant, 
conducted  by  F.  H.  Bear,  and  the  offices  of  the  Commercial  Association.  The 
Freeport  Woman's  Club  has  also  extended  its  aid  to  the  rest  room  project. 
The  ladies  of  that  organization  have  always  been  interested  in  the  civic  wel- 
fare of  the  city,  and  at  the  solicitation  of  the  association  they  agreed  to  raise 
the  money  to  furnish  the  room. 

The  cooperative  shop  course  now  in  effect  at  the  Freeport  high  school, 
in  accordance  with  which  the  boys  of  the  city  may  gain  an  education,  and  at 
the  same  time  work  in  the  shops  and  acquire  the  practical  experience  necessary 
for  the  pursuit  of  their  chosen  trade,  was  originated  by  the  Commercial  As- 
sociation in  consultation  with  Professors  Fulwider  and  Raines.  The  plan  fol- 
lowed enables  the  boys  to  go  to  school  one  week  and  work  in  the  factory  the 
next.  They  work  in  pairs,  one  section  going  to  school  and  the  other  to  the  shops 
for  one  week,  while  the  next  week  the  order  is  reversed.  The  system  has  been 
eminently  successful  in  Freeport  and  has  since  been  adopted  in  other  high 
schools,  being  known  as  the  "Freeport  Idea." 

Recently  the  Commercial  Association  has  been  successful  in  having  a  sub- 
postal  station  established.  The  new  station  is  in  the  Third  Ward  at  Iroquois 
Square,  at  the  junction  of  Iroquois,  Adams  and  Williams  streets,  and  is  in 
charge  of  A.  J.  Robson. 

A  step  has  also  been  taken  in  a  social  way.  Last  winter  the  society  min- 
strels were  held  in  the  Grand  Opera  House,  under  the  direction  of  Mrs.  Flor- 
ence Magill  Wallace,  of  Moline.  The  object  of  the  entertainment  was  to  pro- 
vide funds  for  the  maintenance  of  the  rest  room,  and  a  large  amount  was 
raised.  The  society  minstrels  were  so  well  attended  and  so  heartily  applauded 
that  it  is  planned  to  make  the  winter  festival  an  annual  event.  The  program 
consisted  of  a  minstrel  entertainment  and  songs,  dances  and  choruses  exclu- 
sively given  by  home  talent.  The  cafe  scene,  which  formed  the  basis  of  the 
minstrel  show,  brought  together  on  the  stage  several  dozen  of  Freeport's  popu- 
lar society  people,  all  of  whom  manifested  the  greatest  interest  in  the  project, 
and  were  present  in  a  body  either  appearing  in  the  performance  itself  or  in 
the  audience. 

Mr.  Coons,  the  first  paid  secretary  of  the  association  remained  in  the  city 
for  over  a  year  and  left  in  December,  1908.  Just  before  he  left  the  name  of 
the  organization  was  changed  from  the  Freeport  Business  Men's  Association 
to  the  Citizen's  Commercial  Association,  which  name  it  has  retained  up  to 
the  present  time.  Mr.  Coons  was  succeeded  by  Herbert  Shearer  who  remained 
in  Freeport  for  only  a  year.  During  Mr.  Shearer's  administration  rapid  prog- 


508  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ress  was  made  and  today  the  Citizen's  Commercial  Association  is  an  estab- 
lished fact,  and  is  regarded  by  all  as  the  cause  of  Freeport's  rapid  growth 
during  the  past  few  years. 

The  latest  and  one  of  the  most  important  achievements  of  the  Commercial 
Association  has  been  the  securing  of  Colonel  Roosevelt  to  speak  in  this  city  on 
September  8,  1910.  The  event  has  not  come  off  yet,  but  the  Citizen's  Com- 
mercial Association  is  almost  entirely  responsible  for  the  enthusiasm  which 
has  been  aroused  over  the  coming  of  our  ex-president.  Rockford  was  very 
anxious  to  secure  him  for  speaker  on  the  same  day,  and  it  took  a  great  deal 
of  strenuous  correspondence,  and  a  good  deal  of  hard  work  to  persuade  Colonel 
Roosevelt  to  come  to  Freeport  instead  of  the  larger  city.  It  is  quite  certain 
that  if  the  Citizens'  Commercial  Association  had  not  directed  its  efforts  toward 
bringing  the  colonel  to  Freeport,  we  should  not  have  the  pleasure  of  antici- 
pating his  visit  on  September  8th. 

At  present  Mr.  C.  H.  Wright  is  secretary.  The  membership  of  the  organ- 
ization includes  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  individuals  and  corporations,  all 
of  the  prominent  business  firms  of  Freeport  being  represented.  Mr.  Jacob 
Weiss  is  president  and  a  very  able  and  efficient  head  of  the  organization. 

BUSINESS  ENTERPRISES. 

STOVER    MANUFACTURING    COMPANY. 

Probably  the  concern  which  is  doing  the  largest  business  of  any  in  Freeport 
is  the  Stover  Manufacturing  Company,  makers  of  the  Samson  Wind  Mill  and 
the  Ideal  Feed  Mill.  Their  plant  is  located  in  East  Freeport  on  Henderson 
street,  near  Fairview  avenue,  near  the  city  limits.  It  is  a  mammoth  factory, 
and  the  various  additions  and  enlargements  which  have  been  completed  dur- 
ing the  past  few  years  make  it  more  certain  of  its  title  than  ever  before. 

The  Stover  Manufacturing  Company  celebrates  its  fiftieth  anniversary  this 
year.  It  was  founded  in  1860  by  Daniel  C.  Stover,  Freeport's  late  financier 
and  inventive  genius,  who  began  his  business  in  a  small  way  on  the  corner  of 
Stephenson  and  Cherry  streets,  where  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building  stands  today. 
The  original  name  of  the  firm  was  the  "D.  C.  Stover  Experiment  Works,"  and 
by  1880  the  business  had  become  so  large  that  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  in- 
corporate the  company  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Illinois.  This  was  forth- 
with done,  and  the  plant  was  moved  to  the  corner  of  Spring  and  Mechanic 
streets.  Soon  after  the  old  carriage  shop  of  F.  S.  Taggart  was  purchased,  but 
the  growing  concern  rapidly  became  too  large  for  the  new  buildings.  The 
site  of  the  present  Stover  Engine  Works  were  bought,  on  East  Stephenson 
street  and  the  river,  and  the  present  shops  were  erected.  These  have  stood 
almost  unchanged  until  this  year.  A  large  new  addition  to  the  west  wing 
has  just  been  finished,  and  this  constitutes  the  first  large  addition  to  the  engine 
plant. 

In  1890  the  tract  of  forty-five  acres  on  Henderson  street,  where  the  main 
shops  are  located  today,  was  purchased,  and  the  buildings  erected.  They  per- 
formed the  service  required  of  them  until  1908,  when  the  foundry  was  found 


LIL. 

OFTHE 
UNIVERSITY  Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  509 

to  be  of  insufficient  size  to  turn  out  the  proper  number  of  castings.  Additional 
buildings  were  then  constructed,  and  the  original  foundry  was  turned  into  a 
machine  shop.  Shortly  before  that  a  power  plant  had  been  built  with  a  ca- 
pacity sufficient  for  generating  a  supply  of  electricity  for  both  wind  mill  fac- 
tory and  gas  engine  works. 

So  greatly  has  the  business  of  the  Stover  Company  increased  that  the  day 
is  evidently  not  distant  when  entirely  new  factories  will  be  built.  The  high 
quality  of  the  goods  turned  out  accounts  for  the  popularity  of  the  article  among 
farmers.  Nearly  all  of  the  farms  about  Freeport  are  equipped  with  Samson 
windmills,  and  even  in  the  remote  parts  of  the  United  States  the  Stover  product 
is  to  be  found  doing  duty.  Not  only  has  the  domestic  business  increased  ap- 
preciably, but  the  foreign  business  is  very  large.  The  foreign  trade  of  the 
Stover  Manufacturing  Company,  although  it  is  of  recent  growth,  has  already 
assumed  such  proportions  as  make  it  necessary  for  the  plant  to  occupy  larger 
quarters.  The  greatest  care  is  given  to  every  detail  of  the  manufacturing. 
The  plant  is  equipped  with  a  chemical  laboratory,  and  all  mixtures  are  made 
by  analyses,  all  of  the  metals,  steel,  wire,  etc.,  that  enter  the  goods  are  care- 
fully analyzed,  and  a  high  standard  of  excellence  is  thereby  secured.  The 
company  is  constantly  on  the  look  out  for  new  and  improved  machinery,  it  em- 
ploys a  number  of  mechanical  geniuses  on  its  force,  and  the  business  done 
is  steadily  increasing.  The  windmill  output  averages  forty  thousand  of  the 
machines  annually,  while  a  force  of  about  four  hundred  workmen  are  em- 
ployed. 

The  Stover  Manufacturing  Company  was  formerly  connected  with  the 
Stover  Motor  Car  Company,  an  institution  which  was  organized  to  manufac- 
ture gasoline  engines  for  automobiles.  The  business  was  continued  for  about 
a  year,  and  about  thirteen  months  ago  it  was  discontinued.  The  Motor  Car 
Company  plant,  a  large  and  modern  building,  in  East  Freeport,  near  the  Stover 
Engine  Works,  has  since  been  utilized  by  the  latter  concern  for  the  manufacture 
of  gas  engines. 

STOVER    ENGINE    WORKS. 


Forty  years  ago,  in  1870,  the  Stover  Engine  Works  was  established.  It 
was  an  outgrowth  of  the  Stover  Manufacturing  Company,  inasmuch  as  the 
same  men  were  connected  with  both  companies,  but  as  far  as  the  organization 
was  concerned,  the  two  companies  were  entirely  separate  concerns  and  have 
always  so  remained. 

The  Stover  Engine  Works  manufacture  a  variety  of  engines,  including 
stationary,  portable,  and  pumping  varieties  of  the  horizontal  engine,  and  in 
addition  to  the  gas  and  gasoline  engines  a  make  which  is  run  by  alcohol  is  in- 
cluded in  their  manufactures.  Like  the  windmill  factory,  the  market  of  the 
Stover  Engine  Works  is  the  whole  civilized  world.  The  foreign  output  has 
so  increased  of  late  years  that  an  addition  to  the  East  Freeport  plant  has  be- 
come an  absolute  necessity.  The  result  has  been  the  commodious  west  wing, 
a  handsome  building  of  red  pressed  brick,  which  is  to  contain  also  the  offices 
of  the  company.  The  Stover  Works  employ  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  hands 


510  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

on  the  average.  The  output  of  engines  is  very  large,  and  is  increasing  annu- 
ally. The  time  is  evidently  not  far  away  when  an  entirely  new  plant  will  be 
the  inevitable  outcome.  The  officers  are:  President,  P.  S.  Stover;  secretary, 
J.  Fred  Smith;  superintendent,  William  F.  Freidag. 

ARCADE    MANUFACTURING    COMPANY. 

The  forerunner  of  the  Arcade  Manufacturing  Company  was  a  small  concern 
known  as  the  Novelty  Iron  Works,  which  was  founded  as  early  as  1868.  The 
men  interested  in  the  organization  of  the  Novelty  Iron  Works  were  E.  H.  and 
Charles  Morgan,  composing  the  firm  of  "Morgan  Brothers,"  and  the  first  fac- 
tory of  the  company  was  built  on  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Jackson  streets. 
Here  they  continued  to  do  business  for  nearly  twenty  years.  The  company  first 
occupied  two  small  brick  buildings  and  a  total  of  ten  hands  were  employed. 
In  1874  the  old  buildings  were  torn  down  and  more  commodious  quarters,  con- 
sisting of  a  machine  shop,  foundry,  engine  room,  and  offices  were  erected  on 
the  same  site,  at  a  cost  of  about  $25,000.  In  1877  J.  P.  Easter  became  a  part- 
ner in  the  concern  but  retired  in  about  a  year  and  the  old  firm  name  was  re- 
stored. During  Mr.  Easter's  stay,  the  company  began  the  manufacture  of 
plows  on  a  large  scale. 

Pumps,  windmills,  iron  pavements,  store  fronts,  and  a  variety  of  castings 
were  manufactured  by  the  Novelty  Iron  Works.  The  company  went  out  of 
business  in  1885,  and  the  Arcade  Manufacturing  Company  was  then  and  there 
organized  with  E.  H.  and  Charles  Morgan  and  Albert  Baumgarten  as  the 
original  promoters. 

The  buildings  of  the  Novelty  Iron  Works  were  utilized  for  a  brief  time 
only.  They  quickly  became  too  crowded,  and  a  move  was  soon  made  to  a 
new  factory  erected  especially  for  the  purpose  in  East  Freeport.  From  there 
the  company  moved,  in  September,  1891,  to  another  site,  and  took  possession  of 
a  building  which  had  beep  recently  vacated  by  the  Emory  and  Williams  Can- 
ning Company.  This  building  was  fitted  up  with  suitable  machinery,  and  a 
prosperous  business  start  had  just  been  made,  when,  on  July  24,  1892,  the 
factories  were  burned  to  the  ground  and  all  the  new  equipments  lost.  It  was 
suspected  at  the  time  that  the  plant  had  been  fired  by  an  incendiary.  How- 
ever that  might  have  been,  the  entire  factory  with  all  its  appurtenances  was  a 
total  loss,  and  the  Arcade  Manufacturing  Company,  which  had  of  late  enjoyed 
such  pleasant  prospects,  gloomily  faced  a  deficit  of  over  $20,000.  Not  only 
this,  but  about  40,000  coffee  mills,  finished  and  in  the  process  of  manufacture, 
were  burned,  and  the  new  company  was  unable  to  fill  its  first  orders. 

The  fire  was  a  severe  blow,  and  any  but  the  most  zealous  of  men  would 
have  been  profoundly  discouraged.  Not  so  the  new  Arcade  Manufacturing 
Company.  Hardly  were  the  ashes  of  the  fire  cold  when  negotiations  were  un- 
der way  for  the  purchase  of  a  new  factory  site  in  East  Freeport.  A  large 
square  of  land,  formerly  belonging  to  the  Keller- Wittbecker  farm  was  bought, 
and  part  of  it  was  divided  up  into  lots.  The  newly  platted  section  of  East 
Freeport  was  known  as  the  Arcade  Addition,  and  on  part  of  the  land,  the  com- 
pany erected  its  new  offices  and  foundries.  In  February,  1893,  the  new  factory 


William  Walton 


lion.   I).  C.   Stover 


'/..  Harwell 


I'UOMINENT  BUSINESS  MEN  OF  FKEEl'OUT 


OF  THE 
UNIVEKSI1Y  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  511 

had  been  completed,  and  the  Arcade  Manufacturing  Company  was  ready  to 
begin  over  again.  This  time  success  crowned  their  efforts.  The  buildings 
which  were  constructed  then  are  in  use  today,  with  a  number  of  alterations  and 
additions.  The  main  building  is  a  large  brick  structure,  200  x  40,  while  the 
foundry  is  100  x  70.  Besides  the  two  lager  factories  are  a  number  of  smaller 
buildings,  occupied  by  foundries,  machine  shops,  drying  houses,  warehouses, 
general  offices,  etc.  The  plant  is  up-to-date  in  every  respect,  employs  a  large 
force  of  men,  and  turns  out  a  variety  of  products. 

In  1893  L.  L.  Munn  became  a  partner  in  the  firm.  In  December  of  that 
year,  he  invested  heavily  in  the  company,  and  thenceforth  became  the  principal 
stockholder.  For  many  years  he  filled  the  office  of  president,  and,  on  his  death, 
his  interest  in  the  concern  was  taken  up  by  his  son,  L.  L.  Munn,  Jr.  Albert 
Baumgarten  subsequently  retired  from  the  firm  to  found  a  factory  of  his  own, 
the  Freeport  Novelty  Works.  This  factory,  the  offices  of  which  were  located 
on  Hancock  avenue,  in  East  Freeport,  ceased  to  do  business  at  Mr.  Baumgar- 
ten's  death,  and  its  buildings  are  now  occupied  by  the  Freeport  Manure 
Spreader  Company. 

The  Arcade  Company  has  always  made  a  specialty  of  coffee  mills,  but  it 
turns  out  a  variety  of  goods.  Besides  the  dozens  of  coffee  mills  of  different 
designs  the  Arcade  plant  turns  out  hinges,  screen  door  hinges,  stove  pipe 
dampers,  lid  lifters,  cork  extracters,  corkscrews,  and  numerous  small  notions 
and  novelties.  A  large  number  of  children's  toys  have  also  been  manufactured, 
such  as  toy  coffee  mills,  miniature  trains,  swings,  doll  carriages,  etc. 

In  whatever  new  department  of  manufacture  the  Arcade  Manufacturing 
Company  chooses  to  venture,  its  results  are  sure  to  be  attended  with  success 
and  its  products  are  invariably  the  very  best.  Everything  is  made  from  the 
finest  material  obtainable,  and  by  skilled  workmen.  The  road  agents  and  trav- 
eling salesmen  of  the  Arcade  Manufacturing  Company  are  to  be  found  in  every 
state  of  the  Union,  and  wherever  their  articles  are  introduced,  they  are  sure 
to  find  a  popular  market.  The  affairs  of  the  company  are  in  the  best  of  con- 
dition at  home,  financially  and  otherwise.  The  concern  has  been  forced  by 
circumstances  to  pass  through  a  number  of  exceedingly  trying  situations,  not 
the  least  of  which  was  a  prolonged  strike  which  aroused  a  great  deal  of  agi- 
tation about  a  year  ago,  but  it  has  come  through  them  all  successfully,  and 
would  seem  to  be  enjoying  at  present  a  well  earned  season  of  prosperity.  The 
officers  of  the  institution  are :  President,  Edward  H.  Morgan ;  vice  president, 
Charles  Morgan ;  secretary,  Loyal  L.  Munn,  Jr. ;  treasurer,  E.  H.  Morgan ;  su- 
perintendent, Chas.  Morgan. 

MOLINE   PLOW    COMPANY. 

The  Moline  Plow  Company  owns  and  operates  two  large  plants  in  Freeport: 
the  Henney  Buggy  Company,  and  the, Freeport  Carriage  Company.  The  former 
is  a  very  old  concern,  which  has  done  business  in  Freeport  for  nearly  half  a  cen- 
tury, and  has  but  recently  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Moline  concern.  The 
Freeport  Carriage  Company,  under  the  name  of  the  Robinson  Manufacturing 
Company,  did  business  in  a  small  way  for  many  years  before  it  was  absorbed 


512  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

by  the  new  company.  Its  founder  and  president,  J.  L.  Robinson,  began  the 
manufacture  of  carriages  in  a  wagon  shop  on  Exchange  street.  As  his  business 
increased,  he  found  it  necessary  to  secure  larger  quarters.  The  ultimate  out- 
come of  the  need  was  the  building  of  the  factories  west  of  Stephenson  street 
and  bordering  on  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  tracks,  and  there  the  concern  did 
an  apparently  thriving  business  for  many  years.  About  four  years  ago  the 
concern  became  insolvent  and  the  factory  was  purchased  by  the  Moline  Plow 
Company,  who  have  since  made  extensive  additions  nearly  twice  the  size  of 
the  original  factories. 

The  Moline  Plow  Company,  as  an  institution,  was  organized  in  1868,  and  is 
incorporated.  The  present  officers  are :  President,  G.  A.  Stephens ;  vice  presi- 
dent, F.  G.  Allen;  secretary  and  superintendent,  C.  R.  Stephens.  All  of  these 
gentlemen  reside  in  Moline.  The  local  manager  of  the  business  is  M.  A.  Steele, 
who  has  been  here  for  many  years,  and  is  a  thoroughly  competent  and  able 
official. 

Since  taking  hold  of  the  Freeport  factories,  the  Moline  Plow  Company  has 
almost  doubled  their  size,  and  is  now  contemplating  more  extensive  additions. 
The  Henney  Buggy  Company  is  located  on  the  block  bounded  by  Chicago,  Spring, 
Jackson,  and  Van  Buren  streets.  It  originally  occupied  only  about  half  of  the 
block,  while  the  rear  of  the  premises  were  filled  by  warehouses  and  lumber 
sheds.  Within  the  past  few  years,  buildings  have  been  added  to  such  an  extent 
that  now  the  concern's  factories  cover  the  whole  of  the  block.  The  output  of 
the  Henney  Buggy  Company  branch  is  enormous,  being  about  thirty  thousand 
carriages  of  various  sorts  per  annum.  That  of  the  Freeport  Carriage  Com- 
panies branch  is  nearly  as  large,  being  about  two-thirds  as  much  or  twenty- 
thousand  vehicles.  The  total  output  of  the  Moline  Plow  Company's  buggy 
factories  in  Freeport  is  thus  on  an  average  fifty  thousand.  The  factories  give 
employment  to  a  large  number  of  men,  and  are  a  great  boon  to  the  city  of  Free- 
port  in  every  way. 

Recently  the  Henney  branch  began  to  feel  the  need  of  better  transportation 
facilities.  The  Freeport  Carriage  Company  is  located  on  the  Illinois  Central 
lines  and  is  thus  easily  accessible  to  the  Northwestern  and  C.,  M.  and  St.  P. 
roads,  but  the  Henney  plant  is  several  blocks  from  the  nearest  railroad.  The 
need  was  formerly  met  by  a  side-track  which  ran  through  the  alley  between 
Spring  and  Jackson  streets,  but  this  single  switch  presently  became  too  small 
to  meet  the  demand.  Then,  through  the  efforts  of  the  Citizen's  Commercial  As- 
sociation of  Freeport,  who  were  also  instrumental  in  persuading  the  Moline 
Plow  Company  to  locate  its  branches  here,  permission  was  secured  for  laying  a 
branch  switch  along  Jackson  street  from  the  Illinois  Central  tracks  to  Van  Buren 
street.  This  switch  was  built  early  this  year,  and  has  proven  itself  indispensable 
to  the  crowded  Henney  plant. 

THE  HOEFER  MANUFACTURING  COMPANY. 

The  Hoefer  Manufacturing  Company  had  its  origin  in  a  small  buggy  fac- 
tory at  Centennial,  a  few  miles  west  of  Freeport.  The  Hoefers  were  men  of  an 
inventive  turn  of  mind,  and  F.  W.  Hoefer  moved  to  Freeport  and  began  work- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  513 

ing  out  some  inventions  in  a  room  in  the  old  Courthouse  building.  Later,  he  set 
up  a  shop  in  what  is  now  the  Kinne  Hotel,  which  was  then  a  manufacturing 
building. 

In  the  summer  of  1892,  Mr.  F.  W.  Hoefer  and  D.  C.  Stover  formed  a  co- 
partnership and  started  the  Stover  Novelty  Works,  in  the  building  now  used 
by  the  Armour  Packing  Company.  Mr.  F.  W.  Hoefer  was  the  active  head  of 
the  concern.  The  company's  first  product  was  power  metal  saws,  and  only  a 
few  men  were  employed.  During  the  second  year,  1893,  the  panic  struck  the 
county  but  the  firm  came  through  and  increased  the  output.  The  firm  supplied 
the  government  with  saws  and  drilling  machinery  at  this  time.  In  1896,  Mr. 
Stover  sold  his  interest  and  A.  G.  Hoefer  bought  an  interest  in  the  company. 
The  business  developed  rapidly  and  various  sizes  of  drilling  machines  were  put 
on  the  market.  A  full  line  of  bed-spring  machinery  was  manufactured.  The 
company  held  the  basic  patents  on  this  machinery  and  was  enabled  to  control  the 
market  in  this  country  and  abroad.  Many  attempts  were  made  to  infringe  on 
these  patents  but  the  company  invariably  won  out. 

In  September,  1899,  the  old  name  was  abandoned  and  the  Hoefer  Manufac- 
turing Company  was  incorporated,  and  E.  A.  Hoefer  joined  his  brothers  in 
the  concern.  The  officials  were:  President  and  treasurer,  F.  W.  Hoefer;  vice 
president,  E.  A.  Hoefer;  secretary,  A.  G.  Hoefer. 

The  business  of  the  company  prospered  and  the  factory  was  removed  to 
the  Tuckett  building  in  1901.  The  demand  for  the  Hoefer  products  was  so 
great  that  the  company  decided  to  build  a  building  at  the  corner  of  Chicago 
and  Jackson  streets.  The  building  is  60x120,  three-stories,  with  a  wing  60x40 
one  story.  The  new  building  gave  the  company  room  for  expansion  which  it 
needed  and  new  lines  of  goods  were  put  on  the  market. 

In  1905,  A.  G.  Hoefer  withdrew  from  the  company  on  account  of  illness,  and 
Chester  A.  Hoefer,  son  of  Fred  W.  Hoefer,  bought  an  interest  in  the  company 
and  was  elected  secretary. 

In  July,  1908,  E.  A.  Hoefer  withdrew  from  the  company,  C.  A.  Hoefer 
purchasing  the  additional  interest. 

In  1908,  exclusive  agencies  were  established  in  the  important  cities  of  the 
United  States  and  Canada  and  in  many  foreign  countries  including  England, 
Sweden,  Germany,  Austria,  Hungary,  Italy,  Spain,  France,  India,  China,  Japan, 
Russia  and  some  of  the  South  American  countries.  Through  these  agencies, 
Hoefer  products  go  into  all  corners  of  the  world. 

Since  1908,  the  company  has  added  to  its  equipment,  has  proceeded  with  the 
standardization  of  its  products  and  the  manufacturing  methods  have  been  thor- 
oughly revised  and  brought  up  to  date.  The  company  has  increased  its  line  and 
broadened  its  market.  The  product  at  present  consists  of  metal  saws,  upright 
drills,  horizontal  drills,  horizontal  and  vertical  boring  machinery.  When  running 
at  full  capacity,  the  company  employs  about  sixty-five  men. 

The  present  officials  of  the  company  are :  President  and  treasurer,  Fred  W. 
Hoefer ;  vice  president,  P.  E.  Hoefer ;  secretary,  C.  A.  Hoefer. 

THE   ZIEGLER-SCHRYER    MANUFACTURING    COMPANY 

One  of  Freeport's  newest  manufacturing  establishments  is  the  Ziegler-Schryer 
Manufacturing  Company,  in  East  Freeport.  No  new  company  ever  began  undei 


514  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

favorable  auspices.  Owing  to  the  successful  experience  of  the  men  back  of  it, 
the  new  company  was  successful  from  the  beginning. 

The  Ziegler-Schryer  Company  was  incorporated  in  June,  1909.  The  officials 
of  the  company  are:  President,  Mr.  Oscar  J.  Ziegler;  vice  president,  P.  L. 
Schryer;  treasurer,  Roy  M.  Bennethum;  secretary,  Lewis  Hughes. 

The  present  output  of  the  company  consists  of  gas,  gasoline  and  distillate 
engines.  The  Z-S  Engines  are  of  the  horizontal  type.  In  addition  to  the  engine 
business  the  company  does  a  general  machine  shop  work  and  makes  high  grade 
gray  iron  castings.  The  company  puts  out  an  attractive  line  of  goods  and  is 
meeting  with  such  success  that  it  has  already  become  necessary  to  enlarge  the 
plant  and  increase  the  output.  Eighty  men  are  employed  at  present  and  the 
number  is  constantly  increased. 

Mr.  Oscar  Ziegler  was  connected  with  one  of  the  largest  manufacturing 
companies  of  the  west  for  over  twenty  years,  as  designer  and  superintendent  of 
construction  of  a  line  of  feed  grinders  and  wind  mills.  Mr.  Paul  Schryer  is  an 
expert  gas-engine  man,  having  served  for  years  as  designer  and  superintendent 
of  construction,  in  a  large  engine  works  of  Freeport.  Mr.  Hughes  and  Mr. 
Bennethum  have  had  years  of  experience  in  the  business  and  in  some  of  the 
largest  concerns  in  the  west. 

DIRKSEN  &  TOWSLEE. 

The  Dirksen  and  Towslee  Planing  Mill  is  one  of  the  newest  institutions  of 
Freeport.  It  was  founded  in  1902  by  R.  D.  Dirksen  and  F.  H.  Towslee,  and  first 
began  doing  business  in  a  small  way  in  a  factory  on  State  street  near  South 
Galena  avenue.  When  these  lodgings  became  too  small  to  house  the  growing 
concern,  as  they  eventually  did,  the  proprietors  bought  the  factory  formerly  used 
by  the  Burrell  Brothers  Vinegar  Works,  and  there  established  their  new  plant. 
The  factory  is  a  three-story  brick  structure  40x100  feet,  with  adjoining  lumber 
sheds  which  have  a  capacity  of  three  hundred  thousand  feet  of  lumber,  and 
two  large  moulding  sheds,  each  20x60  feet  in  floor  area.  The  yards  and  mill 
cover  two  acres  of  ground,  and  the  tracks  of  the  Illinois  Central  pass  the  mill 
making  excellent  transportation  facilities.  The  Dirksen  and  Towslee  property 
is  situated  in  the  northern  end  of  the  town,  near  the  river,  just  west  of  the 
Freeport  Water  Company  buildings,  and  a  short  distance  east  of  the  D.  E.  Swan 
Organ  Factory. 

Fifteen  hands  are  employed  steadily.  The  business  done  by  the  Dirksen  and 
Towslee  mill  is  mostly  local  although  considerable  shipping  is  done  to  the  smalt 
towns  within  a  radius  of  fifteen  or  twenty  miles.  The  outside  business  is  con- 
stantly increasing,  and  while  the  concern  is  still  young,  it  has  a  most  promising 
future  and  has  already  done  much  to  gain  the  confidence  of  the  buying  world. 

W.  T.  RAWLEIGH  MEDICAL  COMPANY. 

The  Rawleigh  Medical  Company,  although  only  a  little  over  twenty  years 
old,  has,  in  the  short  time  of  its  existence,  built  up  a  business  which  extends  over 
the  whole  of  the  United  States,  and  has  made  its  president  and  incorporator  a 


THE  W.   T.   RAWLEIGH   CO. 


fc 


ARCADE   MANUFACTURING   CO. 


LiSRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  515 

millionaire.  Mr.  Rawleigh's  clearheaded  business  ability  is  responsible  for  the 
firm's  progress  during  the  last  twenty  years  of  its  existence.  It  was  he  who  be- 
gan the  process  of  manufacturing  medical  preparations — it  is  said  by  preparing 
them  on  the  cook  stove  of  his  own  kitchen.  As  he  succeeded  in  a  small  way, 
he  began  to  think  of  branching  out,  and  founding  a  bigger  concern.  He  es- 
tablished a  system  of  wagons  which  cover  the  whole  of  the  surrounding  coun- 
try with  a  network  of  routes,  and  thus  sold  his  products  chiefly  to  the  farmers. 

In  1895,  he  formed  the  Rawleigh  Medical  Company,  and  incorporated  the 
concern  of  which  he  has  since  been  president.  The  first  factory  was  located 
on  the  corner  of  Douglas  avenue  and  Powell  street.  A  large  business  was  done 
in  this  place,  and  it  was  here  that  Mr.  Rawleigh  got  his  start  and  made  sufficient 
capital  to  enable  him  to  build  his  new  factory.  The  disadvantage  of  the  Douglas 
avenue  site  lay  in  its  distance  from  the  railroad  and  its  consequent  lack  of 
transportation  facilities.  Accordingly  a  strip  of  land  bordering  on  the  Illinois 
Central  tracks  near  the  foot  of  Galena  street  was  purchased  and  the  present 
modern  and  up-to-date  factory  erected.  The  plant  has  a  large  capacity,  and 
the  yearly  output  is  enormous.  The  company  deals  in  the  various  branches  of 
goods  which  are  usually  handled  by  such  medical  companies :  Salves,  ointments, 
liniments,  toilet  preparations,  patent  medicines,  stock  dips  and  remedies,  spices, 
extracts,  baking  powders,  etc. 

In  addition  to  the  large  local  business  done  in  Freeport  and  the  surrounding 
country,  the  Rawleigh  Medical  Company  has  a  large  foreign  trade,  all  of  which 
has  been  developed  within  the  past  three  of  four  years.  The  company  now 
maintains  at  its  establishment  a  private  printing  plant  where  all  the  literature 
and  labels  of  the  company  are  printed.  The  pile  of  buildings  also  includes  a 
power  house,  where  the  company's  own  four  hundred  and  fifty  horse  power 
generator  furnishes  power  for  turning  all  the  machinery  of  the  factory.  Two 
hundred  hands  are  employed  in  and  about  the  factory,  and  over  a  thousand 
salesmen  are  on  the  road  distributing  Rawleigh's  remedies  and  extracts.  A 
southern  ware-house  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  was  added  to  the  company's  real 
estate  in  1907,  and  the  concern  is  doing  a  business  unequalled  by  any  other  con- 
cern in  Freeport.  The  officers  are :  President,  W.  T.  Rawleigh ;  vice  president, 
W.  J.  Trevillian;  secretary,  J.  R.  Jackson. 

NATURAL  CARBON   PAINT  COMPANY. 

The  Natural  Carbon  Paint  Company  was  organized  a  few  years  ago  by  the 
late  Albert  Baumgarten  and  F.  W.  Siecke,  who  is  still  connected  with  the  con- 
cern. The  cause  of  the  founding  was  the  discovery,  made  by  the  gentlemen  in- 
terested in  the  project,  of  a  natural  carbon  substance,  which  was  superior  to 
lampblack  in  the  manufacture  of  paint.  This  substance  was  found  in  large 
quantities  in  the  vicinity  of  Eleroy,  in  Erin  Township,  also  in  Mt.  Carroll  in 
Carroll  county.  The  carbon  substance,  which  was  named  "mindura"  from  its 
enduring  qualities,  when  mixed  with  a  quantity  of  linseed  oil,  made  as  desirable 
a  pigment  as  can  be  imagined,  and  was  especially  valuable  for  painting  surfaces 
which  are  ordinarily  subjected  to  great  wear  and  tear,  such  as  railrod  rolling 
stock,  and  articles  subjected  to  great  heat,  such  as  steam  pipes,  boiler  heads, 
steel  chimneys,  etc.,  which  are  painted  not  only  for  protection's  sake,  but  for 


516  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

appearances,  metals  which  are  subjected  to  the  action  of  acid  fumes,  generated 
in  train  sheds,  under  viaducts,  in  chemical  works,  creameries,  tanneries,  etc.,  are 
rendered  impervious  to  the  action  of  the  destructive  elements  when  coated  over 
with  an  application  of  the  "Mindura"  paints. 

The  Natural  Carbon  Paint  Company  has  a  retorting  capacity  of  about  six- 
teen tons  of  Mindura  pigment  per  day  of  twenty-four  hours,  and  a  grinding 
capacity  of  oil  of  eighteen  barrels  of  semi-paste,  or  ten  barrels  of  semi-paste,  and 
ten  barrels  of  liquid  goods  per  day  of  ten  hours.  The  company  caters  primarily 
to  large  consumers  of  paint,  such  as  railroads,  manufacturers  of  structural  steel 
and  iron,  and  builders  of  steel  cars. 

The  process  by  which  the  paint  is  manufactured  is  exceedingly  interesting. 
The  raw  material  is  shipped  from  Eleroy  and  Mt.  Carroll  to  the  Freeport  fac- 
tory, where  it  is  washed,  crushed,  refined,  and  roasted  at  a  temperature  of  about 
nine  hundred  and  fifty  degrees  Fahrenheit  in  specially  constructed  and  patented 
retort  ovens.  Then  it  is  hydrated,  and  finally  pulverized  and  air-separated  to  a 
fineness  of  two  hundred  mesh.  When  metal  surfaces  are  perfectly  clean,  a 
proper  application  of  "Mindura"  mixed  with  pure  linseed  oil  will  preserve  them 
at  a  moderate  cost  better  than  any  paint  before  the  public. 

The  officers  of  the  Natural  Carbon  Paint  Company,  which  is  an  Illinois  cor- 
poration, are:  President,  M.  Schauer;  vice  president,  Rudolph  Stadermann; 
secretary  and  treasurer,  F.  W.  Siecke. 

FREEPORT    WATER  COMPANY. 

The  business  of  furnishing  so  large  a  community  as  Freeport  with  water  is 
one  of  huge  magnitude,  and,  since  1882,  the  Freeport  Water  Company  has  given 
the  city  of  Freeport  an  excellent  water  supply,  pure  and  wholesome  for  domestic 
purposes,  and  of  ample  quantity.     When  the  company  was  first  organized  in 
1886,  eight  miles  of  mains,  from  four  to  sixteen  inches  in  diameter  were  laid, 
while  now  there  are  thirty-four  miles  of  mains  covering  the  city  and  its  sub- 
urbs, so  that  scarcely  a  house  within  the  limits  is  not  within  reach  of  an  adequate 
supply  of  city  water.     In  1902  and  1903  a  complete  new  pumping  equipment, 
also  a  filter  plant  was  put  in,  so  that  for  the  last  eight  years,  the  city  water 
supply  has  been  filtered,  this  providing  for  as  fine  a  supply  of  water  as  can  be 
found  in  this  vicinity.    "Freeport  water"  has  been  even  more  famous  than  Free- 
port  beer,  and   for  many   years,  the    Illinois   Central   Railroad    Company   has 
used  Freeport  artesian  well  water  in  the  reservoirs  of  its  passenger  cars  and 
in  all  the  dining  cars  used  by  the  company.     The  latest  report  of  the  health 
officer  on  city  water  states  that  the  city  water  is  pure  and  wholesome  for  drink- 
ing and  cooking  purposes,  and  recommends  the  extension  of  the  city  mains  and 
the  use  of  city  water  wherever  possible  instead  of  well  water,  as  the  latter  is  apt 
to  become  infected  with  germs  from  cesspools,  sewers,  etc. 

The  officers  of  the  Freeport  Water  Company  are:  President,  Michael  Stos- 
kopf;  vice  president,  J.  H.  Snyder;  treasurer,  Addison  Bidwell;  secretary  and 
superintendent,  Owen  T.  Smith. 

The  pumping  station  and  wells  are  located  near  the  Cedarville  bridge  on 
the  river  banks.  The  standpipe  is  located  on  Whistler  street,  near  Stephenson, 
in  West  Freeport. 


WATER  COMPANY'S  PUMPING  STATION 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  517 

STEPHENSON   COUNTY  TELEPHONE  COMPANY. 

While  it  ha5  only  been  in  operation  for  eight  years,  the  Stephenson  County 
Telephone  Company  already  has  a  list  of  subscribers  quite  as  large  as  that  of 
the  Freeport  Telephone  Company,  and  lines  extending  throughout  Stephenson 
County,  and  into  the  neighboring  counties  of  Winnebago,  Carroll,  Ogle,  Jo 
Daviess,  Whiteside,  etc.  By  an  arrangement  recently  completed  by  the  directors 
of  the  Stephenson  Telephone  Company,  the  Freeport  subscribers  are  able  to 
get  telephone  connection  with  Chicago.  The  wires  pretty  thoroughly  cover  the 
country  within  a  radius  of  fifty  miles  of  Freeport.  The  subscribers  number 
about  two  thousand  five  hundred,  and  the  company  employs  twenty-three  lady 
operators  in  its  office  on  the  third  floor  of  the  Rice  building.  Exchanges  are 
maintained  at  all  the  village  of  Stephenson  County. 

The  company  was  organized  in  1902,  by  a  company  of  Freeport  financiers, 
who  elected  Charles  D.  Knowlton  president  of  the  corporation.  He  served  for 
a  number  of  years  and  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  D.  C.  L.  Mease,  the  present  official. 
The  other  officers  of  the  company  are :  Vice  president,  W.  A.  Hance ;  treasurer, 
Ezra  T.  Morse;  secretary,  L.  A.  Herrick;  directors,  T.  K.  Best,  Charles  D. 
Knowlton,  William  O.  Wright,  F.  A.  Read,  and  Douglas  Pattison. 

The  company  is  now  capitalized  at  $150,000,  all  of  which  is  Freeport  capital, 
and  is  doing  a  business  which  is  rapidly  increasing.  The  service  is  excellent, 
and  the  instruments  in  use  of  the  most  modern  type. 

FREEPORT   TELEPHONE  COMPANY. 

On  the  first  of  April  of  the  present  year,  the  Freeport  Telephone  Company 
observed  the  thirtieth  anniversary  of  its  birth.  It  was  established  on  the  first 
day  of  April,  1880,  by  E.  T.  Keim  of  Dubuque,  acting  on  behalf  of  the  National 
Telephone  Company,  with  a  capital  of  $10,000,  and  the  following  officers :  Presi- 
dent, L.  Z.  Farwell,  vice  president,  W.  G.  Barnes ;  treasurer,  F.  Gund ;  secretary, 
C.  H.  Little;  directors,  O.  B.  Sanford,  James  I.  Neff,  L.  Z.  Farwell,  E.  B 
Winger,  F.  Gund,  and  C.  H.  Little. 

On  the  loth  of  June  of  the  same  year  work  was  commenced,  poles  erected, 
lines  placed,  etc.,  and  the  line  went  into  operation  the  first  of  July.  For  some 
years  the  list  of  subscribers  grew  slowly.  The  conservative  Freeporters  did  not 
take  readily  to  the  telephone  idea.  As  late  as  fifteen  years  ago,  the  telephone  di- 
rectories consisted  of  a  single  folded  sheet  of  cardboard,  with  the  names  of  the 
subscribers  finding  ample  space  on  the  two  inside  pages.  But  progress  has  come, 
and  the  subscription  list  of  the  Freeport  Telephone  Company  has  increased 
accordingly.  The  subscribers  now  number  about  two  thousand  two  hundred,  with 
telephone  exchanges  in  the  villages  of  Rock  Grove,  Orangeville,  Pearl  City,  Lena, 
etc.  In  1880,  and  for  some  time  thereafter  one  telephone  operator  was  sufficient 
to  attend  to  all  the  business,  but  at  the  present  time  the  force  number  nearer  two 
dozen.  The  officers  of  the  present  year  are:  President,  L.  Z.  Farwell;  vice 

president,  ;   secretary,  ;  treasurer,  ; 

superintendent,  George  H.  Green ;  directors,  L.  Z.  Farwell,  Roy  K.  Farwell. 


518  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

THE  FUERST-M'NESS  COMPANY. 

The  Fuerst-McNess  Company  was  organized  February  i,  1908,  by  Mr.  Frank 

E.  Fuerst  and  Mr.  F.  W.  McNess.    Mr.  Fuerst  is  president  and  treasurer;  Mr. 

F.  G.  Thomas,  vice  president;  Mr.  F.  W.  McNess,  chemist  and  secretary.     Mr. 
Fuerst  is  a  graduate  of  the  Freeport  High  School  and  of  the  University  of  Mich- 
igan School  of  Law.     Mr.  McNess  is  a  doctor  of  pharmacy,  a  graduate  of  the 
Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy,  graduating  with  honors.     He  came  to  Free- 
port  several  years  ago  from  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

The  offices  and  ware-rooms  of  the  company  are  in  the  large  three-story  build- 
ing at  the  corner  of  Spring  and  Liberty  streets.  The  company  manufactures  and 
sells  proprietary  medicines,  flavoring  extracts,  spices,  perfumes  and  stock  and 
poultry  remedies. 

The  company  was  organized  February  i,  1908,  began  work  in  March  and 
started  the  first  wagon  on  the  road,  April  loth.  At  the  end  of  the  first  year  the 
company  had  twenty-five  wagons  out  and  now  have  over  one  hundred  wagons 
operating  in  Illinois,  Iowa,  Kansas,  Wisconsin,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Michigan,  Ken- 
tucky. Missouri,  North  and  South  Dakota,  Nebraska  and  Pennsylvania.  The 
company  is  the  originator  of  the  free  sanitary  trial  bottle  system.  For  a  new 
company,  the  Fuerst-McNess  organization  is  making  remarkable  progress  and 
the  general  public  has  confidence  in  Mr.  Fuerst  as  business  manager  and  in  Mr. 
McNess  as  chemist. 

BAIER    &    OHLENDORF. 

The  Baier  and  Ohlendorf  brewing  establishment  is  the  oldest  in  the  city.  It 
was  established  sixty-one  years  ago,  in  1849,  as  a  supply  depot  for  malt  liquors 
by  Calvin  McGee,  and  had  a  capacity  of  about  two  hundred  barrels  per  annum. 
Mr.  McGee  did  not  find  the  business  either  pleasant  or  profitable  according  to  the 
tradition,  and  sold  it  a  year  later  to  a  Mr.  Wade,  who  ran  it  until  1852.  In  that 
year  the  brewery  buildings  were  rebuilt  and  sold  to  E.  Hetrich,  who  carried  on 
a  prosperous  business  until  his  death,  which  occurred  about  twelve  years  later. 
His  widow  married  William  Beck,  who  took  charge  of  the  business,  made  some 
valuable  improvements,  and  conducted  the  business  until  his  death  four  years 
later.  Mrs.  Beck  attempted  to  act  as  proprietor  for  a  short  time,  but  did  not 
succeed  in  the  undertaking  very  well,  and  sold  out  to  Baier  and  Seyfarth  in 
1869. 

These  gentlemen  took  charge  of  the  Beck  Brewery,  and  continued  the  manu- 
facture of  beers  for  a  while  with  the  amount  of  machinery  possessed  by  the 
old  brewery.  Then  they  laid  foundations  for  one  of  the  finest  plants  in  the  coun- 
try, and  soon  completed  the  building  which  is  still  standing  on  the  corner  of 
Adams  and  Jackson  streets. 

In  1891,  Mr.  Ohlendorf  succeeded  Mr.  Seyfarth,  deceased,  and  the  business 
has  since  been  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Baier  and  Ohlendorf.  The 
concern  takes  great  pride  in  the  quality  of  its  product,  and  spares  no  effort  to 
make  it  perfect.  The  main  brand  of  beer  manufactured  at  the  Freeport  Brew- 
ery is  "Pilsener,"  which  is  put  up  both  in  kegs  and  in  bottles.  The  capacity  of 
the  plant  is  about  thirty  thousand  barrels  of  the  liquid  substance  annually. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  .  519 

SCHMICH    BROTHERS. 

The  Schmich  Brothers  Brewing  Company  is  the  brewery  of  latest  growth  in 
Freeport.  It  occupies  a  large  and  up-to-date  plant  in  East  Freeport,  on  East 
Stephenson  street  and  the  Pecatonica  River,  and  employs  a  large  force  of  work- 
men in  its  various  departments. 

The  history  of  Schmich  Brothers  plant  may  be  traced  back  to  1880,  although 
the  present  concern  was  organized  much  later.  In  1880,  Matthias  Schmich 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  old  Western  Brewery,  now  occupied  by  Franz 
Brothers  Brewing  Company.  For  seven  years  the  business  was  conducted  by 
Messrs.  Schmich  and  Huber  and  in  1887  George  Schmich,  a  brother  of  Matthias, 
purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Huber,  and  the  firm  became  Schmich  Brothers, 
which  it  has  remained  to  this  day. 

The  members  of  the  firm  were  young  and  enterprising  men,  and  they  soon 
found  that,  in  order  to  compete  with  the  other  breweries  of  Freeport  as  well  as 
their  rivals  of  Milwaukee,  their  plant  must  necessarily  undergo  an  enlargement. 
For  a  while,  the  remodelling  of  the  old  Western  Brewery  was  contemplated, 
but  finally  the  firm  secured  a  building  site  in  East  Freeport,  and  erected  their 
present  commodious  and  well  appointed  quarters.  The  plant  was  begun  in 
1896,  and  finished  during  the  early  part  of  1897,  at  a  cost  of  $75,000. 

Various  necessary  improvements  and  additions  have  been  made  in  the  last 
decade  which  raise  the  efficiency  of  the  plant  to  a  high  figure.  The  capacity  is 
about  twenty  thousand  barrels  of  beer  per  annum.  The  factories  contain  two 
splendid  engines,  one  eighty  horse  power  and  the  other  thirty.  The  company 
also  conducts  its  own  artificial  ice  plant,  and  uses  nothing  else.  A  specialty  is 
made  of  the  celebrated  Schmich  Brothers  Rochester  and  Export  bottled  beer, 
and  the  product  is  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  United  States.  The  company  is 
capitalized  at  $100,000  under  the  Illinois  state  laws.  The  officers  are:  Presi- 
dent, Matthias  Schmich ;  secretary,  W.  N.  Cronkrite ;  treasurer,  George  Schmich. 

WESTERN    BREWERY. 

The  Western  Brewery  is  very  old,  having  been  in  existence  since  the  year 
1864.  During  that  year  Michael  and  Mathias  Steffen  erected  two  large  stone 
buildings,  each  100  x  40  and  two  stories  high,  which  they  proposed  to 
devote  exclusively  to  the  manufacture  of  a  superior  quality  of  lager  beer. 
Their  plant,  which  was  located  on  the  Lena  Road,  was  then  far  outside  of  the 
city  limits,  but  is  now  inside  of  the  line.  In  1879  Michael  Huber  bought  the 
plant,  and  in  1880  Matthias  Schmich  became  a  partner  in  the  venture.  Huber 
and  Schmich  remained  the  proprietors  of  the  Western  Brewery  until  1887,  when 
George  Schmich,  a  brother  of  Matthias,  bought  out  Mr.  Huber's  interest  and 
the  firm  became  Schmich  Brothers.  About  ten  years  later,  in  1897,  the  Schmich 
plant  was  transferred  to  its  present  site  in  East  Freeport,  and  the  Western 
Brewery  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Franz  Brothers,  who  have  made  a  great 
success  of  the  venture. 

An  entirely  new  and  up-to-date  plant  has  been  erected,  with  a  capacity  of 
about  fifteen  thousand  barrels  of  beer  per  annum.  A  new  addition  to  the  brew- 


520  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

ery  has  been  an  artificial  ice  plant  which  was  built  about  two  years  ago.  The 
artificial  ice  plant  is  conducted  by  A.  F.  Balles,  who  utilizes  the  product  in  his 
wagon  trade,  and  supports  the  plant  in  connection  with  Franz  Brothers. 

The  Western  Brewery  manufactures  a  high  quality  of  beer,  and  is  doing  a 
lively  and  encouraging  business.  The  trade  is  mostly  local  but  has  become  larger 
of  late  years,  and  includes  a  large  outside  circuit.  Splendid  transportation  facil- 
ities are  offered,  as  the  tracks  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  pass  only  a  few 
hundred  feet  distant  from  the  buildings  of  the  brewery,  and  it  is  altogether  prob- 
able that  advantage  of  this  fact  will  be  taken  to  build  up  an  extensive  outside 
trade.  Franz  Brothers  have  been  in  business  but  a  short  time,  but  already  their 
business  is  established  on  a  sound  basis,  and  their  product  is  known  far  and  wide. 

YELLOW    CREEK   BREWERY. 

The  Yellow  Creek  Brewery  deserves  mention,  as  it  is  the  oldest  brewing  estab- 
lishment of  the  city  of  Freeport.  It  was  founded  in  1845  by  Mathias  Hettinger, 
who,  with  John  Hettinger,  began  in  a  small  way,  and  laid  the  foundation  for 
a  business  which  afterward  assumed  large  proportions. 

In  1852  Mr.  Kachelhoffer  became  a  partner  in  the  business  but  sold  out  in 
1856,  and  retired  from  the  firm.  Adam  Aiker  bought  Mr.  Kachelhoffer's  in- 
terest and  took  part  in  the  business  for  four  years,  his  death  occurring  in 
1860.  Under  the  firm  of  Hettinger  &  Aiker  large  beer  cellars  were  built,  and 
the  equipment  of  the  plant  much  improved.  The  Aiker  interest  was  purchased 
by  Jacob  Haegle  for  $4,000,  and  the  firm  became  Hettinger  &  Haegle.  In 
1869  Michael  Roth  purchased  the  Hettinger  interest  for  $7,500,  and  the  firm  be- 
came Haegle  &  Roth. 

Mr.  Haegle  withdrew  from  the  business  after  many  years  of  connection, 
and  Michael  Roth  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  L.  J.  Roth,  who  still  conducts  the 
business.  The  buildings  of  the  Yellow  Creek  brewery  are  situated  on  the  State 
Road,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  east  of  town.  These  comprise  the  brew  house, 
ice  house,  warehouse,  and  the  attached  buildings,  and  are  commodious  and 
thrifty  in  appearance.  The  capacity  of  the  brewery  is  about  two  thousand  bar- 
rels of  beer  annually.  The  business  done  by  the  Yellow  Creek  brewery  is  al- 
most altogether  local.  Mr.  Roth  has  built  up  a  reputation  for  himself  among 
the  German  citizens  of  Freeport,  and  the  Yellow  Creek  brewery  beer  is  well 
known  as  lager  beer  of  a  high  quality. 

WOODMANSE  MANUFACTURING  COMPANY. 

The  city  of  Freeport  has  always  been  noted  for  its  large  output  of  windmills 
and  pumps.  Not  only  does  it  possess  the  large  plant  of  the  Stover  Manufac- 
turing Company,  but  the  Woodmanse  plant,  which  manufactures  a  grade  of 
windmill  surpassed  by  none  on  the  market.  The  factory,  which  is  a  large  brick 
structure,  on  the  corner  of  Galena  and  Liberty  streets,  has  been  built  and  added 
to  within  the  past  fifteen  years,  and  is  today  as  modern  and  complete  an  insti- 
tution in  every  respect  as  Freeport  can  boast  of. 

The  business  of  the  Woodmanse  Manufacturing  Company  has  always  been 
largely  controlled  by  the  founder  and  present  manager,  Mr.  H.  Woodmanse.  Be- 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  521 

ginning  business  in  a  small  way,  Mr.  Woodmanse  has  worked  up  and  enlarged 
his  market  until  now  the  Woodmanse  product  is  known  throughout  the  country 
as  superior  and  up  to  date  in  every  particular.  The  great  advance  is  due  largely 
to  the  energy  and  ability  of  Mr.  Woodmanse  himself,  who  has  exercised  a  per- 
sonal supervision  over  the  details  of  the  work  at  all  times.  He  has  had  faith 
in  the  excellence  of  his  windmill,  and  has  never  allowed  himself  to  be  discour- 
aged by  any  obstacle  in  his  path.  Mr.  Woodmanse  is  exceedingly  jealous  of 
the  reputation  of  his  windmill,  and  takes  every  precaution  to  turn  out  a  product 
which  will  surpass  any  other  in  existence. 

The  factory  was  established  by  Mr.  Woodmanse  in  1872  near  the  site  where 
it  now  stands,  on  the  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Liberty  (then  Dock)  streets. 
Here  he  opened  a  depot  for  the  sale  of  agricultural  implements,  devoting  him- 
self particularly  to  the  sale  of  the  Marsh  harvester,  one  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred of  which  he  disposed  of  in  six  years.  In  1878,  he  opened  his  factory  on 
its  present  site  on  the  corner  of  Galena  and  Liberty  streets.  He  first  com- 
menced the  manufacture  of  windmills  and  farm  pumps,  but  of  late  years  has 
confined  himself  solely  to  the  Woodmanse  windmill,  and  has  placed  large  num- 
bers of  his  machines  on  the  farms  of  the  surrounding  country.  Mr.  Wood- 
manse is  owner  of  the  controlling  interest  of  his  plant,  by  a  large  amount. 
George  L.  Steenrod  is  superintendent  of  the  factory.  The  output  of  the  fac- 
tory is  about  twenty-five  thousand  of  the  windmills  annually,  and  a  force  of 
over  two  hundred  workmen  are  employed.  The  foreign  trade  in  windmills 
has  grown  of  late  years.  Excellent  freight  facilities  are  offered  by  the  Illinois 
Central  and  Northwestern  Railroads,  whose  tracks  pass  the  Woodmanse  fac- 
tory, and  connection  is  also  afforded  by  means  of  the  Transfer  Bridge,  with  the 
Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railway. 


FREEPORT    GAS,    LIGHT    &    COKE    COMPANY. 

The  Freeport  Gas,  Light  &  Coke  Company,  formerly  known  as  the  Freeport 
Light  &  Fuel  Company,  was  organized  as  early  as  1855.  Before  that  time  the 
only  methods  of  illumination  in  Freeport  were  the  kerosene  lamp,  and  the  ancient 
tallow  candle.  In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1855,  Thomas  J.  Turner  and  a 
number  of  other  public  spirited  citizens  met  and  formed  the  first  gas  company 
of  Freeport's  history.  They  obtained  a  charter  from  the  state  legislature,  per- 
mitting the  incorporation  of  the  company,  and  bearing  the  date  February  15, 
1855.  On  October  i6th  of  the  same  year  the  organization  was  perfected  by  the 
election  of  the  following  officers:  Thomas  J.  Turner,  president;  E.  H.  Hyde, 
treasurer ;  Homer  N.  Hibbard,  secretary.  The  capital  stock  was  fixed  at  $50,000. 

During  the  same  year  grounds  for  the  buildings  of  the  gas  works  were  pur- 
chased, contracts  were  let,  and  the  work  of  construction  was  begun.  Early  in 
1856  they  were  completed.  The  spot  where  they  were  first  built  is  still  oc- 
cupied by  the  gas  company  buildings,  the  original  structures  having  been  re- 
placed by  the  modern  and  up-to-date  edifices. 

The  company  continued  to  operate  the  works  for  a  number  of  years,  but 
did  not  make  a  success  of  the  business  end  of  the  venture,  and  sold  out  to 
Thompson  Dean,  a  Cincinnati  capitalist.  About  September  i,  1863,  Mr.  Dean 


522  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

also  withdrew  from  the  business  and  sold  out  to  S.  S.  Ashcraft  and  Thomas 
Butterworth.  These  officers  remained  in  charge  until  May  14,  1867,  when  the 
gas  works  were  purchased  by  L.  K.  Scofield  and  C.  S.  Hill,  of  Freeport,  at  a 
cost  of  $23,626.  On  the  26th  of  July,  1871,  Mr.  Hill  sold  his  interest  to  L.  L. 
Munn,  who  operated  the  works  in  conjunction  with  Mr.  Scofield,  until  Feb- 
ruary 26,  1879.  On  that  date  Mr.  Scofield  withdrew  from  the  business,  and 
went  to  engage  in  business  in  Fort  Scott,  Kansas.  His  interests  in  the  gas 
works  was  purchased  by  L.  Z.  Farwell,  and  Farwell  and  Munn  remained  in 
charge  until  1890.  Then  Mr.  Munn  disposed  of  his  interest  to  Mr.  Farwell, 
who  conducted  the  business  alone  until  1895.  In  1895  the  works  were  bought 
out  by  a  stock  company,  which  now  controls  the  plants.  The  new  company 
numbers  among  its  members  some  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Freeport,  and  was 
incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Illinois  as  "The  Freeport  Light  & 
Fuel  Company,"  with  a  capital  stock  of  $100,000. 

Three  years  ago  a  business  deal  was  concluded  by  Charles  D.  Knowlton, 
president  of  the  gas  company,  by  which  the  holdings  of  the  stock  company  were 
to  be  transferred  to  Charles  W.  Morse,  a  New  York  capitalist.  On  the  failure 
of  that  gentleman  to  complete  his  part  of  the  deal,  the  bargain  was  declared  off, 
and  the  stock  company  is  again  for  the  present  in  charge. 

The  secretary  and  manager  of  the  company  is  Z.  T.  F.  Runner,  who  has  held 
the  position  for  many  years.  He  has  been  associated  with  the  plant  since  1868, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  spent  on  the  road  as  a  traveling  salesman,  owing 
to  failing  health.  Mr.  Runner  has  made  the  manufacture  of  gas  an  intensive 
study,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  most  thorough  gas  men  in  the  business. 

FREEPORT   RAILWAY,    LIGHT    &    POWER   COMPANY. 

The  existence  of  an  electric  light  company  in  Freport  dates  from  1882,  in 
which  year  the  first  company,  known  as  the  Freeport  Van  De  Poele  Electric 
Light  and  Power  Company  was  established.  Previous  to  1882,  the  streets  of  the 
city  had  been  shrouded  in  darkness  by  night.  The  gas  company,  in  accordance 
with  its  contracts  with  the  city,  had  put  up  a  number  of  gas  lamps,  but  for 
one  reason  or  another,  they  were  unsatisfactory  and  were  discontinued.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  of  1882,  the  Van  De  Poele  Company,  of  Chicago,  gave  several 
exhibitions  with  the  light  in  this  city,  and  succeeded  in  interesting  Freeport 
capitalists  in  the  project  of  organizing  a  company.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  the 
above  mentioned  company  was  organized  with  a  capital  stock  of  $25,000,  and 
a  contract  to  light  the  city  for  a  period  of  twenty-five  years.  On  December  26, 
1882,  the  plant,  which  was  located  near  the  Illinois  Central  tracks  on  Galena 
street,  was  put  into  operation.  By  the  close  of  1883,  the  company  had  forty 
lights  in  operation  in  the  city  hotels  and  stores,  but  no  move  had  been  made  to 
light  the  streets.  In  July,  1885,  the  matter  was  brought  before  the  city  coun- 
cil, who  granted  the  company  a  five  year's  contract,  the  city  to  pay  $4,500  an- 
nually for  the  light.  The  plant  was  then  owned  by  a  stock  company,  in  which 
D.  C.  Stover,  Charles  Nieman,  Fred  Gund,  and  R.  H.  Wiles  were  the  principal 
holders.  A  difficulty  arose  between  the  gas  and  electric  companies,  which  was 
immediately  forestalled  by  the  purchase  of  the  electric  light  plant  by  Farwell 


OPERA   HOrSK.  FREEPORT 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  523 

and  Munn,  owners  of  the  gas  works.  In  1886  a  new  power  station  was  erected 
close  to  the  gas  works,  and  three  years  later  a  large  Westinghouse  incandescent 
dynamo  was  added  to  the  equipment  of  the  plant. 

On  the  22&  of  February,  1890,  a  disastrous  fire  completely  destroyed  the 
electric  light  plant,  and  L.  Z.  Farwell,  who  had  recently  purchased  the  interest 
of  Mr.  Munn  was  left  to  bear  the  loss  alone.  He  immediately  rebuilt  the  plant, 
and  in  August,  1893,  he  removed  the  plant  to  Liberty  street  where  he  erected 
a  brick  building,  50  x  150,  and  established  a  system  of  power  and  lighting,  repre- 
senting an  outlay  of  $75,000,  furnishing  the  city  and  private  consumers  with 
ninety  arc  lamps.  Mr.  Farwell  remained  sole  owner  until  the  summer  of  1894, 
when  the  plant  was  purchased  by  the  Freeport  General  Electric  Company. 

The  origin  of  the  Freeport  General  Electric  was  in  1886,  when  Messrs.  F.  C. 
Platt  and  G.  D.  Clinger,  of  Waterloo,  Iowa,  introduced  the  subject  of  a  street 
railway  system  to  the  citizens  of  Freeport,  and  succeeded  in  interesting  several 
capitalists  in  the  project.  A  company  was  organized  on  October  16,  of  that 
year,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $45,000,  and  incorporated  by  F.  C.  Platt,  G.  D. 
Clinger,  Jacob  Krohn,  J.  B.  Taylor  and  W.  G.  Barnes.  Large  stables  were 
erected  on  Taylor  avenue,  and  a  horse  car  system  operating  four  miles  of  track 
was  installed.  The  lines  were  on  Carroll,  Williams  and  Chicago  streets,  Oak 
Place,  and  North  Galena  avenue,  with  a  west  and  east  line  on  Stephenson  street 
and  Taylor  ovenue,  intersecting  the  north  and  south  line  at  the  corner  of  Ste- 
phenson and  Chicago  streets.  On  November  4,  1886,  the  company  elected  the 
following  officers :  Jacob  Krohn,  president ;  F.  C.  Platt,  vice  president ;  J.  B. 
Taylor,  secretary;  W.  G.  Barnes,  treasurer;  G.  D.  Clinger,  general  manager. 
The  cars  began  to  operate  on  Thanksgiving  Day,  1886. 

In  January,  1887,  G.  D.  Clinger  sold  his  interest  in  the  enterprise  to  J.  B. 
Taylor,  and  F.  C.  Platt  disposed  of  most  of  his  stock  to  the  same  gentleman. 
Hiram  Warner,  of  Morris,  Illinois,  became  general  manager.  In  the  winter  of 
1892-3,  Congressman  Mutchler,  of  Pennsylvania,  visited  Freeport,  purchased 
the  horse  car  lines,  and  in  company  with  some  other  gentlemen,  proceeded  to 
convert  it  into  an  electric  railway.  On  August  n,  1894,  the  work  of  putting 
down  new  rails  was  commenced,  and  the  trolley  cars  arrived  the  following  No- 
vember. On  the  first  of  December,  of  that  year,  the  Freeport  Electric  Light  and 
Power  plant  was  purchased,  and  the  light  and  power  systems  consolidated  into 
one  under  the  title  of  the  Freeport  General  Electric  Company. 

The  Freeport  General  Electric  Company  continued  to  do  business  for  about 
seven  years,  and  gave  the  citizens  of  Freeport  excellent  service.  The  terminals 
of  the  various  lines  were  extended,  and  the  rolling  stock  of  the  company  kept 
in  excellent  condition.  About  ten  years  ago,  the  business  was  purchased  by 
A.  P.  and  A.  J.  Goddard,  who  moved  the  electric  light  plant  from  its  location 
on  Liberty  street  to  the  old  Goddard's  Mill  site,  Clark  avenue  and  the  river.  A 
new  power  house  was  built,  and  the  water  power  afforded  by  the  Pecatonica 
river  dam,  familiarly  known  as  Goddard's  dam,  was  utilized.  The  old  structure, 
formerly  occupied  by  the  mills  of  Goddard  and  Clark,  was  also  used.  This, 
however,  burned  down  about  two  years  ago,  and  the  brick  power  house,  with 
additions  and  changes,  was  used  alone. 


524  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

A.  P.  and  A.  J.  Goddard  made  a  number  of  extensions  to  the  street  railway 
system,  when  they  took  possession  of  the  lines,  building  the  extension  in  the 
southeastern  portion  of  the  city,  which  is  known  to  Freeporters  as  "the  loop." 
The  Loop  Line  runs  east  from  the  old  Carroll  street  terminal  at  Empire  street 
to  Bauscher  street,  north  of  Bauscher  street  to  Adams  street,  northwest  on 
Adams  street  to  Chippewa  street,  north  on  Chippewa  street  to  Shawnee  street, 
east  on  Shawnee  street  to  Gund  avenue,  north  and  west  on  Gund  avenue  to 
Hancock  avenue,  north  on  Hancock  avenue  to  Taylor  avenue,  connecting  with 
the  East  Stephenson  street  line  of  the  company.  The  building  of  this  line 
helped  to  open  up  the  Arcade  addition,  and  other  parts  of  the  city,  which  were 
formerly  altogether  without  transportation  facilities.  It  is  no  longer  in  opera- 
tion, except  in  parts,  having  been  discontinued  on  account  of  difficulties  with  the 
railroad  companies  whose  tracks  it  crosses  several  times. 

About  six  years  ago  a  competing  company  was  organized  under  the  title 
of  the  Freeport  Light  &  Power  Company,  Charles  E.  Gregory,  of  Chicago,  being 
the  chief  instigator.  When  A.  P.  Goddard  died,  the  firm  of  "A.  P.  and  A.  J. 
Goddard"  became  the  Freeport  Railway,  Light  and  Power  Company,  and  Al- 
pheus  J.  Goddard  continued  to  fill  the  position  of  general  superintendent.  For 
several  years  the  two  rival  light  and  power  companies  ran  side  by  side.  In 
July,  1910,  the  two  companies  consolidated,  Charles  E.  Gregory  being  elected 
president,  and  Alpheus  J.  Goddard  vice  president.  It  is  planned  to  thoroughly 
renovate  and  renew  the  rolling  stock  of  the  company,  and  effect  a  much  needed 
improvement  in  the  street  railway  system.  A  new  extension  to  connect  the 
western  terminals  of  the  Stephenson  street  and  North  Galena  avenue  lines  is 
planned.  It  is  said  that  the  company  has  bought  a  large  tract  of  land  west  of 
North  Globe  avenue  and  plans  to  run  its  line  through,  plat  the  addition,  and  open 
it  up  to  buyers.  The  scheme  is  a  good  one,  and  as  the  country  is  particularly 
beautiful  and  well  adapted  to  residence  lots,  and  is,  moreover,  in  that  section 
of  suburban  Freeport  in  which  the  natural  growth  of  the  city  is  trending,  the 
addition  of  transportation  facilities  should  make  the  lots  sell  like  hot  cakes. 

J.   W.   MILLER  COMPANY. 

The  J.  W.  Miller  Incubator  Company,  a  private  concern  owned  by  J.  W. 
Miller,  has  its  factory  and  offices  at  the  south  end  of  Oak  Place,  between  the 
Illinois  Central  tracks  and  the  river.  It  had  its  origin  in  the  J.  W.  Miller  Poul- 
try farm,  which  was  located  on  the  owner's  farm  south  of  town.  The  poultry 
business  was  begun  by  Mr.  Miller  about  twenty  years  ago,  and  continued  until 
1901,  when  the  present  work  of  manufacturing  incubators  and  brooders  was 
commenced. 

While  the  concern  is  one  of  the  smaller  factories  of  Freeport,  yet  Mr. 
Miller  does  a  large  business,  both  in  Stephenson  county  and  in  the  adjoining 
states.  He  began  the  work  of  making  incubators  and  brooders  on  his  farm  on 
the  Dunbar  road,  and  continued  there  for  two  years.  He  then  moved  into  the 
Stover  building,  which  he  occupied  for  two  years  more.  From  the  Stover 
building,  Mr.  Miller  moved  to  his  present  factory,  where  he  has  been  located 
for  about  five  years. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  525 

About  fifty  men  are  employed  by  the  Miller  Company  during  the  busy  season. 
The  average  yearly  output  of  incubators  and  brooders  is  in  the  neighborhood 
of  fifteen  thousand.  The  tracks  of  the  Illinois  Central,  which  pass  the  factory, 
offer  good  shipping  facilities. 

FREEPORT  ARTIFICIAL  ICE  AND  COLD  STORAGE  COMPANY. 

The  Freeport  Artificial  Ice  and  Cold  Storage  Company,  makers  of  pure  dis- 
tilled water  artificial  ice,  organized  their  company  in  January,  1907,  and  elected 
the  following  officers :  President,  W.  E.  Fry ;  vice-president,  W.  H.  Flachte- 
meier;  secretary,  W.  H.  Foil;  treasurer,  W.  N.  Tice. 

Immediately  after  the  work  of  organization  was  accomplished,  the  ice  fac- 
tory now  in  use  was  built.  The  plant  is  located  south  of  the  Illinois  Central 
tracks  at  the  corner  of  Adams  street  and  Clark  avenue.  Although  built  with  a 
view  to  supplying  every  demand  in  case  of  a  large  increase  in  business,  the  plant 
is  already  too  small  to  satisfy  the  wants  of  the  growing  business.  A  new  addi- 
tion is  contemplated  by  the  directors  of  the  company,  but  no  definite  action  has 
been  taken  as  yet. 

The  machinery  used  is  of  the  most  up-to-date  variety,  and  was  purchased 
from  the  Henry  Vogt  Machine  Company,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky.  The  absorp- 
tion system  is  employed,  and  the  ice  is  frozen  in  cans.  Pure  distilled  well  water 
is  used  throughout,  and  the  precautions  taken  to  insure  perfect  purity  in  the  fin- 
ished product  are  in  evidence  at  every  stage  of  the  manufacture.  The  water 
used  is  obtained  from  the  company's  own  wells.  It  is  converted  into  steam, 
forced  into  the  condenser  at  the  top  of  the  building,  then  conveyed  through  a 
number  of  skimmers  and  filters,  charcoal  and  sponge,  into  a  boiler,  where  it  is 
re-boiled  at  a  temperature  of  212  degrees.  The  water  thus  purified  is  poured 
into  the  freezing  cans  and  lowered  into  tanks  of  calcium  chloride  brine.  Pipes 
carrying  ammonia  gas  suround  the  freezing  can,  and  the  action  of  the  ammonia 
gas  on  the  calcium  chloride  brine  produces  a  temperature  low  enough  to  freeze 
the  contents  of  the  can.  The  cans  contain  three  hundred  pound  cakes  of  ice, 
and,  at  a  temperature  of  fourteen  degrees  above  zero,  forty-eight  hours  are  con- 
sumed in  the  process  of  freezing. 

About  sixteen  hands  are  employed  by  the  company  during  the  busy  season, 
which  is,  of  course,  every  season  except  midwinter.  Four  wagons  are  constantly 
employed  to  distribute  the  product,  and  the  plant  turns  out  on  an  average  twenty- 
eight  tons  of  ice  every  twenty-four  hours.  Large  ice-houses  adjoin  the  ice  fac- 
tory, but  the  capacity  of  both  factory  and  ice-houses  is  now  taxed  to  the  ut- 
most. In  addition  to  the  local  business,  the  company  does  some  shipping.  A 
spur  track  of  the  Illinois  Central  enters  the  company's  grounds,  and  thus  fur- 
nishes good  transportation  facilities. 

FREEPORT    SHOE    MANUFACTURING    COMPANY. 

The  Freeport  Shoe  Manufacturing  Company  was  organized  in  September, 
1900,  by  a  company  of  Freeport  gentlemen,  of  whom  Fred  Dorman  was  elected 
president,  Henry  Baier  vice-president,  Will  H.  Foil  secretary  and  treasurer,  and 


526  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

B.  Goldman  superintendent.  The  idle  and  deserted  factory  of  the  H.  Meyer 
Boot  and  Shoe  Company  was  purchased,  the  original  firm  having  failed  after  a 
short  and  satisfactory  career,  and  the  manufacture  of  boots  and  shoes  was  imme- 
diately commenced. 

The  manner  in  which  the  Freeport  Shoe  Company  has  built  up  a  trade  has 
been  nothing  short  of  miraculous.  The  market  was  at  ftVst  restricted  to  almost 
nothing,  but  within  ten  years  the  output  has  grown  so  enormously  that  today 
one  thousand  pairs  of  boots  and  shoes  are  made  daily.  The  whole  of  the  product 
is  at  present  sold  to  the  Selz,  Schwab  &  Company,  of  Chicago. 

The  factory  is  located  in  West  Freeport,  south  of  Lincoln  Boulevard,  in  the 
addition  known  as  the  Shoe  Factory  Addition.  The  plant  is  well  equipped  in 
every  respect,  and  employs  the  most  up-to-date  machinery.  A  force  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five  hands  is  employed  throughout  the  year. 

A  number  of  changes  have  occurred  in  the  ownership  of  the  company  since 
its  comparatively  recent  organization,  but  the  list  of  officers  is,  with  one  excep- 
tion, unchanged.  The  present  officials  are:  President,  Fred  Dorman;  vice  presi- 
dent, Henry  Baier;  secretary,  H.  H.  Antrim;  treasurer  and  superintendent,  B. 
Goldman. 

KEENE  CANNING  COMPANY. 

The  Keene  Canning  Company  was  started  under  the  firm  of  Emory  &  Keene 
in  the  year  1887.  The  first  factory  was  located  across  the  river  in  East  Free- 
port,  but  the  company  remained  there  only  a  year.  Mr.  Emory  then  left  the 
business,  and  F.  O.  Keene  has  since  been  sole  proprietor  and  manager.  In  1888 
the  business  was  moved  to  its  present  location  at  the  foot  of  Monterey  street, 
close  to  the  Illinois  Central  tracks.  Hardly  had  the  new  factory  been  erected 
when  a  disastrous  fire  destroyed  the  whole  property,  entailing  an  enormous  loss. 
Mr.  Keene  was  in  the  east  when  the  fire  occurred,  and  as  soon  as  he  returned 
commenced  the  erection  of  a  new  factory. 

Hard  times  ensued  for  the  Keene  Canning  Company,  and  it  is  due  to  the 
pluck  and  persistency  of  Mr.  Keene  that  the  company  has  reached  its  present 
prosperous  condition.  Last  winter,  1909,  the  new  factory,  a  fine  three-story 
brick  building,  was  built  to  replace  the  old  frame  structure. 

The  company  cans  three  articles  of  food :  corn,  peas,  and  pumpkin.  The 
first  vegetable  canned  was  corn.;  then,  a  few  years  ago,  Mr.  Keene  began  the 
work  of  canning  sugar  peas,  and,  finally,  pumpkin.  The  new  factory  is  up-to- 
date  and  contains  entirely  modern  machinery.  Formerly  some  of  the  work, 
such  as  the  husking  of  corn,  was  done  by  hand,  but  for  some  years  all  of  the  work 
has  been  done  by  machinery.  Now  the  product  is  not  touched  from  the  time 
it  leaves  the  farmer's  wagon  until  the  can  is  opened  by  the  consumer.  Machin- 
ery conveys  the  unhusked  corn  from  the  bins,  where  it  is  unloaded,  to  the  third 
story  of  the  building,  where  it  is  husked,  shelled,  cooked,  and  canned.  The 
cans  are  then  automatically  sealed,  and  put  through  a  machine  which  decorates 
them  with  wrappers  indicating  the  brand. 

Formerly  the  peas  were  all  shelled  at  the  factory,  but  now  much  of  this  work 
is  done  at  the  farms,  and  the  peas  are  brought  to  town  already  shelled.  Mr. 


mSTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  527 

Keene  owns  a  large  number  of  farms  himself,  nearly  1,000  acres  in  all,  where 
he  grows  all  of  his  peas  and  a  small  quantity  of  corn.  The  balance  is  purchased 
from  the  farmers  of  the  vicinity.  The  different  farms  belonging  to  the  Keene 
Canning  Company  are  located  in  every  portion  of  the  county.  There  are  large 
tracts  south  of  town,  and  also  in  Lancaster  Township.  The  largest  pea  produc- 
ing farm  is  located  in  Lancaster,  a  short  distance  northeast  of  town,  and  is 
known  as  Pea  Ridge.  Here  an  auxiliary  plant  has  been  erected,  and  the  work  of 
shelling  the  peas  is  practically  all  done  here.  When  the  peas  are  brought  to  the 
Freeport  plant  they  are  ready  to  be  cleaned,  cooked,  and  canned  immediately. 

The  pumpkin  industry  is  of  recent  'growth.  The  product  is  canned  both  in 
the  ordinary  sized  cans,  in  quart  tins,  in,  gallon  tins,  and  in  other  receptacles  of 
varying  sizes.  About  1,400  tons  of  pumpkin  were  canned  last  year. 

The  capacity  of  the  cannery,  since  the  addition  of  the  new  machinery,  is  very 
large.  About  120,000  cans  of  goods  are  manufactured  daily,  which  makes  a 
total  of  nearly  4,000,000  cans  of  goods  for  the  entire  season.  Of  the  4,000,000, 
about  2,250,000  cans  are  of  corn,  1,000,000  of  peas,  and  less  than  1,000,000  of 
pumpkin.  The  equipment  of  the  factory  is  such  that  240  tons  of  corn  can  be 
handled  daily. 

As  regards  machinery  and  equipment,  the  factory  is  thoroughly  up-to-date. 
They  possess  a  340  H.  P.  boiler,  a  150  H.  P.  engine,  and  a  30  H.  P.  engine. 
Among  the  farm  equipment  is  a  gasoline  plow,  fifty  horses  and  mules,  between 
thirty  and  forty  wagons,  reapers,  and  seeding  machines,  etc.  From  one  hundred 
and  fifty  to  two  hundred  hands  are  employed  at  the  factory  during  the  busy  sea- 
son, which,  however,  does  not  last  throughout  the  entire  year.  A  visit  to  the 
establishment  is  well  worth  one's  time,  and  the  process  of  cooking  and  canning 
is  extremely  interesting.  F.  O.  Keene  is  in  direct  control  of  the  concern,  and 
acts  as  manager  and  superintendent. 

D.  E.   SWAN  COMPANY. 

The  D.  E.  Swan  Organ  Company,  manufacturers  of  high  grade  cabinet  or- 
gans, is  a  concern  of  recent  growth,  although  its  predecessors  have  been  in  ope- 
ration for  a  number  of  years.  The  Burdett  Organ  Company,  which  preceded 
it,  was  organized  by  the  Burdett  Brothers,  and  bought  the  factory  formerly  oc- 
cupied by  the  Johnson  Wheel  Company  in  North  Freeport.  The  Burdett  Com- 
pany was  in  existence  for  a  number  of  years,  and  then  sold  out  to  the  Cable 
Company,  manufacturers  of  pianos  and  organs.  When  the  Cable  Company  de- 
cided to  remove  its  plant  from  Freeport  two  years  ago,  the  Freeport  property 
was  purchased  by  D.  E.  Swan,  general  superintendent  of  the  plant,  and  the 
organ  business  was  continued. 

The  Swan  factory  occupies  a  large  lot  north  of  the  addition  in  North  Free- 
port  known  as  the  Wheel  Factory  addition.  It  is  a  large  structure,  meeting  sat- 
isfactorily the  insistent  demands  of  the  growing  company  for  additional  floor 
space.  The  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  whose  Wallace  yards  are  situated  just 
west  of  the  organ  factory,  offers  facilities  for  transportation  of  the  manu- 
factured product,  and  in  this  respect  the  Swan  Organ  Factory's  location  sur- 
passes that  of  any  manufacturing  concern  in  the  city. 


528  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  company  manufactures  a  high  grade  instrument,  and  has  a  large  yearly 
output.  Over  one  hundred  hands  are  employed  in  the  various  departments, 
and  the  prospects  for  the  future  of  the  D.  E.  Swan  Organ  Company  are  ex- 
tremely bright. 

HENNEY    BUGGY  COMPANY. 

The  name  "Henney"  has  been  one  around  which  much  of  Freeport's  indus- 
trial progress  has  been  built  up.  John  W.  Henney,  Sr.,  came  to  this  county  in 
1848  and  in  1868  he  began  the  manufacture  of  buggies  and  carriages  in  a  small 
shop  at  Cedarville.  The  business  grew  to  such  proportions  that  he  moved  his 
business  to  Freeport  and  established  the  celebrated  Henney  Buggy  Company.  The 
business  developed  rapidly  and  soon  became  one  of  the  leading  industries  of  its 
kind  in  America.  The  name  plate  "Henney"  on  a  buggy  or  carriage  meant  a 
guarantee  of  honest  material  and  workmanship,  and  did  much  to  give  Freeport 
a  nation-wide  reputation  as  a  manufacting  center.  While  the  business  has  passed 
into  the  hands  of  the  Motive  Plow  Company,  Mr.  Henney  is  still  connected  with 
Freeport  enterprises,  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  and  is  one  of  the 
county's  most  honored  and  distinguished  citizens. 

THE  CHARLES   E.    MEYER  COMPANY. 

In  1858,  over  50  years  ago,  the  Meyer  Company  began  the  manufacture  of 
vinegar  in  Freeport.  The  business  has  enjoyed  a  remarkable  progress,  and  large 
shipments  are  made  all  over  the  middle  west.  The  company  suffered  a  heavy 
loss  by  fire  a  few  year  ago,  but  have  gone  on  increasing  the  output.  In  July, 
1910,  the  company  bought  the  buildings  of  the  Bear  Brening  Company,  at  60 
Oak  place,  and  will  now  have  a  plant  adequate  to  meet  the  demands  of  the 
trade.  Mr.  Stahl,  at  the  head  of  this  company,  is  one  of  the  Freeport's  most 
capable  young  business  men  and  that  insures  the  future  success  of  the  organiza- 
tion. 

THE  WALLACE  SEVERANCE  GAS  MACHINE  COMPANY. 

This  company  is  the  originator  and  manufacturer  of  the  Wallace  Severance 
Gas  Machines,  for  lighting  and  cooking  purposes.  The  company  has  been  in 
business  eight  years,  operating  in  the  old  Shrinkler  building  at  first  and  then 
moving  to  present  quarters  at  43  South  Galena  avenue.  This  invention  has 
made  it  possible  for  a  man  to  have  his  own  gas  plant  in  his  home  or  in  his  place 
of  business.  The  company  is  doing  an  increasing  business  over  the  western 
states  through  traveling  salesmen  and  local  agents. 

THE  FREEPORT  GAS   MACHINE  COMPANY. 

The  Freeport  Gas  Machine  Company  is  located  on  Stephenson  street,  and 
manufactures  and  sells  the  Freeport  Gas  Machine,  an  automatic  gas  plant  pro- 
ducing a  gas  suitable  for  cooking  and  illuminating  purposes.  The  officials  of 
the  company  are :  President,  Dr.  D.  C.  L.  Mease ;  Vice  President,  H.  J.  Johnson ; 
Manager,  S.  P.  Wallace;  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  A.  Stoller.  The  "Freeport" 
Gas  Machine  is  sold  in  large  numbers  throughout  the  western  states.  The  gas 
machine  is  in  great  demand  in  the  rural  communities  and  in  small  towns  where 


J.  W.  HKXXKY'S  FIRST  FACTORY  AT  CEDAHVILLE 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  (» 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  529 

there  are  no  large  gas  plants.     Many  farmers  light  both  house  and  barn.     This 
company  is  doing  a  good  business  and  has  excellent  prospects. 

THE  ILLINOIS  CENTRAL  SHOPS. 

One  of  Freeport's  best  industrial  establishments  is  the  Illinois  Central  Shops. 
The  plant  is  a  large  one  covering  several  acres  of  ground  and  employs  about 
300  men.  It  does  an  immense  business  in  repairing  and  rebuilding  Illinois 
Central  rolling  stock.  The  machine  shops  and  the  round  house  are  equipped 
with  the  best  and  latest  improved  machinery. 

The  officials  of  the  Illinois  Central  Shops  are  all  practical  men  of  the 
highest  order  of  ability :  Master  Mechanic,  Victor  Powell ;  Train  Master,  Martin 
Flannigan ;  General  Foreman,  Edward  Lawless ;  Floor  Boss,  Mr.  Dick ;  Black- 
smith Foreman,  Jack  Sweeney. 

FREEPORT  FACTORIES. 

The  last  five  years  have  seen  the  most  rapid  growth  of  the  manufacturing 
interests  of  Freeport  that  the  city  has  ever  known.  The  Henney  Buggy  Com- 
pany, now  the  Moline  Plow  Company,  has  more  than  doubled  its  buildings,  its 
numbers  of  employees  and  its  output.  Besides  large  additions  to  the  old  plant 
two  large  new  buildings  have  been  on  the  site  of  the  old  Robinson  plant.  The 
Stover  Engine  Works,  the  Stover  Manufacturing  Company  and  Woodmansees, 
have  made  steady  advances.  The  Organ  factory,  the  Illinois  Central  Shops, 
the  Shoe  factory,  Hoefer's  and  the  Arcade  are  all  doing  an  increasing  business. 
The  new  Ziegler-Schryer  Company  is  forging  ahead  with  strides  that  warrant 
the  belief  that  it  will  soon  be  one  of  Freeport's  largest  concerns. 

Quality  has  always  been  the  standard  with  Freeport  manufacturers.  Free- 
port  goods  have  been  shipped  to  all  civilized  countries  of  the  world,  and  "Made 
in  Freeport"  is  a  stamp  that  sells.  Besides  encouraging  established  factories, 
Freeport  offers  excellent  inducements  to  new  concerns.  Good  factory  sites  are 
to  be  had  and  the  Citizens  Commercial  Association  is  always  ready  to  give  sup- 
port to  legitimate  concerns.  The  railroad  facilities  are  first  class  and  no  bet- 
ter banking  houses  are  to  be  found  in  any  city  in  the  country.  In  fact,  there 
is  nothing  wanting  to  make  the  city  a  big  manufacturing  center. 

J.    W.    MILLER   COMPANY. 

The  Freeport  Journal  of  January  n,  1909,  gives  the  following  as  the  annual 
output  of  the  J.  W.  Miller  Company:  Annual  business  of  the  poultry  farm 
$40,000;  annual  output  of  incubators  and  brooder,  30,000;  fireless  cookers,  7,000. 

The  company  employs  about  100  people. 

\ 

STORES. 

The  oldest  business  in  Freeport  run  by  one  family  is  that  of  William  O. 
Wright  on  Stephenson  Street  at  the  corner  of  Stehpenson  and  Chicago.  This 
store  occupies  two  rooms  for  the  clothing  and  shoe  departments.  The  business 
was  founded  by  Orestus  H.  Wright,  who  came  to  Freeport  in  December,  1836. 
Early  in  1737  he  opened  a  store  in  a  log  building  near  the  river.  The  same  year 
he  built  a  frame  store  and  later  built  the  first  three-story  building  in  Freeport, 


530  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

the  building  now  occupied  by  the  Cascade  Laundry.  He  was  largely  instru- 
mental in  building  the  first  bridge  across  the  river  and  exerted  great  influence  in 
bringing  the  railroad  to  Freeport.  He  held  the  offices  of  Probate  Judge  and 
County  Clerk.  He  died  in  1851.  His  son,  William  O.  Wright,  who  now  con- 
ducts the  business,  was  born  in  Freeport  in  1841,  four  years  after  the  county 
was  organized.  It  has  fallen  to  the  lot  of  but  few  men  now  living,  to  have  lived 
in  Freeport  sixty-nine  years  ago.  He  has  seen  Freeport  grow  from  a  shack, 
frontier  village  of  a  few  settlers,  to  a  city  of  over  twenty  thousand  people.  He 
was  educated  at  Beloit  College.  Learning  the  printer's  trade  in  the  office  of  the 
old  Prairie  Democrat,  he  started  the  "Northwest,"  a  weekly  newspaper.  In  the 
Civil  War  Mr.  Wright  served  in  the  Adjutant  General's  office  under  General 
Hurlburt,  in  Colonel  Putnam's  regiment.  He  is  a  Mason,  a  member  of  the 
Freeport  Club,  was  several  years  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  a  direc- 
tor in  the  Gas  Company  and  the  First  National  Bank.  For  over  twenty  years 
Mr.  Wright  was  a  member  of  the  Democratic  State  Central  Committee.  His 
life,  almost  contemporaneous  with  the  history  of  Freeport,  has  been  and  is  now 
one  of  wide  influence  in  northern  Illinois. 

Mr.  L.  Z.  Farwell,  one  of  the  most  prominent  of  Freeport's  older  business 
men,  has  been  a  resident  of  Stephenson  County  since  coming  here  with  his  pa- 
rents in  1852.  In  1860  he  came  to  Freeport  and  in  1861  formed  a  partnership 
with  Mr.  O.  B.  Bidwell.  The  firm  of  Bidwell  &  Farwell  conducted  a  wholesale 
notion  business  over  Illinois,  Wisconsin  and  Iowa.  In  1871  Mr.  Farwell  bought 
Mr.  Bidwell's  interest  and  conducted  the  bsuiness  alone  from  1871  to  1885, 
doing  at  times  a  half  million  dollar  business  annually.  In  1877  Mr.  Farwell 
bought  a  half  interest  in  the  Gas  Company  and  bought  Mr.  Munn's  interest  in 
1890  and  conducted  that  alone  till  1895  when  he  sold  to  a  stock  company.  In 
1879  ne  organized  a  telephone  company  in  which  he  still  holds  a  large  interest 
and  of  which  he  is  president.  Besides  other  interests  he  is  a  director  of  the 
Second  National  Bank  in  which  he  is  a  heavy  stockholder.  For  fifty  years  Mr. 
Farwell  has  been  recognized  as  one  of  Freeport's  most  successful  business  men. 

He  has  always  taken  a  great  interest  in  the  Freeport  Club,  of  which  he  has 
been  president  for  years.  His  son,  Mr.  Roy  K.  Farwell,  is  secretary  of  the 
Freeport  Telephone  Exchange  Company,  and  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation, and  is  prominent  among  the  younger  business  men  of  Freeport. 

William  Koenig  came  to  Freeport  in  1856.  He  was  an  apprentice  at  the 
cabinet  trade  with  Darius  Kuehner.  He  then  worked  five  years  for  J.  B.  Sny- 
der  and  entering  business  for  himself,  formed  a  partnership  with  David  Hunt. 
In  1880  Mr.  Koenig  bought  Mr.  Hunt's  interest  and  has  since  conducted  the 
business  alone.  In  1895  he  built  the  large  four-story  building  now  occupied  by 
his  furniture  store  at  the  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Mechanic  streets.  He  has 
operated  one  of  the  most  complete  furniture  stores  in  northern  Illinois.  He 
was  a  large  stockholder  in,  and  secretary  of,  the  Robinson  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany. He  is  now  assisted  in  the  business  by  his  son,  Robert,  a  recent  graduate 
of  the  University  of  Wisconsin. 

Mr.  Loyal  L.  Munn,  Sr.,  came  to  Freeport  from  New  York  State  in  1846, 
at  the  age  of  seventeen.  He  taught  school  one  year  and  in  1850  went  into  the 
insurance  business.  In  1853  he  organized  the  Stephenson  Insurance  Company 


M*     -IK 


ILLINOIS    CENTRAL  UAILHOAI)  SHOPS 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  531 

and  was  secretary  till  1865.  He  was  in  the  dry  goods  business  from  1866  to 
1869,  and  in  the  Gas  Company  from  1871  to  1889.  In  1862  he  built  the  Munn 
Building.  In  1893  he  bought  a  large  interest  in  the  Arcade  Manufacturing 
Company  and  was  president  of  that  concern.  Mr.  Munn  died  in  1908.  He  was 
a  man  of  remarkable  resources  and  energy.  He  was  a  thirty-third  degree 
Mason. 

Hon.  August  Bergman  was  one  of  Stephenson  County's  leading  business 
men  of  the  second  generation.  He  came  here  in  1852.  He  was  born  in  the 
village  of  Meinberg,  Germany,  in  1835.  His  first  work  in  Freeport  was  in  a 
brickyard,  where  he  labored  eight  years.  In  1864  he  entered  the  livery  business 
and  began  the  agricultural  implement  business  in  1867.  The  firm  of  Bergman 
&  Dorman  expanded  rapidly  till  it  was  one  of  the  largest  in  northern  Illinois. 
The  partnership  being  dissolved  he  conducted  the  implement  business  till  his 
death  early  in  1910. 

Mr.  Bergman  had  held  the  following  offices :  Street  commissioner,  alderman, 
mayor  three  terms,  president  of  the  Board  of  Education,  director  of  the  Ger- 
man Insurance  Company,  etc.  He  was  one  of  the  most  popular  of  Freeport's 
successful  business  men. 

No  one  stands  higher  among  the  older  business  men  and  citizens  of  Free- 
port  than  Mr.  William  Wagner,  the  venerable  editor  and  publisher  of  the  An- 
zeiger.  He  came  to  Freeport  with  his  father  in  1852.  From  1853  he  was 
identified  with  his  father  in  the  publishing  business.  On  the  death  of  his  father, 
Mr.  W.  H.  Wagner  took  up  the  managing  of  the  business  for  which  he  had  ex- 
cellent training.  The  business  prospered  under  his  able  management  and  in  1886 
he  built  the  Anzeiger  Building,  a  large  three-story  brick  structure  at  the  corner 
of  Chicago  and  Galena  Streets,  which  houses  one  of  the  most  complete  and  up- 
to-date  printing  plants  in  the  state.  Several  of  Mr.  Wagner's  sons  have  been 
associated  with  him  in  the  business.  Mr.  Otto  Wagner  withdrew  from  the 
firm  in  1905,  and  began  a  bindery  and  office  supply  business  on  Galena  Street. 
Mr.  A.  F.  Wagner  withdrew  in  1910.  Messrs.  Oscar  and  Frederick  Wagner 
are  now  connected  with  the  business.  Mr.  W.  H.  Wagner  is  a  man  of  wide 
influence  in  Freeport,  and  is  now  president  of  the  Board  of  Education. 

The  dry  goods  establishment  of  William  Walton  Nephews  is  one  of  the 
pioneer  stores  of  the  city,  and  is  justly  renowned  throught  this  section  of  the 
state.  So  excellent  a  line  of  goods  does  it  carry  that  it  is  patronized  extensively 
by  purchasers  from  neighboring  cities,  and  the  Rockfordites,  whose  city  is 
nearly  twice  the  size  of  Freeport,  say  that  no  Rockford  store  carries  the  same 
quality  of  dry  goods. 

The  store  was  established  by  William  Walton  in  1858.  Mr.  Walton  was  a 
native  of  England,  having  been  born  in  County  Dunn,  and  raised  in  Birmingham. 
In  England  he  took  up  the  dry  goods  business  and  was  a  clerk  for  many  years. 
In  1855  he  came  to  the  United  States.  He  was  located  for  a  brief  season  in 
New  York,  then  in  Chicago,  where  he  was  connected  with  the  dry  goods  house 
of  J.  B.  Shay,  and  finally  in  Amboy,  Illinois,  where  he  embarked  in  business  for 
himself.  After  a  short  stay  in  Amboy  he  became  satisfied  that  the  town  was 
not  large' enough  to  support  the  store  he  was  anxious  to  establish,  and  accord- 
ingly he  pulled  up  stakes  and  came  to  Freeport.  Since  his  removal  to  this  city, 


532   ,  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

the  business  has  steadily  prospered.  Mr.  Walton  soon  gained  the  confidence 
of  the  public  and  built  up  a  reputation  for  honesty  and  fair  dealing  which  has 
survived  unblemished  up  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Walton  also  invested  heavily  in  real  estate  in  and  about  the  city  of 
Freeport,  and,  as  his  cares  began  to  grow  numerous  and  arduous,  he  looked 
about  him  for  help.  This  he  found  in  the  persons  of  his  three  nephews,  Wil- 
liam, Joseph  and  Edwin  Hall,  who  came  over  from  England  at  his  request  and 
took  charge  of  his  business.  At  his  death  in  1898  they  assumed  control  under 
the  firm  name  of  William  Walton  Nephews.  William  Hall  took  charge  of  the 
clothing  and  men's  furnishing  department,  while  Edwin  Hall  became  manager 
of  the  dry  goods  department.  Thus  the  business  is  still  conducted. 

At  first  the  store  at  104  Stephenson  Street  was  the  one  occupied.  Later 
the  next  store  building  west  was  rented  and  occupied  for  the  clothing  store,  and 
finally  the  next  store  building  east  was  secured  and  added  to  the  dry  goods 
department.  The  upper  floors  of  the  buildings  are  also  occupied  at  present  by 
the  carpet  and  curtain  departments,  and  the  establishment  as  a  whole  is  one  of 
the  most  progressive  and  up-to-date  of  the  city. 

The  dry  goods  establishment  of  F.  A.  Read,  which  occupies  the  first  and 
second  floors  of  the  Weishar  Block,  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  well  estab- 
lished business  firms  of  the  city.  It  was  established  in  the  spring  of  1877  by 
C.  H.  Seeley,  who  opened  a  small  store  on  upper  Stephenson  Street,  and  thus 
formed  the  nucleus  about  which  the  present  business  has  grown  up.  In  the  fall 
of  the  same  year  F.  A.  Read  became  associated  with  Mr.  Seeley  and  the  firm 
name  became  Seeley  &  Read.  The  place  of  business  was  transferred  and  the 
new  firm  opened  in  the  store  now  occupied  by  Huss  &  Kinley  in  the  Wilcoxin 
Block.  It  was  not  long  before  these  quarters  became  far  too  crowded,  and  a 
new  building  was  erected  for  the  store  by  C.  H.  Rosenstiel,  on  the  opposite  side 
of  Stephenson  Street  from  their  present  location.  These  quarters  were  also 
far  too  small,  and  presently  it  became  imperative  that  a  change  be  made  if  the 
extensive  trade  which  the  founders  had  built  up  was  to  be  retained.  Henry 
Weishar,  seizing  the  opportunity  as  a  good  business  venture,  built  the  Weishar 
Block  especially  for  Seeley  &  Read,  and  fitted  up  the  first  and  second  floors  of 
the  building  with  the  necessary  appurtenances  for  the  stores.  A  large  increase 
in  business  followed  and  the  firm  began  to  handle  a  more  extensive  class  of 
goods.  A  millinery  department  was  added,  and  opened  to  the  public,  with  an 
exceptionally  fine  line  of  goods.  In  time  a  carpet  department  was  also  added. 

In  1893  the  concern  met  with  a  great  disaster.  The  place  was  visited  by 
a  ravaging  fire  which  consumed  the  entire  interior  of  the  Weishar  Block  and 
left  only  the  walls  standing.  The  whole  stock  was  lost,  and  hardly  a  vestige 
of  the  once  elegantly  modelled  store  was  discernible.  The  three  men  most  con- 
cerned in  the  loss  were  not  discouraged,  however,  and  the  building  was  imme- 
diately reconstructed.  Another  fire  has  occurred  since  that  time,  but  with  no 
such  serious  results.  In  February,  1899,  Mr.  Seeley  withdrew  from  the  firm 
to  engage  in  the  mining  business,  and  the  firm  has  since  been  F.  A.  Read  alone. 
The  store  carries  a  line  of  dry  goods,  millinery  and  carpets  which  is  unexcelled 
by  any  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state.  Recently  the  store  front  was  remodelled 
and  new  entrances  built.  It  is  one  of  the  handsomest  stores  in  the  city  at  pres- 


BREWSTEB   HOUSE.  FKEEPORT 


W.  II.  WA<;.\KK   AM)  SONS'  IMS  I NTI  X(J  AND  ITHMSIIINC;  PLANT.    FREEI'ORT 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  533 

ent.     Mr.  Joseph  Johnson,  Mr.  Read's  son-in-law,  is  now  connected  with  the 
business. 

At  the  sign  of  the  only  plated  tower  in  existence  in  the  world,  the  crockery 
establishment  of  C.  H.  Little  &  Co.  has  continued  to  do  a  flourishing  business 
for  over  half  a  century.  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  business  firms  of  the  city,  and1 
has  always  held  an  unequalled  reputation  throughout  the  city  and  surrounding 
country. 

In  1859,  Mr.  Little  established  the  business  which  bears  his  name,  at  71 
Stephenson  street,  across  the  street  from  its  present  location.  Here  it  remained 
for  eight  years,  and  then,  in  1867,  Mr.  Little  moved  across  the  street  to  74  Ste- 
phenson street,  which  place  the  firm  still  occupies.  At  that  time,  he  took  in 
with  as  partners  Mr.  F.  J.  Kunz,  and  Mr.  C.  H.  Becker.  A  new  building  was 
built  for  the  accommodation  of  the  firm,  which,  with  certain  alterations  and 
addition  has  been  in  the  possession  of  C.  H.  Little  &  Co.  ever  since  its  erection. 
Some  time  ago  the  business  had  so  thoroughly  outgrown  its  original  quarters 
that  additional  floor  space  became  an  imperative  necessity.  A  store  in  the  next 
building  was  secured  and  made  a  part  of  the  original  store.  This  arrangement 
has  continued  in  effect  for  a  number  of  years. 

The  original  building  of  the  C.  H.  Little  &  Co.  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the 
city,  and  the  plated  tower  which  scales  its  front  is  one  of  the  most  unique  ad- 
vertisements in  the  world.  All  three  floors  of  the  buildings  are  occupied  by  the 
store,  together  with  the  basement,  which  is  used  as  store  room.  The  line  of 
goods  carried  by  C.  H.  Little  &  Co.  is  not  surpassed  in  nothern  Illinois.  In 
addition  to  the  crockery  department,  a  line  of  beautiful  and  choice  cut  glass  is 
carried.  The  toy  department  is  par  excellence.  As  a  whole,  the  firm  enjoys 
exclusive  patronage  to  a  degree  unknown  by  most  of  the  business  houses  of  the 
city,  and  retains  its  ancient  reputation  as  the  leading  crockery  establishment  of 
Freeport. 

The  Burrell  grocery  business  was  established  by  L.  F.  Burrell  in  1854.  Henry. 
Daniel  and  John  Burrell  came  to  Freeport  from  Pennsylvania  in  1850.  Mr. 
John  Burrell  was  associated  with  Mr.  Emmert  in  the  drug  business  until  — ? — . 
They  are  all  men  distinguished  for  a  high  order  of  business  ability  and  integrity 
and  are  numbered  among  Freeport's  most  substantial  citizens. 

In  his  seventy-ninth  year  Joseph  Emmert  is  yet  one  of  the  active  business  men 
of  Freeport.  He  has  been  in  the  drug  business  since  arriving  in  Freeport  in  1855. 
fifty-five  years.  The  business  was  established  by  John  S.  Emmert  in  1846.  Mr. 
Emmert  has  occupied  the  same  premises  for  the  fifty-five  years.  He  is  one 
of  the  pioneer  druggists  of  northern  Illinois,  and  the  oldest  merchant  in  Free- 
port.  Mr.  Emmert  takes  great  pride  in  the  fact  that  he  has  trained  a  num- 
ber of  boys  in  business  and  they  have  been  remarkably  successful. 

The  B.  P.  Hill  Grain  Company  began  business  in  1882.  The  company  does  a 
big  business  in  grain,  coal,  salt,  coke  and  wood.  Besides  the  elevator  in  Free- 
port  with  a  capacity  of  40,000  bushels,  the  company  has  elevators  at  Evarts, 
Lena,  McConnell,  Baileyville,  Steward,  Red  Oak,  Woosung  and  Haldane.  Mr. 
B.  P.  Hill  is  president  and  treasurer  of  the  company. 

The  H.  A.  Hillner  Company  does  an  extensive  business  in  coal,  wood,  feed 
and  grain.  Besides  a  big  new  elevator  in  Freeport,  Mr.  Hillner  has  elevators 


534  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

at  Ridott,  German  Valley,  Dakota,  Davis,  Waddams  and  Florence.  The  company 
was  organized  in  1903,  but  Mr.  Hillner  had  been  in  the  business  as  an  employe 
of  H.  J.  Porter  since  1884. 

The  Armour  Packing  Company  has  a  branch  office  in  Freeport  that  does  a 
large  business  in  this  section. 

The  Standard  Oil  Co.  maintains  a  large  local  plant.  Besides  supplying  the 
Freeport  trade  the  company  makes  large  shipments  by;  means  of  two  wagons 
and  the  railroads  to  points  in  northwestern  Illinois.  The  company's  local  man- 
ager, Mr.  A.  H.  Stephenson,  has  been  with  the  company  for  18  years  and  is  one 
of  the  most  competent  and  reliable  business  men  of  the  county. 

The  business  of  Kuehner  Brothers  was  established  at  the  present  location  on 
the  site  of  the  Howe  Hotel  by  Darius  Kuehner  in  1857.  He  was  a  successful 
business  man  and  built  the  business  block  in  1869.  The  business  is  carried 
on  by  his  sons,  Fred  and  Robert,  who  are  among  the  county's  most  progressive 
business  men.  The  store  was  remodelled  and  extended  in  1906,  and  is  one  of 
the  finest  and  most  elaborate  furniture  stores  in  Illinois. 

Mr.  Frederick  Dorman  came  to  Freeport  in  1874  and  for  thirty-five  years  was 
identified  with  many  of  Freeport's  large  business  interests.  He  was  president  of 
the  Shoe  Manufacturing  Co. ;  president  of  the  Howe  Gas  Machine  Co. ;  vice  presi- 
dent of  Guyer  &  Calkins;  a  director  in  Woodmansees  Mfg.  Co.,  one  of  the 
principal  stockholders  of  Dorman  &  Co.,  dealers  in  agricultural  implements, 
and  president  of  the  State  Bank. 

Ezrom  Mayer,  the  secretary  of  the  Union  Building  and  Loan  Association,  has 
been  a  resident  of  Freeport  since  1847.  He  entered  Oscar  Taylor's  Bank  in  1855; 
held  a  position  in  the  bank  of  De  Forest  &  Co.  several  years  and  was  the  first 
cashier  of  First  National  Bank.  For  many  years  he  was  in  the  bank  of  Het- 
tinger,  Collman  Brothers  &  Co.  Besides  his  active  management  of  the  Union 
Loan  Company's  business  he  has  many  other  financial  holdings.  At  the  age  of 
73  he  is  an  active  business  man  with  a  wonderfully  cheerful  disposition. 

One  of  the  prominent  attorney's  of  the  early  days  was  A.  T.  Green  who 
came  to  Freeport  in  1839,  walking  from  Rockford.  He  was  a  native  of  New  York. 
He  was  a  postmaster  from  1843  to  1849.  Besides  being  a  prominent  attorney  he 
was  one  of  the  men  who  stood  with  L.  W.  Guiteau  in  the  agitation  for  free 
public  schools.  His  son,  Charles  T.  Green,  was  also  a  lawyer  and  served  in 
the  Civil  war.  His  grandson,  Charles  H.  Green,  is  now  one  of  the  county's  suc- 
cessful attorneys. 

Mr.  J.  M.  Galloway  has  been  in  business  in  Freeport  since  1858.  With  Mr. 
W.  H.  Snooks  he  conducted  a  bottling  works  for  years  in  the  old  "Mansion 
House,"  the  hotel  built  by  Benjamin  Goddard  in  1837.  It  stood  diagonally  across 
the  present  Y.  M.  C.  A.  tennis  courts  on  Walnut  street.  They  now  conduct  the 
business  on  Galena  street. 

C.  O.  Collmann  came  from  Hanover,  Germany,  in  1850.  He  farmed  in. 
Ridott  township  till  1866  when  he  entered  the  mercantile  business  in  Freeport. 
In  1876  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  bank  of  Hettinger,  Collmann  Brothers 
&  Co.,  now  the  German  Bank.  He  was  a  high  official  in  the  German  Insurance 
Company.  At  the  age  of  78  he  is  still  president  of  the  German  Bank. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  535 

Hon.  E.  P.  Barton  was  one  of  the  talented  members  -of  the  Stephenson  County 
bar  after  1855.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Hamilton  College,  New  York,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  Brooklyn  in  1852,  where  he  practiced  law  till  1855.  He 
was  associated  with  the  following  firms ;  Turner,  Burchard  &  Barton ;  Burchard 
&  Barton ;  Burchard,  Barton  &  Barnum  and  Barton  &  Barnum,  leading  law 
firms  of  the  county.  He  was  elected  County  Judge  of  Stephensonl  County,  a 
position  he  filled  with  distinction. 

Henry  Baier,  of  Baier  &  Ohlandorf,  is  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  and  busi- 
ness men  of  Freeport.  He  came  to  this  county  from  Bavaria  in  1843.  His 
business  ability  has  made  him  one  of  Freeport's  wealthy  men,  and  at  the  age  of 
74  he  is  still  a  leader  in  some  of  the  city's  largest  enterprises. 

Mr.  Orlando  B.  Bidwell  was  born  in  Berkshire  County,  Massachusetts,  July 
28,  1829.  He  came  to  Freeport  in  1856,  and  was  one  of  Stephenson  County's 
most  prominent  citizens  till  his  death  January  14,  1909.  In  1861  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  Mr.  L.  Z.  Farwell  in  the  wholesale  notion  business.  He  was  a 
stockholder  and  director  in  the  Freeport  Gas  Light  &  Coke  Co.  and  a  heavy 
stockholder  and  treasurer  of  the  Freeport  Water  Company.  In  religious,  edu- 
cational and  philanthropic  work  Mr.  Bidwell  was  a  leader.  He  was  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  a  Trustee  of  Beloit  College  and 
gave  time  and  money  to  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Mr.  Bidwell  was  President  of  the  First 
National  Bank  from  1870  to  1909. 

For  fifty-five  years  A.  W.  Ford  has  conducted  a  jewelry  store  in  Freeport,  on 
Stephenson  street.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest,  best  known  and  reliable  merchants 
of  the  city.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  and  has  been  a 
leader  in  church  affairs. 

Hon.  John  H.  Adams  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  whosd  character  made 
a  deep  and  lasting  impress  upon  the  history  of  this  county.  Born  in  Pennsylvania 
in  1822  and  educated  in  an  academy  at  Trappe,  Pennsylvania,  he  learned  the 
milling  business  as  an  apprentice  and  came  to  Stephenson  County  in  1844.  He 
located  in  the  north  end  of  Cedarville  and  bought  the  mill.  In  1844  he  planted 
Norway  pine  seeds  on  the  hill  across  the  creek  and  those  pine  trees  may  be  seen 
there  today  as  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  one  of  the  county's  greatest  men. 
He  was  foremost  in  the  campaign  to  secure  the  first  railroad  into  the  county  and 
was  always  a  champion  of  the  church  and  of  free  public  schools.  With  his  money 
and  by  public  addresses  he  encouraged  enlistments  for  the  war  in  1861.  In  1864 
he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Freeport  of  which 
he  was  president.  Aside  from  being  a  business  man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability 
and  political  leader,  he  was  a  man  of  wide  reading,  in  sympathetic  touch  with 
the  great  world  struggles  of  his  time,  a  gentleman  of  profound  sincerity  and 
of  marked  culture.  Such  a  man  was  the  father  of  America's  greatest  woman, 
Jane  Adams  of  Hull  House,  Chicago. 

Judge  Mathew  Marvin  for  almost  forty  years  has  been  a  prominent  figure 
in  Freeport.  Before  coming  here  he  lived  in  Warren  and  Galena.  He  was 
appointed  postmaster  at  Warren  and  later  was  elected  Judge  in  Jo  Daviess  County. 
He  has  twice  served  as  city  attorney  here  and  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace 
since  1895.  His  son,  Mathew  Marvin,  is  one  of  the  prominent  real  estate  and 
insurance  men  of  Freeport. 


536  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

General  Smith  D.  Atkins  was  state's  attorney  for  this  district  at  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Civil  war  in  1861.  He  was  born  June  9,  1835,  in  New  York,  and 
came  to  Stephenson  County  with  his  father's  family  in  1848.  He  lived  on  the 
farm  for  two  years,  and  then  came  to  Freeport  and  entered  the  office  of  the 
Prairie  Democrat.  He  was  educated  in  the  Mount  Morris  College  where  he  was 
foreman  on  the  Mount  Morris  Gazette  while  a  college  student.  In  1853  he 
was  associated  with  the  Savannah  Register.  He  studied  law  in  the  office  of 
Hiram  Bright  in  Freeport  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  began  practice  in  1850, 
after  further  study  of  law  in  Chicago.  In  1860  he  stumped  northern  Illinois 
urging  the  election  of  Lincoln.  At  Lincoln's  first  call  for  troops,  Mr.  Atkins 
was  the  first  man  to  enlist  in  this  county  and  organized  the  first  company  and 
went  to  the  front  as  captain  of  Company  A,  Eleventh  Illinois.  For  gallant 
service  at  Fort  Donelson  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major  in  the  Eleventh 
Illinois.  At  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing  he  won  special  mention  for  bravery 
and  conspicuous  service,  as  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General  on  General 
Hulburt's  staff.  In  the  summer  of  1862  he  recruited  the  Ninety-Second  Illinois 
and  went  to  the  front  as  its  Colonel.  He  commanded  the  First  Brigade,  Granger's 
Corps,  till  July  ist,  1863,  when  the  Ninety-Second  was  attached  to  Wilder's  Bri- 
gade. The  Ninety-Second  was  now  a  calvary  regiment  and  with  it  General 
Atkins  served  in  the  campaign  against  Chattanooga;  entered  Chattanooga  Sep- 
tember pth,  1863,  driving  out  Bragg's  Cavalry  at  10:00  a.  m.  and  at  3:00  p.  m. 
was  on  the  battlefield  of  Chickamauga.  He  served  with  Wilder's  Brigade  till  April 
4,  1864,  when  his  regiment  was  attached  to  Kilpatrick's  Cavalry.  In  Kilpatrick's 
division  he  commanded  the  Second  Brigade,  marched  with  Sherman  to  Savannah, 
Georgia,  where  on  January  12,  1865,  he  was  promoted  Brevet  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral, and  commanded  that  Brigade  of  Cavalry  through  the  Carolinas  to  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  under  fire  in  more  than  100  minor  battles  and  skir- 
mishes, was  twice  wounded,  and  had  one  horse  shot  under  him.  He  was  ap- 
pointed Major  General  of  Volunteers,  March  13,  1865,  for  gallant  and  meri- 
torious service. 

Major  E.  A.  Duncan,  formely  of  Sherman's  Staff,  says  of  General  Smith 
D.  Atkins:  "The  battle  of  Macon,  or  what  is  called  Walnut  Creek,  was  a 
cavalry  engagement,  fought  by  one  of  Kirkpatrick's  Brigades  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  S.  D.  Atkins,  of  the  92d  Illinois  Mounted  Infantry.  This 
gallant  officer  with  his  little  brigade  fought  the  whole  of  Crew's  division,  and 
not  only  fought  them,  but  whipped  them — capturing  nine  pieces  of  artillery.  The 
rout  of  the  enemy  was  complete.  For  gallantry  and  soldierly  bearing  on  this 
occasion,  General  Sherman  recommended  Colonel  Atkins  to  the  Secretary  of 
the  War  for  promotion.  The  promotion  was  made  and  no  setting,  however  rich, 
ever  became  the  jewel  it  contained  more  worthily  than  did  his  broad  shoulders 
become  the  stars  that  gemmed  them." 

In  1865  General  Atkins  was  appointed  postmaster  and  has  served  in  that 
capacity  to  the  present  day  with  the  exception  of  the  eight  years  of  democratic 
rule  by  Grover  Cleveland.  During  most  of  that  time  he  has  been  editor  and 
chief  proprietor  of  the  Freeport  Journal.  In  county,  state  and  national  politics 
he  has  been  a  leader  for  fifty  years.  His  editorials  are  more  widely  quoted  than 
any  other  in  Illinois.  He  is  author  of  the  iHstory  of  the  Ninety-Second  Illi- 


O.  II.  Wright 


William   O.  Wright 


James  Mitchell 


John  H.  Addiiiiis 


PROMINENT  BUSINESS  MEN  OF  FREEPORT 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  537 

nois  Regiment.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Chickamauga  National  Commission. 
He  has  always  been  a  man  of  decided  opinions,  of  unquestioned  integrity  and 
fidelity  in  fifty  years  of  public  service.  He  is  the  most  widely  known  citizen 
of  Stephenson  County,  and  has  enjoyed  the  personal  acquaintance  of  most  of 
the  great  men  of  the  United  States  from  Lincoln  to  Roosevelt — the  only  resi- 
dent of  Stephenson  County  whose  name  is  in  "Who's  who  in  America."  Begin- 
ning as  a  farmer's  boy  he  has  been  successful  as  lawyer,  soldier,  editor,  author,  in 
politics  and  in  business.  At  the  age  of  75  he  is  still  in  active  life,  a  grand  old 
man  whose  happiest  moments  are  in  his  home  with  his  grandchildren  upon  his 
knees. 

Mayor  W.  T.  Rawleigh  is  one  of  the  best  known  city  officials  in  Illinois.    He 
is  giving  Freeport  one  of  the  very  best  business  administrations  it  has  ever  en- 
joyed.    Mr.  Rawleigh  is  a  business  man  of  unusual  ability.     Twenty  years  ago 
he  began  here  without  capital  and  today  conducts  probably  the  largest  business 
in  the  county,  with  large  four  and  six  story  buildings  covering  over  half  a  block 
with  over  three  acres  of  floor  space.    He  employs  over  two  hundred  people  in 
his  plant  and  has  over  one  thousand  two  hundred  retail  wagons  carrying  the  trade 
over  established  routes  in  almost  all  the  states  of  the  Union.    Besides  being  presi- 
dent and  treasurer  of  this  large  business,  Mr.  Rawleigh  is  a  director  in  the 
German  Bank,  mayor  of  Freeport,  proprietor  and  editor  of  the  Freeport  Stand- 
ard.   He  has  been  honored  by  being  elected  president  of  the  Citizens'  Commer- 
cial Association  and  commander  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans.     Because  of  his  suc- 
cessful and  aggressive  leadership,  he  is  in  demand  as  an  official  and  speaker  at 
meetings  of  the  mayors  of  Illinois,  and  is  now  a  candidate  for  the  position  of 
representative  in  the  Illinois  State  Legislature.    No  man  is  readier  than  he  to  aid 
with  time,  influence  and  money  in  building  up  the  city  of  Freeport.     He  is  a 
demon  for  that  work  and  by  being  methodical,  he  is  able  to  deal  successfully 
with  all  his  vast  interests  successfully. 

WHOLESALE    HOUSES. 

Guyer  &  Calkins.  One  of  the  most  important  commercial  firms  of  Freeport 
is  the  wholesale  grocery  establishment  of  Guyer  &  Calkins.  Since  the  establish- 
ment of  the  company  in  1901,  the  business  has  been  steadily  and  appreciably  in- 
creasing, until  at  the  present  time  the  company  has  both  a  reputation  and  a  prof- 
itable trade,  extending  over  a  wide  territory. 

Before  the  founding  of  the  Guyer  &  Calkins  Company,  the  wholesale  grocery 
business  was  for  a  short  time  carried  on  by  Clement  &  Calkins.  The  firm  was 
dissolved  in  1901,  and  the  present  company  formed,  Mr.  Clement  going  into 
the  real  estate  and  land  business. 

The  large  warehouses  of  the  company  are  located  at  23,  25  and  27  Liberty 
street,  near  Galena.  They  are  supplemented  by  three  other  buildings  and  ware- 
houses, which  are  utilized  for  carrying  on  the  business.  The  tracks  of  the  Illi- 
nois Central  and  Chicago  &  Northwestern  Railroads  lead  directly  to  the  factory, 
thus  facilitating  the  loading  and  unloading  of  goods. 

Many  of  the  goods  handled,  especially  the  brands  of  canned  goods,  are  put 
up  under  the  direct  supervision  of  the  house,  and  thereby  attain  a  degree  of  ex- 


588  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

cellence  unapproached  by  most  varieties  of  tinned  goods  on  the  market.  Nine 
traveling  salesmen  are  employed  constantly  by  the  company,  who  cover  a  large 
territory  in  Northern  Illinois  and  Southern  Wisconsin.  The  officers  of  the  com- 
pany are:  President,  H.  L.  Guyer;  vice-president,  Fred  Dorman;  secretary  and 
treasurer,  W.  L.  Calkins. 

Bowler  &  Jones.  The  Bowler  &  Jones  firm  is  of  recent  origin,  but  the  com- 
panies which  preceded  it,  date  back  many  years.  The  business  now  carried  on 
by  Bowler  &  Jones  was  established  in  1852,  by  the  late  J.  B.  Taylor,  who  con- 
ducted it  until  1888.  He  then  sold  out  to  Brigham,  Bowler  &  Co.,  who  remained 
proprietors  for  eleven  years.  In  1899,  this  company  was  succeeded  by  the  pres- 
ent firm,  Bowler  &  Jones,  consisting  of  Colonel  H.  S.  Bowler  and  L.  W.  Jones, 
who  have  since  conducted  the  business. 

The  firm,  which  deals  with  the  wholesale  saddlery  and  leather  goods  busi- 
ness, maintains  offices  and  a  warehouse  in  a  three  story  brick  building  at  41  and 
43  Stephenson  street.  Floor  space  equivalent  to  120x360  feet  is  used,  and  the 
company  manufactures  custom-made  harness,  strap  work  and  collars.  They  are 
also  jobbers  of  saddlery  hardware,  shoe  findings  and  leather.  Bowler  &  Jones 
carry  a  very  large  stock,  and  are  the  largest  saddlery  house  west  of  Chicago.  Two 
traveling  salesmen  are  employed,  who  cover  Iowa,  Wisconsin  and  part  of  Illinois. 

FREEPORT    REAL   ESTATE    BUSINESS. 

The  first  house  in  Freeport  was  built  by  William  Baker  in  1835  on  the  Peca- 
tonica  River.  The  first  undertaking  in  the  town  was  a  real  estate  business.  In 
1835  a  real  estate  company  known  as  Baker,  Kirkpatrick,  Galbraith  &  Com- 
pany was  organized  and  laid  claim  to  a  large  part  of  the  territory  now  occu- 
pied by  the  city.  Early  in  1836  a  town  was  laid  out  by  the  company  in  the 
north  part  of  the  southeast  portion  of  section  31.  The  Indian  half-breeds  had 
been  granted  the  right  to  select  land  in  any  part  of  the  unoccupied  territory 
they  might  choose.  One  of  these,  Mary  Myott,  selected  a  claim  on  section 
31  as  soon  as  it  was  known  that  the  company  had  laid  out  the  town.  Baker, 
Kirkpatrick,  Galbraith  &  Company  then  moved  the  town  stakes  farther  west. 
This  early  real  estate  company  was  enterprising  and  besides  putting  up  several 
buildings  and  selling  lots  in  1836,  secured  in  1837  the  location  of  the  county  seat 
by  donating  the  courthouse  lot  and  giving  a  bonus  of  $6,500.  About  this  time 
a  map  was  gotten  up  boosting  Freeport.  The  map  was  in  colors  and  showed  a 
prosperous  village  along  a  beautiful  river,  the  Pecatonica,  on  which  there  was 
shown  a  large  steamboat.  Unlike  many  of  the  "paper"  towns  laid  out  at  this 
time,  Freeport  made  good,  settlers  came  in  large  numbers  and  various  forms  of 
business  began  in  a  substantial  way.  Although  the  hopes  of  the  promoters  of 
making  a  "port"  of  importance  here  were  never  realized,  yet  in  other  ways  the 
town  prospered. 

This  development  of  the  town  and  city  was  largely  due  to  the  quality  of  the 
settlers.  The  progressive  nature  of  the  men  of  the  older  eastern  states,  was  sup- 
plemented by  the  industry,  economy  and  thrift  of  the  German  element.  Many 
of  the  first  settlers  were  men  of  small  means,  but  were  wise  enough"  to  place 
their  savings  in  real  estate.  These  holdings  became  additions  to  Freeport,  and 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  539 

as  the  town  grew  in  population  and  real  estate  values  rose,  several  family  for- 
tunes were  made. 

One  of  the  first,  if  not  the  first,  was  the  O.  H.  Wright  holdings  in  the  3rd 
ward.  This  was  extended  and  has  since  been  known  as  the  William  O.  Wright 
additions.  John  A.  Clark  laid  out  the  Winneshiek  addition.  Judge  Purinton  was 
owner  of  a  valuable  addition  in  the  third  ward  that  still  bears  his  name.  Probably 
the  largest  holder  of  real  estate  was  Dexter  A.  Knowlton,  Sr.  in  that  part  of  Free- 
port  now  known  as  Knowlton's  first,  second  and  third  additions.  Seven  degrees  to 
the  south  lay  Pattison's  addition,  and  Colonel  T.  J.  Turner  owned  the  addition  on 
what  is  now  Addison  street,  Martin  P.  Sweet's  addition  was  west  of  Turners 
and  was  valuable  property.  North  of  Turner's  was  Ordway's  addition.  Burch- 
ard's  addition  is  on  Lincoln  avenue.  The  early  real  estate  men  did  for  their  day 
what  the  present  real  estate  men  are  doing  for  theirs — they  laid  out  their  prop- 
erty in  town  lots,  made  improvements  and  aided  materially  in  building  up  the 
town. 

Among  the  later  additions  that  have  been  laid  out,  improved  and  partly  built 
up  are  the  following:  The  Arcade  addition  about  the  Arcade  Manufacturing 
plant;  Taylor's  Park  and  Lichtenberger's  addition  in  East  Freeport;  the  Shoe 
Factory  addition,  Zartman's,  Burchard's,  Wise  and  the  Organ  Factory  ad- 
dition in  West  Freeport;  Saxby  Heights  addition  and  — ? — . 

The  city  has  grown  along  the  lines  laid  out  by  these  real  estate  leaders.  The 
various  additions  have  afforded  a  means  of  expansion  for  a  growing  city  and 
in  connection  with  the  excellent  building  and  loan  associations,  has  made  Free- 
port  a  city  of  homes. 

Today,  no  phase  of  the  city's  activity  is  better  prepared  for  that  advancement 
all  look  forward  to  in  the  next  ten  years  than  the  real  estate  holdings.  There 
is  ample  room  for  expansion  south,  west  and  east,  with  an  abundance  of  splendid 
additions,  with  good  drainage  facilities  and  a  beautiful  outlook.  The  rapid  de- 
velopment of  Freeport  industries  is  sure  to  bring  an  increasing  population  and 
the  demand  for  lots  will  find  an  ample  supply.  The  only  thing  lacking,  which 
now  seems  assured,  is  the  extension  of  the  street  railway  system.  With  normal 
financial  and  industrial  conditions  and  the  extension  of  the  street  railway, 
Freeport  should  reach  the  30,000  mark  in  1920.  The  Citizens  Commercial  Asso- 
ciation is  well  organized  and  ably  officered  and  is  already  making  great  strides 
in  this  direction.  The  Building  and  Loan  Associations  are  playing  an  important 
part  in  this  progressive  movement. 

THE  UNION  BUILDING  AND  LOAN  ASSOCIATION. 

The  name  of  this  old  and  established  organization  was  recently  changed  to 
the  Union  Loan  and  Savings  Association.  It  was  incorporated  in  June,  1883, 
and  has  been  doing  a  satisfactory  business  for  27  years.  The  first  officials  were: 
President,  L.  Z.  Farwell;  Vice  President,  J.  W.  Henney;  Treasurer,  C.  O.  Coil- 
man  ;  Secretary,  Urias  M.  Mayer. 

The  authorized  capital  of  the  association  is  five  million  dollars.  The  com- 
pany loans  on  first  mortgage  real  estate  only.  The  object  of  the  association  is  to 
create  and  foster  habits  of  economy,  to  provide  homes  for  each  of  its  members 


540  HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY 

at  the  least  possible  cost  and  invest  their  savings  where  they  are  best  secured 
and  are  most  productive. 

The  present  officials  are :  President,  J.  N.  Galloway ;  Vice  President,  F.  E. 
Schaeffer;  Treasurer,  S.  H.  Webster;  Secretary,  Esrom  Mayer.  The  company 
has  one  of  the  finest  offices  in  the  city  in  the  Frueh  building,  Stephenson  street, 
and  is  doing  a  large  business. 

THE   FREEPORT    BUILDING  AND   LOAN    ASSOCIATION. 

One  of  the  most  substantial  organizations  in  Freeport  is  the  Freeport  Build- 
ing and  Loan  Association.  This  association  has  just  issued  its  sixty-seventh 
quarterly  statement  showing  that  during  the  last  quarter  748  shares  of  install- 
ment stock  were  sold.  The  company  is  in  its  seventeenth  year  and  is  doing  an 
excellent  business  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  its  many  patrons. 

The  association  was  organized  November  i,  1892,  with  the  following  officials : 
President,  A.  Bergman;  Vice  President,  L.  M.  De  Vore;  Treasurer,  D.  C.  Stover; 
Secretary,  Louis  Dickes.  Mr.  Dickes  served  as  secretary  for  thirteen  years. 

The  present  officials  are :  President,  Louis  Dickes ;  Vice  President,  Jacob 
Klein;  Treasurer,  H.  H.  Antrim;  Attorney,  W.  N.  Cronkrite;  Secretary,  C.  F. 
Hildreth.  Mr.  Hildreth  has  been  secretary  for  five  years.  He  is  a  business  man 
of  extraordinary  ability  and  energy,  and  under  his  management  the  company  is 
doing  a  rapidly  increasing  business. 

THE  GERMAN    BUILDING  AND  LOAN    ASSOCIATION   OF  FREEPORT. 

Though  only  two  years  old  the  German  building  and  Loan  Association  of 
Freeport  is  enjoying  a  healthy  growth,  and  promises  to  be  one  of  the  successful 
associations  doing  business  in  Freeport.  The  object  is  the  accumulation  of 
funds  to  be  loaned  among  its  members.  Its  capital  stock  shall  be  one  million 
dollars,  divided  into  shares  of  $100  each. 

The  association  was  organized  and  incorporated  August  4,  1908,  and  began 
business  in  August  that  year.  The  officials  then  elected  still  hold  office  as 
follows :  President,  M.  Hettinger ;  Vice  President,  T.  K.  Best ;  Secretary,  T.  A. 
Secher ;  Treasurer,  L.  R.  Jungkunz ;  Toorney,  Douglas  Pattison. 

THE  GERMAN  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

The  old  German  Insurance  Company  of  Freeport  has  passed  into  the  history 
and  with  its  passing  went  one  of  the  great  business  enterprises  organized  and 
developed  in  the  county  of  Stephenson.  It  alone  gave  Freeport  a  national 
reputation.  It  paid  large  dividends  to  capitalists  who  held  its  stock  and  fur- 
nished an  abundance  of  work  for  the  publishing  houses,  increased  our  postoffice 
business  and  afforded  employment  to  a  large  number  of  citizens. 

Freeport  has  been  a  well  known  insurance  town  for  sixty  years.  The  Ste- 
phenson County  Insurance  Co.  was  organized  in  1853,  the  Farmers'  in  1857. 
Columbia  of  1861  lasted  two  years.  The  Continental  closed  up  after  reinsuring 
in  Chicago.  The  State  and  several  others  were  chartered  but  did  not  open  for 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  541 

business.  The  United  States  ran  from  1865  to  1869.  The  Winneshiek  chartered 
in  1861,  issued  no  less  than  50,000  policies.  Among  its  stockholders  were:  U. 
S.  Grant,  Benjamin  F.  Butler,  Simon  Cameran,  John  A.  Logan  and  others. 
The  law  of  1869  put  it  out  of  business.  The  Protection  Life  had  an  auspicious 
beginning  but  after  two  years  came  to  ruin. 

The  German  was  organized  February  16,  1865,  under  title  as  the  Freeport 
Insurance  Company,  by  A.  H.  Stone,  W.  J.  McKinna,  A.  M.  Lawver  and 
George  P.  Kingsley.  The  franchise  was  purchased  by  D.  Kuehner,  L.  Ashendorf, 
Richard  Meyer  and  William  Wassenberg  in  1866.  July,  1866,  Mathias  Het- 
tinger  was  elected  president;  December,  1867,  Fred  Gund,  Sr.,  was  elected 
secretary,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  years.  The  company  prospered  and 
in  1897  built  the  large  building  at  the  corner  of  Exchange  and  Galena  avenue, 
now  the  Old  Colony  Building.  By  1900  the  German  was  doing  a  nation  wide 
business  and  was  universally  conceded  to  be  one  of  the  soundest  companies 
doing  business  in  America.  Connected  with  the  German  for  years  were  such 
men  as  C.  O.  Collman,  William  Trembor,  Henry  Baier,  D.  S.  Schulte.  For 
the  last  few  years  of  its  existence  Mr.  Fred  Gund  was  secretary.  He  was  rec- 
ognized as  one  of  the  most  competent  insurance  men  in  the  country,  and  the 
German  was  riding  a  high  wave  of  prosperity  when  in  a  day  it  was  shaken  to 
its  foundations  and  forced  into  the  hands  of  a  receiver  by  the  San  Francisco 
earthquake  and  fire.  The  "Insurance  Trust"  that  had  been  fighting  the  German 
aided  in  its  speedy  ruin.  In  spite  of  all  efforts  to  save  the  company,  it  closed 
out  the  Royal  and  went  out  of  business  in  1907. 

Mr.  Fred  Gund,  now  at  the  head  of  the  Williamsburg's  western  department, 
is  building  up  a  large  business  in  the  Old  Colony  building. 

BANKS  OF  FREEPORT. 

FIRST    NATIONAL   BANK. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Freeport  was  organized  on  February  24,  1864, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000.  At  that  time  the  following  officers  were  elected : 
President,  George  F.  DeForest;  cashier,  Esrom  Mayer;  directors,  W.  P.  Mai- 
burn,  L.  L.  Munn,  O.  B.  Bidwell,  C.  J.  Fry,  Esrom  Mayer,  G.  F.  DeForest  and 
L.  F.  Burrell.  A  little  more  than  a  year  later,  on  the  loth  of  March,  1865,  the 
capital  stock  was  increased  to  $100,000,  with  a  surplus  of  $25,000.  The  same 
officers  remained  in  charge  of  the  institution  until  1870.  At  that  time,  O.  B. 
Bidwell  became  president.  He  remained  in  charge  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  January,  1909,  and  has  since  been  succeeded  by  his  son,  Addi- 
son  Bidwell. 

Upon  Mr.  Bidwell's  election  to  the  presidency,  Geo.  F.  DeForest,  the  first 
president,  became  cashier,  and  retained  that  position  until  his  death  in  1883. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Aaron  H.  Barshinger,  who  died  in  1891,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Addison  Bidwell.  Mr.  Bidwell  filled  the  position  until  he  became 
president  last  year,  and  was  succeeded  by  J.  Manly  Clark,  with  John  T.  Hin- 
derks  as  assistant  cashier. 

In  1883,  the  first  charter  of  the  bank,  which  had  been  taken  out  for  twenty 
years,  expired,  and  the  house  was  re-chartered  for  a  like  period,  under  the 


542  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

name  of  the  Freeport  National  Bank,  and  with  the  following  officers :  O.  B. 
Bidwell,  president ;  O.  B.  Sanf ord,  vice  president ;  A.  H.  Barshinger,  cashier ; 
John  Burrell,  O.  B.  Bidwell,  C.  H.  Little,  W.  O.  Wright  and  O.  B.  Sanf  ord, 
directors.  The  capital  and  surplus  then  amounted  to  $166,000,  and  the  affairs 
of  the  bank  were  in  a  most  prosperous  condition.  Four  years  after  the  taking 
out  of  the  second  charter,  by  consent  of  the  comptroller  of  currency,  the  bank 
was  permitted  to  take  its  first  name,  and  again  became  the  First  National  Bank, 
of  Freeport. 

The  First  National  Bank  is  one  of  the  leading,  as  it  is  the  oldest  banking 
house  of  the  city.  The  firm  is  capitalized  at  $150,000.  The  surplus  and  profits 
amount  to  $120,000,  with  an  additional  stockholders'  liability  of  $150,000,  mak- 
ing a  total  responsibility  of  $420,000.  The  officers  are:  President,  Addison 
Bidwell ;  vice  president,  W.  O.  Wright ;  cashier,  J.  Manly  Clark ;  assistant  cash- 
ier, John  T.  Hinderks;  directors,  C.  H.  Little,  W.  O.  Wright,  Boyd  P.  Hill, 
Joseph  Emmert,  John  Burrell,  Addison  Bidwell. 

SECOND    NATIONAL    BANK. 

The  Second  National  Bank  of  Freeport  opened  its  doors  for  business  less 
than  three  months  after  the  First  National  Bank  had  set  out  on  its  career.  The 
former  commenced  business  in  May,  1864,  and  its  rival  institution  had  then  been 
in  existence  since  February  of  the  same  year.  Like  the  First  National  Bank,  it 
was  capitalized  at  $50,000,  and  in  less  than  a  year  it  was  raised,  first  to  $75,000, 
then,  within  a  year,  to  $100,000.  In  1883,  the  original  charter  expired,  and  the 
bank  was  immediately  re-chartered.  On  the  expiration  of  that  charter  in  1903, 
another  charter  was  taken  out. 

John  H.  Addams,  of  Cedarville,  was  the  first  president  of  the  Second  Na- 
tional Bank.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  establishment,  and  retained 
his  office  as  head  of  the  concern  as  'long  as  he  lived.  His  death  occurred  on 
August  17,  1881,  and  A.  H.  Wise  was  immediately  chosen  to  succeed  him.  Mr. 
Wise's  health  was  poor,  and  he  found  the  duties  of  his  position  too  arduous 
for  him.  After  a  brief  season  in  office,  he  resigned,  and  his  place  was  filled 
by  M.  Lawver.  After  a  short  term  of  service,  he  too  resigned,  and  Dr.  F.  W. 
Hance  was  called  upon  to  become  president.  Dr.  Hance  tried  the  experiment 
for  a  short  time,  but  he  very  soon  found  that  his  duties  as  president  of  a  bank 
interefered  seriously  with  his  professional  labors.  As  a  result,  the  office  fell 
vacant  again.  Jacob  Krohn  was  thereupon  persuaded  to  assume  the  office,  and 
he  satisfactorily  filled  it  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1902.  At  that  time, 
M.  V.  B.  Elson  was  the  logical  candidate  for  successor,  and  thus  the  position 
fell  to  him. 

Alexander  Stone  was  the  first  cashier  of  the  Second  National  Bank.  In  a 
single  year  he  retired,  and  was  succeeded  by  L.  W.  Guiteau.  Mr.  Guiteau  re- 
tained the  position  for  a  number  of  years,  and  upon  his  death  in  1880,  J.  Brown 
Taylor  took  the  office.  He  was  followed  by  Horace  Webster.  Upon  his  death, 
D.  F.  Graham,  of  the  German  Bank,  became  a  stockholder  in  the  Second  Na- 
tional, and  assumed  the  duties  of  cashier.  He  still  occupies  the  position. 

A  short  time  ago  the  affairs  of  the  Second  National  were  re-organized. 
Coincident  with  this,  an  improvement  and  rehabilitation  of  the  banking  offices 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  543 

took  place.  The  interior  was  remodelled  and  re-decorated  and  the  old  bank  on 
the  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Van  Buren  streets  was  made  to  look  like  a  new 
institution.  New  furniture  was  installed,  new  offices  and  private  rooms  par- 
titioned off,  and  the  whole  given  an  appearance  of  shiny  newness. 

The  Second  National  is  one  of  the  most  popular  of  Freeport's  banks.  The 
bank  is  now  capitalized  at  $100,000,  with  a  surplus  of  $20,000.  The  officers 
are :  President,  M.  V.  B.  Elson ;  vice  president,  L.  Z.  Farwell ;  cashier,  David  F. 
Graham;  directors,  M.  V.  B.  Elson,  L.  Z.  Farwell,  D.  F.  Graham,  Reuben  Sieg- 
fried, J.  L.  Meyers,  J.  H.  Graham,  E.  A.  Blust,  Geo.  Ennenga. 


GERMAN    BANK. 

The  German  Bank  was  originally  a  private  banking  institution  under  the 
name  of  Hettinger,  Collman  Brothers  and  Company,  and  was  founded  by  five 
of  Freeport's  prominent  German  citizens:  M.  Hettinger;  Sr.,  C.  O.  Collman,  A. 
Collman,  D.  B.  Schulte  and  Fred  Gund.  In  May,  1876,  the  project  was  first 
started,  and  on  the  twentieth  of  that  month  formally  organized  with  a  nominal 
capital  of  $20,000.  The  business  was  conducted  in  a  conservative,  but  success- 
ful mariner,  and  before  long  the  institution  was  prospering  wonderfully. 

Within  a  few  years,  the  bank  was  christened  the  "German  Bank,"  but  the 
firm  remained  Hettinger,  Collman  Brothers  &  Company.  On  the  first  day  of 
January,  1894,  the  German  Bank  was  incorporated  as  a  state  bank  under  the 
laws  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  with  a  capital  of  $150,000  and  the  following 
officers :  President,  C.  O.  Collman ;  vice  president,  M.  Hettinger,  Jr. ;  cashier, 
D.  F.  Graham;  assistant  cashier,  Louis  R.  Jungkunz;  directors,  C.  O.  Collman, 
D.  B.  Schulte,  J.  W.  Henney,  John  Fosha,  John  Sullivan,  M.  Hettinger,  Jr.,  and 
J.  S.  Collman.  On  the  first  of  January,  1895,  M.  Hettinger,  Jr.,  retired  from 
the  business,  and  C.  E.  Meyer  became  director.  A  few  years  ago,  D.  F.  Gra- 
ham, who  had  long  acted  as  cashier,  resigned  to  accept  a  like  position  with  the 
Second  National  Bank.  His  place  was  thereupon  filled  by  Louis  R.  Jungkunz, 
who  had  for  some  time  acted  as  assistant  cashier. 

The  present  officers  are :  President,  C.  O.  Collman ;  vice  president,  John  S. 
Collman ;  cashier,  Louis  R.  Jungkunz ;  directors,  C.  O.  CoHman,  J.  S.  Collman, 
D.  B.  Schulte,  Wm.  Trembor,  W.  N.  Cronkrite,  W.  T.  Rawleigh. 

The  German  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  banking  houses  of  Freeport.  The 
offices  are  located  on  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Stephenson  streets,  where  they 
have  been  for  many  years.  A  short  time  ago  they  were  refurnished  and  re- 
modelled and  now  present  an  attractive  and  modern  appearance.  The  capital 
of  the  German  Bank  is  $150,000,  with  undivided  profits  amounting  to  over 
$100,000. 

STATE  BANK. 

The  State  Bank  is  Freeport's  youngest  banking  house,  and  although  of 
comparatively  recent  organization,  has  attained  a  degree  of  prosperity  and  sub- 
stantial growth,  not  at  all  commensurate  with  the  short  period  of  its  existence. 
The  bank  was,  however,  organized  under  most  auspicious  circumstances,  and 
by  a  circle  of  the  ablest  financiers  that  Freeport  can  name  among  its  citizens.  It 


544  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

has  always  enjoyed  a  reputation  for  security,  and  careful  management,  and  was 
for  a  long  time  presided  over  by  the  late  D.  C.  Stover,  who  was  at  the  head  of 
three  of  the  largest  manufacturing  concerns  of  the  city. 

In  August,  1891,  the  State  Bank,  was  first  chartered  under  the  banking  laws 
of  the  state  of  Illinois,  with  the  following  officers:  D.  C.  Stover,  president;. 
R.  G.  Shumway  and  Henry  Baier,  vice  presidents;  H.  H.  Antrim,  cashier; 
Henry  Dorman,  assistant  cashier;  D.  C.  Stover,  Dr.  W.  S.  Caldwell,  Wm.  H. 
Wagner,  L.  M.  Devore,  Henry  Baier,  Fred  Dorman,  Jacab  Schaetzel,  R.  G. 
Shumway  and  Louis  Fosha,  directors. 

For  many  years  the  list  of  officers  and  board  of  directors  remained  un- 
changed. Then  some  vacancies  were  caused  by  death,  and  today  the  list  stands 
as  follows:  President,  Fred  Dorman;  vice  president,  Henry  Baier;  cashier,  H.  H. 
Antrim;  directors,  A.  S.  Held;  J.  F.  Smith,  F.  W.  Hoefer,  J.  H.  Stealy,  H.  H. 
Antrim,  Fred  Dorman,  W.  H.  Wagner,  Henry  Baier,  Homer  F.  Aspinwall, 
Walter  D.  Mack. 

When  the  State  Bank  was  organized,  the  establishment  was  capitalized  at 
$125,000.  The  present  capital  is  the  same  with  a  surplus  of  $133,000.  The 
bank  does  business  on  the  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Van  Buren  streets  where 
they  have  been  ever  since  the  founding  of  the  firm.  The  State  Bank  is  managed 
by  an  efficient  and  cautious  board  of  directors,  and  enjoys  a  well  earned  repu- 
tation in  the  community. 


KNOWLTON'S  BANK. 

Knowlton's  Bank,  the  present  firm  name  of  which  is  Charles  D.  Knowlton, 
Banker,  is  an  outgrowth  of  two  other  banking  institutions  which  have  also 
borne  the  popular  name  of  "Knowlton's  Bank."  The  first  of  these  was  estab- 
lished in  1869  by  D.  A.  Knowlton,  Sr.,  who  had  amassed  a  large  fortune,  and, 
in  company  with  his  sons,  Dexter,  Charles  and  Homer,  established  the  banking 
business  now  conducted  in  this  city,  and  in  the  neighboring  village  of  Peca- 
tonica,  under  the  name  of  D.  A.  Knowlton  and  Sons. 

Upon  his  death,  the  Freeport  business  was  taken  in  hand  by  Dexter  A.  and 
Charles  D.  Knowlton,  who  conducted  the  affairs  of  the  bank  under  the  firm 
rne  of  Knowlton  Brothers,  until  the  death  of  the  former,  which  occurred  in 
1903.  The  firm  then  became  Charles  D.  Knowlton,  Banker,  which  it  has  since 
remained. 

The  bank  has  always  been  known  as  one  of  the  soundest  and  most  pros- 
perous of  the  city.  All  of  the  gentlemen  connected  with  it  have  been  known 
as  cautious  and  clear-headed  financiers,  who  have  preferred  to  do  a  small,  safe, 
and  honorable  business,  than  a  very  large  one.  They  have  given  their  attention 
principally  to  first  class  investment  securities  and  give  particular  attention  to 
first  mortgage  loans  upon  real  estate.  They  have  themselves  ben  largely  inter- 
ested in  real  estate  within  the  city  of  Freeport.  Homer  W.  Knowlton,  a  brother 
^— ^"there  is  even  an  example  of  failure  among  the  list.  The  life  history  of  some 
i  r  of  C.  D.  Knowlton,  has  long  been  the  cashier  of  the  Pecatonica  Bank.  Ezra 

Morse  is  cashier  of  the  Freeport  Bank. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  545 


NON-EXISTENT   BANKS. 

There  have  been  a  surprisingly  large  number  of  banks  which  have  lived 
for  a  short  time  and  then,  suddenly  and  sometimes  unexpectedly,  passed  away. 
Some  of  them  have  been  merged  in  others,  some  have  been  discontinued,  and 
of  these  banks  has  been  very  interesting,  but  it  is  not  our  purpose  to  discuss 
them  at  any  great  length.  Most  of  them  nourished  for  a  short  time,  and  then 
went  out  of  existence,  leaving  no  impress  or  trace  of  their  work  in  Freeport 
financial  circles. 

The  first  bank  of  Freeport  was  established  twelve  years  before  the  National 
Bank  was  inaugurated.  In  the  summer  of  1851,  when  Freeport  was  scarcely 
the  size  of  Lena  at  the  present  day,  Taylor  and  Bronson  opened  their  bank, 
which  they  called  an  "exchange  office,"  on  Stephenson  street,  near  Chicago  street, 
in  the  store  now  occupied  by  H.  A.  Huenkemeier's  grocery.  One  year  later, 
in  1852,  James  Mitchell,  Freeport's  pioneer  banker,  opened  a  bank  on  the  site 
now  occupied  by  Jungkunz'  drug  store.  Four  years  later,  Everett,  Clark  & 
Co.  began  to  conduct  a  similar  business  on  the  western  portion  of  the  site  now 
occupied  by  the  Hotel  Brewster.  For  a  brief  space,  these  three  institutions 
represented  the  banking  interests  of  the  growing  city.  Then,  in  1856,  De  Forest, 
Hyde  &  Co.'s  banking  office  opened  where  the  Second  National  Bank  is  housed 
today. 

Taylor,  Bronson  &  Co.  had  undergone  certain  changes  in  the  meantime. 
Mr.  Bronson  removed  to  Rockford,  and  A.  W.  Rice  continued  the  partnership 
with  Mr.  Taylor  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Freeport  Bank.  In  October,  1857, 
both  the  Freeport  Bank  and  Everett,  Clark  &  Co.  succumbed  to  the  wave  of 
financial  depression,  known  as  the  panic  of  1857,  which  swept  over  the  whole 
country  with  disastrous  results. 

After  the  banking  circles  of  Freeport  had  somewhat  recovered  from  the 
ill-fated  crash  of  '57,  James  Mitchell  became  associated  with  Alexander  Neely, 
of  Belvidere,  Illinois,  and  later  with  Holden  Putnam,  R.  Richardson,  of  Boston, 
and  A.  Page,  of  Rutland,  Vermont.  For  many  years  they  did  a  prosperous 
business  under  the  firm  name  of  James  Mitchell  and  Company.  Their  institu- 
tion was  known  as  the  Stephenson  County  Bank,  and  was  located  on  the  corner 
of  Stephenson  and  Chicago  streets.  When,  at  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War, 
a  call  was  issued  for  volunteers,  Holden  Putnam  entered  the  service  and  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge.  From  that  time,  Mr.  Mitchell  remained 
sole  owner  of  the  firm  until  January  i,  1874,  when  J.  W.  Neff  became  a  partner. 
The  death  of  Mr.  Mitchell  occurred  in  August  of  the  same  year,  and  his  son, 
W.  H.  Mitchell  took  charge  of  the  family  interests  in  the  bank,  and  became  a 
partner  with  J.  W.  Neff.  The  business  was  continued  under  the  firm  name  of 
James  Mitchell  &  Co.  until  1884,  when,  by  mutual  agreement,  the  partnership 
was  dissolved,  and  the  business  discontinued. 

De  Forest,  Hyde  &  Company  remained  in  business  under  that  firm  name 
only  a  few  weeks.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  Mr.  Hyde  left  the  business,  but 
Mr.  De  Forest  and  the  other  members  of  the  firm  continued  until  1864,  when 
their  interests  merged  into  the  First  National  Bank. 


546  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  Farmers'  and  Merchants'  Bank  was  organized  in  May,  1892,  by  Esrom 
Mayer,  who  had  been  former  cashier  of  the  German  Bank.  At  first  the  offices 
were  located  on  Chicago  street,  but  were  subsequently  removed  to  the  corner 
of  Stephenson  and  Chicago  streets  in  the  rooms  now  occupied  by  the  clothing 
store  of  William  O.  Wright.  The  bank  was  capitalized  at  $100,000,  and  the 
first  officers  elected  were:  Ersom  Mayer,  president;  J.  H.  Snyder,  vice  presi- 
dent; J.  H.  Brockmeier,  cashier.  After  a  very  brief  existence,  lasting  only  a 
few  years,  the  Farmers'  and  Merchants'  Bank  was  discontinued. 

This  completes  the  list  of  Freeport's  banks.  Those  which  are  now  doing 
business  are  placed  on"  the  firmest  sort  of  financial  basis.  The  men  in  charge  are 
possessed  of  both  wealth  and  experience,  and  the  banking  facilities  of  the  city 
are  not  surpassed  by  any  other  city  of  the  same  size  in  the  state. 

STEPHENSON  COUNTY  COURT  AND  BAR  IN  1910. 

Attorney  J.  A.  Crane,  the  Nestor  of  the  Stephenson  county  bar,  holds  the 
unique  position  of  being  in  active  practice  to-day  and  of  having  been  an  attorney 
in  the  time  of  Turner,  Sweet  and  Burchard.  He  has  lived  to  see  an  entire  change 
in  the  men  about  the  court.  In  a  reminiscent  mood  he  spoke  of  the  change  of 
men  and  methods  in  a  life-time  of  over  fifty  years  at  the  bar.  According  to  the 
venerable  attorney,  there  has  been  a  big  change  in  method.  In  the  early  days 
there  were  only  five  or  six  reports ;  now  the  number  runs  into  hundreds.  Long 
lists  of  citations  were  impossible.  Naturally,  the  issue  depended  then,  in  the  ab- 
sence of  citations,  on  the  appeal  of  the  attorney  before  judge  and  jury.  This 
made  the  early  attorneys  great  students  of  men.  In  the  absence  of  tons  of  law 
books,  the  lawyers  studied  human  nature.  In  selecting  juries  and  in  address- 
ing them,  this  knowledge  of  human  nature  was  brought  into  play.  These  con- 
ditions afforded  opportunity  to  men  of  great  natural  ability.  It  was  a  time  when 
individuality  and  intuition  played  a  strong  part.  Instead  of  spending  days  and 
weeks  accumulating  a  mass  of  statistics,  citations  and  authorities,  the  lawyers 
spent  much  less  time  and  spent  it  in  meditation,  in  outlining  an  appeal  to  the  jury. 
As  Mr.  Crane  says,  "Then  we  knew  the  law  and  knew  men ;  now,  we  are  book- 
worms." 

Mr.  Crane  was  bom  in  Southern  Illinois.  He  was  fortunate  in  having  a 
remarkable  teacher,  a  man  who  had  come  into  the  state  as  a  civil  engineer  at 
the  time  when  Illinois  was  building  paper  railroads  all  over  the  state.  When  the 
"bottom  fell  out,"  the  civil  engineer,  having  no  railroads  to  build  and  a  family 
to  support,  began  teaching  school,  and  young  Crane  was  one  of  his  students. 

Mr.  Crane  was  reared  on  a  farm.  On  occasional  trips  to  the  city,  he  had 
observed  the  courts  in  session  and  the  life  of  the  lawyer  appealed  to  him  with  a 
force  that  caused  him  to  abandon  farming.  He  graduated  from  Harvard  Law 
School  and  took  a  post  graduate  course.  His  rise  to  prominence  at  the  bar  in 
Northwestern  Illinois  was  rapid.  He  became  the  most  successful  criminal  lawyer 
of  his  time.  His  clients  considered  themselves  fortunate  in  securing  his  services. 

To-day  Mr.  Crane  has  his  office  in  the  Wilcoxen  block  and  is  actively  en- 
gaged in  his  practice.  He  is  at  his  office  early  in  the  morning,  while  many  pro- 
fessional men  are  yet  in  bed.  He  combines,  more  than  any  other  man,  the  per- 
sonality of  the  early  attorney  with  the  wide  reading  of  the  later  day  lawyer. 


JUDGE  A.  J.  Cr.AKITY 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY  547 

Judge  James  H.  Stearns,  one  of  the  oldest  attorneys  of  Stephenson  county, 
was  born  in  New  Hampshire  in  1841.  In  1862,  he  was  graduated  from  Harvard 
College  and  located  in  Freeport  in  1871.  In  1876  he  entered  the  law  office  of 
Judge  J.  M.  Bailey  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1878,  and  began  practice  as 
a  member  of  the  firm  of  Neff  &  Stearns.  In  1880,  he  was  city  attorney.  From 
1889  to  1894,  he  was  corporation  counsel.  In  1894,  he  was  elected  county  judge. 
As  a  corporation  lawyer  and  legal  adviser,  he  has  no  superior.  Associated  with 
him  at  present  is  Hon.  Oscar  R.  Zipf,  with  offices  in  the  Old  Colony  building, 
formerly  the  German  Insurance  building. 

Judge  Henry  C.  Hyde  was  born  in  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  in  1836,  spent 
his  boyhood  on  a  farm  in  Winnebago  County,  Illinois,  and  was  graduated  from 
Beloit  College  in  1856.  In  1859  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  began  practice 
in  Freeport.  In  1860  he  was  elected  city  attorney,  and  in  1883  county  judge. 
During  his  practice,  Judge  Hyde  was  ranked  as  an  attorney  of  unusual  judg- 
ment and  legal  learning.  One  son,  James  Hyde,  is  a  lawyer  in  Chicago,  and 
another,  Henry  M.  Hyde,  is  editor  of  the  Technical  World  and  <an  author  of  note. 

Michael  Stoskopf  was  born  in  Freeport  in  1846.  He  attended  the  public 
schools,  studied  law  with  Bailey  and  Neff  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1873. 
He  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  and  was  Master  in  Chancery  for  twelve  years. 
He  built  up  an  extensive  practice  and  was  well  known  over  Northern  Illinois. 
He  was  elected  to  the  state  legislature  in  1889  and  in  1895.  During  the  session 
of  1889,  he  was  largely  responsible  for  the  passage  of  the  bill  authorizing  a  tax 
for  library  purposes.  He  opposed  all  measures  inimical  to  the  public  welfare 
and  won  a  reputation  for  unflinching  integrity  and  fidelity  to  a  public  trust.  He 
is  a  Mason,  33d  degree  of  the  A.  A.  S.  R.,  a  distinction  accorded  to  only  a  few  in 
each  state.  He  is  highly  respected  as  a  citizen  and  as  an  attorney. 

W.  N.  Cronkrite  was  born  in  1863.  He  was  graduated  from  Knox  College 
with  honors  in  1881.  For  three  years  he  read  law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  J.  S. 
Cochran,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1884.  From  1884  to  1886,  he  was  bill 
clerk  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  being  appointed  by  Hon.  E.  S.  Haines. 

In  1886,  he  was  appointed  deputy  county  clerk,  which  position  he  held  for 
eight  years.  In  1894,  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  1895,  he  was 
corporation  counsel.  He  has  acquired  a  wonderful  mastery  of  precedents  and 
authorities  in  common  law  and  as  an  advocate,  his  ability  before  court  and  jury 
is  highly  respected  by  opponents.  His  career  of  sterling  integrity  and  his 
mastery  of  law  have  won  him  a  vast  patronage  and  the  confidence  of  the  public. 

Judge  Oscar  E.  Heard  was  born  in  Harlem  township  in  1856.  He  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Freeport  High  School  in  1874,  completed  his  education  in  North- 
western University  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1878,  after  studying  in  the 
law  office  of  Hon.  James  S.  Cochran.  In  1884,  he  was  elected  state's  attorney 
and  held  that  position  for  sixteen  years.  Although  a  young  man,  he  was  remark- 
ably successful  as  state's  attorney,  fighting  many  great  battles  and  contending 
successfully  against  the  best  legal  talent  of  Northen  Illinois. 

In  1903,  he  was  elected  judge  of  the  Circuit  Court,  and  in  this  position  has 
won  a  reputation  for  fair  dealing  and  a  thorough  understanding  of  the  law.  He 


548  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

has  been  called  to  sit  on  the  bench  in  Chicago  during  crowded  terms  of  the  courts 
of  the  great  city  and  has  acquitted  himself  admirably. 

In  1909  Judge  Heard  was  re-elected  for  six  years. 

The  circuit  includes  Stephenson,  Jo  Daviess,  Carroll,  Lee  and  Ogle  counties. 
With  Judge  Heard  are  associated  Judge  James  B.  Baum,  of  the  Appellate  Court, 
and  Judge  Richard  S.  Farrand,  of  the  Circuit  Court. 

The  settlement  of  the  estate  of  the  German  Insurance  Company,  by  Judge 
Heard,  was  the  biggest  judicial  work  ever  undertaken  in  the  county.  The  ex- 
pedition with  which  Judge  Heard  handled  this  case  broke  all  records  for  closing 
up  large  estates  and  won  from  the  receiver,  Mr.  Niblack,  vice-president  of  the 
Chicago  Title  and  Trust  Company,  the  highest  commendation. 
•  Judge  Heard  has  served  on  the  Board  of  Education,  the  Library  Board  and 
is  a  33d  degree  Mason. 

Hon.  Douglas  Pattison  was  born  in  Freeport  in  1870.  In  1889  he  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Freeport  High  School  and  after  spending  a  year  or  so  in  Mr. 
Stoskopf's  law  office,  entered  the  University  of  Michigan,  completing  both  Lib- 
eral Arts  and  Law  Courses.  He  began  the  practice  of  law  immediately.  In  1892, 
he  stumped  the  county  and  was  appointed  deputy  circuit  clerk.  He  soon  won 
great  popularity  in  the  Democratic  party  and  was  nominated  and  elected  to  the 
legislature  in  1904.  In  the  legislature  he  soon  won  a  strong  following  in  the 
minority  party  and  was  honored  by  being  selected  minority  leader.  In  1908,  he 
was  a  candidate  for  the  nomination  for  governor  on  the  Democratic  ticket. 

The  present  state's  attorney  is  Hon.  Louis  Hood  Burrell,  whose  education 
was  received  in  the  Freeport  High  School,  Beloit  Preparatory  School,  and  with 
the  class  of  '"93"  at  Yale.  He  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Oscar  E.  Heard,  then 
state's  attorney,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  November  4,  1897.  Mr.  Burrell 
served  nine  months  in  the  Spanish-American  war.  In  1900,  he  was  elected  state's 
attorney  and  soon  became  a  popular  and  trusted  official  and  was  re-elected  in  1904 
and  1908  by  large  majorities.  Mr.  Burrell  is  an  orator  of  unusual  ability,  is  much 
sought  as  a  public  speaker  and  has  won  remarkable  success  as  a  lawyer,  being 
strong  before  a  jury  because  of  his  direct  and  straightforward  method  of  hand- 
ling cases.  While  making  an  exceptional  record  as  state's  attorney,  probably 
his  greatest  success  and  that  which  meant  much  to  the  county,  was  his  investiga- 
tion and  prosecution  of  the  bridge  graft  cases. 

Mr.  Burrell  is  a  member  of  the  State  Bar  Association,  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic and  I.  O.  O.  F.  orders  and  is  commander-in-chief  of  Freeport  Consistory. 

County  Judge  A.  J.  Clarity,  who  is  finishing  his  second  term,  is  a  lawyer  and 
jurist  of  marked  ability.  He  has  the  confidence  of  all  parties  and  all  classes  of 
people.  One  of  his  greatest  services  to  the  people  and  one  in  which  probably 
he  takes  the  greatest  pride,  is  the  Juvenile  Court  work.  In  dealing  with  de- 
linquent children,  Judge  Clarity  has  always  shown  a  rare  combination  of  sym- 
pathy and  judgment.  In  this  work  he  has  co-operated  with  the  Juvenile  Court 
League  and  with  the  schools.  Besides  court  cases,  the  judge  deals  with  many 
delinquents  individually.  Many  of  these  report  to  him  once  a  week  and  he  has 
secured  good  positions  for  a  number  of  boys.  So  successful  has  been  this  work, 
that  Judge  Clarity  .has  been  called  the  "Ben  Lindsay"  of  Freeport. 


John  A.  Clark 


Josei>li  M.  Bailey  Edward  P.  Barton 

PROMINENT  ATTORNEYS  OF  FUKKPORT 


UB8ARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  549 

INSTITUTIONS  OF  FREEPORT. 

THE    Y.   M.   C.  A.;     THE    PUBLIC     LIBRARY;     THE    SETTLEMENT     HOME;     HOSPITALS; 

THE   CEMETERY. 

Y.    M.   C.   A 

The  history  of  the  local  branch  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
is  in  reality  the  history  of  three  distinct  organizations.  No  less  than  three  serious 
attempts,  inaugurated  and  fostered  by  different  individuals,  were  made  to  found 
a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  before  success  was  finally  attained.  As  early  as  1868  an  associa- 
tion was  organized,  but  it  lasted  only  four  unsatisfactory  years.  Again  in  1876 
another  movement  was  begun,  and  a  society  formed  which  lasted  for  five  years. 
In  1882  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  was  again  reorganized  and  the  present  strong  and  effi- 
cient association  dates  from  that  time. 

The  first  association  was  the  outcome  of  a  convention  of  Stephenson  County 
Sunday  schools  which  met  in  Freeport  in  1868  to  discuss  plans  for  the  founda- 
tion of  an  organization  for  the  young  men  of  the  city.  The  famous  evangelist, 
D.  L.  Moody,  was  present  at  this  memorable  meeting,  and  the  action  taken  by 
the  convention  was  in  the  main  adopted  at  his  suggestion.  He  proposed'  that  a 
young  man's  society  be  formed  with  the  avowed  object  of  "extending  a  home,  en- 
tertainment, education,  and  Christian  fellowship  to  every  young  man  in  the  city, 
regardless  of  race,  color,  or  pecuniary  circumstances."  The  work  was  at  once 
taken  up  with  great  enthusiasm,  and  it  seemed  that  the  organization  would 
prosper. 

At  first  a  suite  of  rooms  over  the  room  then  occupied  by  Maynard's  Dry 
Goods  Store  was  secured,  and  the  work  was  immediately  begun,  for  the  most 
part  along  religious  lines.  The  first  president  of  the  local  society  was  R.  B. 
Currier,  and  for  a  time  no  local  secretary  was  employed.  In  the  winter  of  1869 
a  secretary  was  secured,  in  the  person  of  a  city  missionary,  who  pointed  his 
labors  altogether  in  the  direction  of  religious  betterment. 

Perhaps  due  to  the  lack  of  a  general  secretary,  perhaps  because  of  the  lack 
of  a  definite  aim  or  system,  the  first  Y.  M.  C.  A.  never  flourished.  The  original 
organizers  were  enthusiastic  and  energetic  enough,  but  they  were  inexperienced 
and  could  neither  effect  the  thoroughness  nor  completeness  of  organization  that 
later  endeavors  succeeded  in  accomplishing.  The  association  was  not  very  well 
supported  by  the  townspeople,  and  the  ardor  of  the  founders  began  to  cool. 
After  leading  a  precarious  and  shaky  existence  for  four  years,  the  machinery 
collapsed  and  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Freeport  became  a  mat- 
ter of  history. 

No  sooner  had  the  association  ceased  to  exist  than  a  crying  need  for  it  began 
to  be  felt.  In  less  than  two  years  after  the  first  failure,  in  1876,  to  be  exact,  a 
second  association  was  formed  and  the  name  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  again  resusci- 
tated. The  organizers  on  this  occasion  were  largely  the  influential  German 
citizens  of  Freeport,  and  C.  R.  Bickenbach  was  by  them  elected  president.  New 
club  rooms  were  rented  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Van  Buren 
streets  over  the  rooms  now  occupied  by  the  State  Bank.  Here  again  the  asso- 


550  HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY 

ciation  pursued  a  somewhat  uncertain  career,  although  in  the  main  more  suc- 
cessful than  the  first  society.  But  it  also  was  doomed  to  failure.  In  January, 
1881,  occurred  a  disastrous  fire  which  totally  destroyed  the  contents  of  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  rooms,  including  their  furniture  and  valuable  documents.  Under  the  cir- 
cumstances it  was  thought  impossible  to  continue  and  so  the  second  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
passed  out  of  existence  after  only  five  years  of  history. 

In  the  next  year,  1882,  the  citizens  began  to  reflect  on  what  had  occurred, 
and  a  third  attempt  was  decided  upon.  On  the  2Qth  of  May  of  that  year  a  small 
but  enthusiastic  circle  of  workers  met  in  the  parlors  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
church  and  effected  a  reorganization.  So  thoroughly  was  their  work  accom- 
plished, and  so  satisfactorily  did  the  events  which  followed  tend  to  build  up  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  that  it  has  since  that  time  continued  to  live  without  ever  a  thought 
of  abandonment. 

About  fifty  men  were  instrumental  in  the  organization  of  the  present  society, 
each  of  whom  signed  the  approved  constitution  and  paid  the  membership  fee  of 
$1.00.  They  elected  as  officers:  President,  Professor  C.  C.  Snyder;  vice-presi- 
dent, I.  F.  Kleckner ;  second  vice-president,  C.  R.  Bickenbach ;  corresponding 
secretary,  E.  B.  Winger ;  recording  secretary,  W.  A.  Merifield ;  treasurer,  A.  H. 
Barshinger;  directors  at  large,  Jacob  Williams,  E.  B.  Winger,  and  F.  A.  Jayne. 

The  new  officers  showed  that  they  had  the  situation  in  their  grasp  and  knew 
what  was  needed  when  they  made  it  one  of  their  first  acts  to  engage  a  local  gen- 
eral secretary.  The  first  man  to  fill  this  position  was  F.  G.  Perkins,  who  stayed 
a  little  less  than  a  year  and  resigned  in  1883  to  be  succeeded  by  W.  W.  Smith. 

During  the  seven  years  of  Mr.  Smith's  residence  the  association  was  wonder- 
fully increased  in  numbers  and  activity.  It  was  Mr.  Smith  who  first  effected  a 
broadening  of  the  society's  work  and  introduced  the  department  of  physical  ed- 
ucation. The  original  purpose  had  been  supposedly  fourfold :  "To  extend  a  home, 
entertainment,  education  and  Christian  fellowship"  to  the  young  men  of  the 
city.  But  the  first  three  aims  had  been  entirely  neglected.  Mr.  Smith  now  pro- 
posed to  revive  them,  and  to  this  end  he  succeeded  in  raising  enough  money  to 
remodel  the  rooms  and  add  a  gymnasium.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  man  of  pleasing 
personality  and  great  enthusiasm,  and  made  a  very  large  number  of  friends 
during  his  stay  in  Freeport.  In  November,  1889,  he  left  to  go  to  another  as- 
sociation, and  was  followed  by  three  temporary  secretaries :  C.  R.  Bradley,  J.  A. 
Schaad  and  W.  L.  Cahoon.  A  permanent  local  secretary  was  then  secured  in 
the  person  of  J.  P.  Bailey,  who  came  to  the  local  society  in  June,  1891. 

During  Mr.  Smith's  stay  the  new  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building  was  built — a  great 
credit  not  only  to  the  association  itself  and  the  men  connected  with  it,  but  to 
the  city  at  large  and  especially  the  membership  of  the  churches  who  contributed 
so  liberally  toward  the  erection.  After  the  reorganization  in  1882  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
had  occupied  rooms  over  Emmert  and  Burrell's  (now  Emmert's)  drug  store, 
where  it  remained  until  the  completion  of  its  own  building.  Several  individ- 
uals had  at  various  times  suggested  the  purchase  or  erection  of  a  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
building,  but  none  had  been  seriously  considered.  The  first  moment  of  serious 
consideration  came  in  April,  1885,  when  E.  E.  Brown,  at  that  time  assistant 
state  secretary,  presented  the  local  officers  with  a  ten  dollar  bill  which  he  said 
was  to  be  the  foundation  of  the  building  fund.  Even  then  it  took  two  years  for 


p 

a 

a 

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a 


LiURARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  551 

a  final  determination  to  be  made,  although  the  ladies'  auxiliary  worked  faithfully 
in  the  meantime  and  succeeded  in  raising  nearly  $1,000.  At  that  time  the  city 
council  voted  to  furnish  the  stone  for  the  basement  and  first  story  of  the  build- 
ing in  case  it  should  furnish  quarters  for  the  city  library.  The  German  Insur- 
ance Company  also  presented  the  sum  of  $1,000.  The  lot  on  the  corner  of 
Walnut  and  Stephenson  streets,  which  had  been  occupied  many  years  before 
by  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  before  it  moved  to  its  present  site,  was  pur- 
chased from  Isaac  Zartman,  and  on  October  19,  1888,  the  cornerstone  was  laid. 
During  the  following  year  the  building  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  $26,000  and 
opened  on  October  6,  1889,  by  a  meeting  conducted  by  the  evangelist  E.  W. 
Bliss,  preparatory  to  a  series  of  revival  services  conducted  by  D.  L.  Moody,  who 
had  at  that  time  returned  to  the  city.  The  cost  of  .the  building  had  been  much 
more  than  the  builders  had  contemplated  and  for  several  years  after  the  com- 
pletion it  was  burdened  by  a  heavy  debt.  Then,  through  the  services  of  the 
Ministers'  Association,  principally  due  to  the  efforts  of  the  Rev.  Edgar  P.  Hill, 
a  sufficient  sum  was  secured  to  cover  the  entire  indebtedness. 

A  month  after  the  completion  of  the  structure,  Secretary  Smith  left  the  city, 
and  no  permanent  secretary  filled  his  place  until  the  coming  of  J.  P.  Bailey  in 
1891.  Mr.  Bailey  was  succeeded  by  J.  P.  Burdge,  who  stayed  until  1896,  then 
resigned  and  was  followed  by  H.  L.  Sawyer.  When  Mr.  Sawyer  accepted  a 
call  elsewhere,  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Keagle,  formerly  pastor  of  Trinity  Church,  and 
now  located  at  Cedarville,  accepted  the  position  of  secretary.  He  was  an  able 
and  energetic  worker  and  under  his  direction  a  great  deal  of  good  was  accom- 
plished. 

In  1900  Mr.  Keagle  was  succeeded  by  J.  E.  Heilman,  under  whose  direction 
the  association  remained  until  1904.  In  that  year  J.  L.  Rogers  came  to  take 
charge.  He  remained  only  a  short  time.  During  his  .stay  the  building  was 
somewhat  remodelled,  and  a  swimming  pool  was  added.  He  was  succeeded  by 
R.  C.  Smedley,  who  departed  last  year  to  be  followed  for  a  short  term  by  Will 
Anderson  and  then  by  A.  L.  Mayer,  who  is  at  present  acting  as  general  secre- 
tary. A.  R.  Buffin  has  for  some  years  officiated  as  boys'  secretary,  and  C.  E. 
Smith  is  at  present  physical  director  of  the  institution. 

A  number  of  changes  have  been  made  in  the  building  since  it  was  built. 
The  structure  is  three  stories  in  height,  the  basement  and  first  story  being  built 
of  native  white  limestone,  and  the  upper  stories  of  red  brick  with  white  stone 
trimmings.  The  basement  originally  contained  dressing  rooms  and  a  gymnasium 
together  with  the  public  library  rooms,  the  first  floor,  the  auditorium,  general 
offices  and  reading  and  association  rooms.  Since  the  moving  of  the  public 
library,  a  swimming  pool  has  been  installed  in  the  basement  and  the  gymnasium 
moved  to  the  first  floor  in  the  space  formerly  occupied  by  the  auditorium. 

The  association  is  in  a  flourishing  condition  at  the  present  time  and  has  a 
large  membership.  The  building  is  one  of  the  ornaments  of  Freeport,  and  is 
now  entirely  free  from  debt.  The  whole  property  is  valued  at  about  $40,000. 

Y.  M.  C.  A. 

The  annual  reports  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  give  some  idea 
of  the  extensive  part  played  by  this  organization  in  the  life  of  Freeport. 


552  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

The  report,  April  30,  1910,  follows: 

Men      Boys       Total 

Number  of  paid-up  bona-fide  members 236         180  416 

Number    of    different    paid-up    or    bona-fide 

members,  entire  year  260         185  545 

Active    members     (members    of    Evangelical 

churches)     168          40  208 

Members  engaged  in  industrial  occupations. .   70          25  95 

Average  daily  attendance  at  rooms  or  building.  163          75  238 

Number  of  socials,  dinners,  teas,  banquets.         5  8  13 

Total  attendance  at  above  social  events 600        490         1,090 

Paid  entertainments  3 

Dormitory  rooms   7 

Dormitory  capacity    12 

Dormitory   occupants 12 

Directed  to  rooms  outside  building 10 

Number  of  boy  members  in  High  School  57 

Number  of  boy  members  in  Grammar   School    102 

Number  of  boy  members  at  work 21 

THE   PHYSICAL   DEPARTMENT. 

Men  Boys  Total 
Number  of  different  members  using  physical 

department    127  177  304 

Number  enrolled  in  class  work 127  177  304 

Number  of  sessions  held 255  284  539 

Total  attendance  all  gynasium  classes 3.671  5,208  8,879 

Total  attendance  of  all  physical  privileges.  14,173  12,160  26,279 

Work  for  different  groups:  Young  men,  59;  business  men,  23;  high  school 
boys,  52;  basket  ball  teams,  17;  volley  ball  teams,  4. 
The  Hiker's  Club  took  seven  hikes. 

BOYS'   SUMMER   CAMP. 

Mr.  A.  R.  Buffin  conducted  fifty-six  boys  in  a  ten  day  camp  on  Rock  River, 
near  Beloit.  These  camps  have  been  remarkably  successful  and  have  been  main- 
tained by  Mr.  Buffin  several  years  without  accident  or  anything  to  mar  the 
pleasure  and  benefit  of  the  outing. 

The  physical  department  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  has  been  remarkably  fortunate 
in  recent  years  in  having  at  its  head  such  men  as  Leroy  Rogers  and  Frank 
Rogers  and  the  present  very  efficient  director,  Mr.  Chas.  E.  Smith. 

EDUCATIONAL    DEPARTMENT. 

The  reading  room  contains  forty-five  magazines  for  men  and  five  for  boys 
and  the  Chicago,  St.  Louis  and  the  Freeport  newspapers.  At  intervals  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  has  attempted  night  school  work  but  has  never  met  with  very  grati- 
fying success.  The  reading  rooms  are  well  occupied  and  the  library  of  the 
boys'  department  is  put  to  good  use. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  553 

RELIGIOUS  WORK. 

Mr.  Chester  Hoefer  is  chairman  of  the  religious  work  committee.  During 
the  year  1909-10,  thirty  men  were  enrolled  in  Bible  study  classes,  and  eighty- 
seven  boys,  making  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  seventeen.  Fifteen  of  the  boys 
are  high  school  students.  The  total  number  of  religious  meetings  for  the  year 
was  one  hundred  and  four.  The  average  attendance  of  the  boys'  meeting  was 
sixty-five;  the  men  twenty-five.  Ten  meetings  for  men  and  one  for  boys  were 
held  outside  of  the  building. 

Y.   M.   C.  A.   PROPERTY. 

The  association  owns  the  building,  the  value  of  which  is  $40,000.  The  lot 
is  valued  at  $10,000;  the  general  furniture,  $500;  dormitory  equipment,  $300; 
gymnasium  equipment,  $400.  The  association  pays  tax  on  rooms  rented  for 
business  and  carries  $16,000  insurance. 

BOYS'    DEPARTMENT. 

The  boys'  department  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  probably  makes  the  best  showing 
of  any  of  the  departments,  the  membership  being  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
seven,  with  an  average  attendance  at  the  Sunday  afternoon  meetings  of  sixty- 
five.  This  department  is  under  the  management  of  Mr.  A.  R.  Buffin,  to  whom 
is  due  the  credit  for  building  up  the  department. 

His  life  among  the  boys  in  Freeport,  in  and  out  of  the  association,  is  an  ex- 
ample of  the  highest  type;  the  unselfish  and  noble-minded  spirit.  It  goes  with- 
out saying,  that  he  exerts  more  influence  of  a  permanent  character  for  good 
among  the  boys  and  young  men  than  any  other  influences  combined. 

The  new  secretary  has  just  begun  his  work,  but  he  has  made  a  good  impres- 
sion and  the  future  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  looks  brighter  than  at  any  time  in  its 
history.  It  has  back  of  it  the  encouragement  of  the  best  business  men  of  the 
city. 

LADIES'  AUXILIARY  Y.  M.  c.  A. 

Of  the  small  handful  of  earnest  workers  who  banded  together  to  form  the 
Ladies'  Auxiliary  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  in  1882,  not  one  is  today  alive.  The  work 
which  they  did  has  lasted,  however,  and  the  organization  is  now  in  a  prosperous 
and  healthy  condition.  All  the  early  records  of  the  auxiliary  have  been  either 
lost  or  destroyed,  and  to  find  anything  concerning  the  conditions  under  which 
it  was  formed,  or  the  early  activities  has  been  not  only  a  difficult  but  a  fruit- 
less task. 

The  aim  of  the  Ladies'  Auxiliary  has  always  been  to  cooperate  with  the  of- 
ficers of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and  aid,  in  whatever  ways 
have  been  possible,  in  making  their  work  easier,  better  directed,  or  more  pro- 
ductive. They  have,  for  instance,  taken  up  themselves  the  labor  of  caring  for 
the  dormitories  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building,  and  have  shouldered  the  care  of 
the  various  banquets  which  are  given  by  the  association. 

At  various  times  when  the  association  has  been  hard  pressed  for  funds, 
the  Ladies'  Auxiliary  has  been  very  active  in  raising  money.  At  the  dedication 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building,  which  was  presided  over  by  the  famous  Evangelist 


554  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Moody,  a  very  dramatic  scene  is  said  to  have  occurred.  One  of  the  members 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  who  had  been  very  active  in  the  work,  announced  to  the  au- 
dience the  fact  that  the  treasury  was  bare,  and  the  building  was  still  oppressed 
with  a  heavy  debt.  He  called  for  voluntary  subscriptions,  but  there  was  only 
a  feeble  and  half-hearted  response.  Again  and  again  he  called,  but  there  was 
apparently  no  enthusiasm.  Finally,  disheartened  by  the  lack  of  willingness  and 
generosity,  he  burst  into  tears,  to  the  immediate  and  general  consternation  of 
the  audience.  In  an  instant  one  of  the  members  of  the  Ladies'  Auxiliary  was 
on  her  feet.  "We  will  help  you,"  she  cried,  "the  ladies  will  help  you!"  Her 
enthusiasm  was  infectious,  and  the  rest  of  the  society  immediately  caught  some- 
thing of  her  energy  and  earnestness.  Then  and  there  they  subscribed  a  large 
sum  of  money,  which  they  duly  paid.  At  various  times  since  they  have  aided 
the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  by  subscribing  sums  of  money. 

When  "Billy"  Sunday  held  his  famous  revival  meetings  in  Freeport  in  1906, 
he  was  instrumental  in  starting  an  agitation  to  pay  off  the  entire  indebtedness 
of  the  association.  About  eleven  thousand  dollars  was  raised,  of  which  the 
Ladies'  Auxiliary  promised  to  pay  one  thousand.  This  voluntary  subscription 
has  now  been  entirely  paid,  a  fact  which  gives  some  idea  of  the  energy  and 
enthusiasm  of  that  body,  in  spite  of  the  fewness  of  its  numbers. 

From  a  mere  handful,  the  membership  of  the  Ladies'  Auxiliary  has  swelled 
to  thirty-five  active  members  in  good  standing.  The  officers  for  the  present  year 
are:  President,  Mrs.  Dexter  A.  Knowlton;  vice  president,  Mrs.  Z.  T.  F.  Runner; 
secretary,  Miss  Harriet  Carnefix ;  treasurer,  Miss  Mary  Swanzey. 

FREEPORT  PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 

The  early  history  of  the  Freeport  public  library  is  of  extreme  interest.  The 
institution  now  known  as  the  Freeport  public  library  had  its  origin  in  the 
"Young  Men's  Library  Association,"  the  origin  of  which  was  due  to  a  religious 
revival  held  in  the  city  of  Freeport  during  the  winter  of  1874-75.  The  original 
members  of  the  association  were  the  members  of  a  Sunday  school  class  in  the 
First  Presbyterian  church,  the  teacher  of  which  was  Miss  Winnie  L.  Taylor. 
The  names  of  the  members  were: 

George  M.  Sheetz,  Jacob  Stine,  D.  W.  C.  Miller,  H.  A.  Swanzey,  W.  A. 
Stine,  E.  H.  Becker,  Albert  Chamberlain,  C.  C.  Wolf,  George  W.  Brown,  W. 
H.  Diffenbaugh,  R.  J.  Hazlett. 

As  these  young  men  complained  that  they  had  no  place  to  spend  their  even- 
ings, Miss  Taylor  conceived  the  idea  of  starting  a  reading  room  where  they 
should  have  an  opportunity  of  meeting  evenings,  and  passing  the  time  pleasantly 
and  profitably.  Each  of  the  members  of  the  class  subscribed  $10,  and  several 
lectures  and  benefit  entertainments  were  held  for  the  benefit  of  the  new  library. 
Rev.  Robert  Collyer  delivered  his  lecture  on  "Clear  Grit."  Hon.  W.  B.  Fair- 
field,  and  Rev.  E.  E.  Hall  gave  readings  for  the  benefit  of  the  venture,  and  $73 
in  voluntary  contributions  from  public  spirited  citizens  of  Freeport  was  secured. 

The  first  contribution  of  which  there  is  any  record  was  that  of  Mrs.  John  R. 
Walsh,  of  Chicago,  who  gave  $50.  Mrs.  Walsh  was  a  friend  of  the  Taylors  of 
Freeport,  and  while  visiting  at  their  home,  Miss  Winnie  Taylor,  the  originator  of 


CARXEOIE  PUBLIC  LIBHAUY 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  555 

the  library  project,  succeeding  in  interesting  her  in  the  enterprise.  The  first 
contribution  of  a  Freeport  citizen  was  that  of  Pells  Manny,  who  gave,  entirely 
unsolicited,  the  sum  of  $500.  In  all  a  total  of  about  $700  was  realized,  which 
was  invested  in  substantially  bound  copies  of  the  standard  authors. 

Rooms  were  secured  for  the  Young  Men's  Library  Association  in  Fry's 
block,  which  were  fitted  up  in  the  nature  of  club  rooms,  and  for  a  while  patron^ 
ized  only  by  the  young  men  who  had  started  the  library.  Presently  the  gen- 
eral public  became  so  interested  that  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  open  the  li- 
brary one  afternoon  each  week  to  the  public  at  large.  Saturday  afternoons 
were  ever  after  reserved  for  outsiders,  and  the  library  was  presided  over  by 
Miss  Winnie  Taylor,  as  librarian.  The  association  occupied  different  rooms. 
Besides  the  one  above  mentioned,  which  was  in  Fry's  block,  rooms  were  fitted 
up  in  McNamara's  building,  on  Stephenson  street,  and  for  one  year,  the  asso- 
ciation was  given  the  use  of  quarters  in  the  residence  of  Oscar  Taylor,  rent 
free. 

Such  was  the  history  of  the  Young  Men's  Library  Association.  Not  until 
fourteen  years  after  its  organization  was  the  first  Freeport  public  library  for- 
mally instituted.  In  1889,  the  first  library  board  was  appointed  by  Mayor  Charles 
Nieman,  and  on  March  30  of  that  year  they  held  their  first  meting  in  the 
council  room  of  the  city  hall.  The  first  board  consisted  of  Miss  Winnie  Tay- 
lor, P.  H.  Murphy,  E.  P.  Barton,  Henry  Lichtenberger,  Will  R.  Malburn,  S. 
D.  Atkins,  Miss  Mary  E.  Holder,  B.  T.  Buckley,  and  D.  C.  Stover.  S.  D. 
Atkins  was  elected  president,  and  Miss  Mary  E.  Holder  was  made  secretary. 
Shortly  after  the  organization,  Will  R.  Malburn  resigned,  and  his  position  was 
filled  by  G.  W.  Warner. 

On  January  27,  1890,  the  present  by-laws  of  the  association  were  drawn 
up,  providing  for  the  appointment  of  a  librarian.  Up  to  that  time  there  had 
been  no  regular  librarian.  The  library  had  been  conducted  under  the  old  regu- 
lations of  the  Young  Men's  Library  Association,  it  had  been  open  on  Saturday 
afternoons  only,  and  Miss  Winnie  Taylor  had  officiated  as  unpaid  librarian. 

When  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building  was  built,  the  city  offered  to  furnish  the 
building  stone  for  the  first  story  and  basement  of  the  structure,  providing  the 
association  would  furnish  quarters  for  housing  the  Freeport  public  library.  This 
the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  agreed  to  do,  and  as  soon  as  they  were  finished  the  public 
library  moved  in,  opened  on  May  2,  1890,  and  continued  to  occupy  the  rooms 
for  about  ten  years.  The  rooms  were  located  on  the  first  floor,  with  an  en- 
trance on  the  Walnut  street  side  of  the  building,  which  has  since  been  done 
away  with.  These  quarters  were  never  large  enough  for  the  library,  from  the 
very  beginning,  and  they  steadily  became  more  unsatisfactory.  The  library 
grew  very  rapidly.  Miss  Harriet  Lane,  who  had  been  first  appointed  sole 
librarian,  soon  found  the  duties  of  her  position  too  arduous  to  assume  alone, 
and  the  services  of  an  assistant  librarian  was  required.  Miss  Minna  Kunz 
filled  the  position  for  a  short  time,  and  later  Miss  Eva  Milner  was  engaged  as 
substitute  librarian. 

All  the  while  that  the  library  occupied  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  rooms,  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  itself  was  growing,  and  found  the  quarters  which  it  occupied  too  cramped. 
By  mutual  consent,  the  association  and  library  decided  to  separate  as  soon  as 


556  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

a  way  could  be  conveniently  found.  When  the  new  city  hall  was  built,  it 
seemed  that  the  time  had  come.  The  city  agreed  to  fit  up  the  second  floor  for 
library  purposes,  and  did  so,  but  the  result  was  so  highly  unsatisfactory  that 
the  library  board  decided  to  give  up  the  use  of  the  room  without  delay.  The 
place  was  not  only  small,  but  it  was  entirely  unsuited  for  library  purposes.  It 
has  always  been  regretted  by  the  Freeport  people  that  such  a  step  was  ever 
contemplated,  for  the  city  hall  is  at  present  marred  by  a  cycle  of  literary  names, 
which  are  inscribed  in  the  red  sandstone  under  the  eaves.  The  idea  is  pre- 
sumably to  give  evidence  of  the  fact  that  a  library  is  housed  in  the  city  hall 
building,  but  as  the  library  never  took  possession  of  those  quarters  the  inscrip- 
tions are  manifestly  inappropriate  and  out  of  place. 

About  1900  the  building  of  a  new  building  for  the  exclusive  occupancy  of 
the  Freport  public  library  was  contemplated,  and  it  was  decided  to  build  one. 
But  nothing  was  done  for  some  months,  until  the  crowded  condition  of  the 
quarters  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building  made  it  imperative  that  relief  should  be 
found  at  once.  It  was  about  the  time  that  Andrew  Carnegie  instituted  the 
practice  of  donating  money  for  the  building  of  libraries,  and  the  great  philan- 
thropist was  solicited  for  a  contribution  for  the  Freeport  public  library.  He 
magnanimously  presented  the  library  board  with  the  sum  of  $30,000,  which, 
however,  was  insufficient  for  the  building.  When  completed,  the  present  library 
building  cost  in  the  neighborhood  of  $40,000.  The  additional  $10,000  was  do- 
nated in  part  by  Dr.  W.  S.  Caldwell,  who  left  a  legacy  of  $2,500  to  the  library, 
and  in  part  by  subscriptions  at  large  among  the  philanthropic  citizens  of  Free- 
port.  The  board  of  education  leased  a  suite  of  rooms  on  the  second  story  of 
the  building  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  at  a  rental  of  $12  per  month.  This 
helped  to  pay  something  toward  the  library  expenses  also. 

The  new  library  building  was  opened  September  4,  1902.  It  is  unques- 
tionably the  handsomest  of  the  public  buildings  of  Freeport.  The  building  is 
built  of  red  colonial  brick  with  stone  trimmings.  Vines  which  were  planted 
when  the  building  was  built,  eight  years  ago,  have  completely  overrun  the 
sides  and  rear  of  the  structure,  giving  the  whole  an  attractive  and  picturesque 
appearance. 

The  first  floor  and  basement  of  the  building  are  given  over  to  the  Freport 
public  library,  and  contain  the  reading  rooms,  storerooms  and  stack  rooms  of 
the  circulating  and  reference  departments.  The  second  floor  is  occupied  in 
part  by  the  board  of  education  rooms.  The  east  room  is  given  up  to  the  His- 
torical Museum  of  Stephenson  County. 

Plans  are  being  made  to  move  the  children's  room  to  the  second  story  of 
the  library,  install  the  reading  room  in  the  apartment  now  occupied  by  the  chil- 
dren's room,  and  turn  the  present  reading  room  into  a  reference  room.  When 
the  contemplated  improvements  are  accomplished,  the  library  will  be  more 
conveniently  arranged.  The  equipment,  as  concerns  shelving,  etc.,  is  modern 
in  every  particular.  The  shelves  of  the  main  stack  room  are  metallic,  and  were 
made  by  the  Fenton  Metallic  Company,  of  Jamestown,  New  York.  The  Free- 
port  public  library  is  also  a  government  depository,  and  receives  all  public  doc- 
uments and  congressional  records  from  Washington. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  557 

The  late  Robert  R.  Hitt,  congressman  from  this  district,  always  took  a 
deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  Freeport  public  library,  and  it  is  largely  due 
to  his  efforts  that  the  collection  of  public  documents  is  so  complete  as  it  is 
today.  His  successor,  Frank  O.  Lowden,  has  also  been  of  great  assistance  in 
filling  out  the  collection  of  government  pamphlets  and  congressional  records. 
These  various  documents  are  stored  in  the  basement  of  the  library  and  occupy 
about  half  of  that  department. 

The  library  is  in  charge  of  six  able  and  experienced  librarians.  Miss  Har- 
ton,  Lane,  who  is  head  librarian,  has  been  connected  with  the  institution  ever 
since  its  organization  as  the  Freeport  public  library.  She  is  assisted  by  Miss 
Eva  Milner,  reference  librarian;  Miss  Ruth  Hughes,  children's  librarian;  and 
Miss  Marguerite  Davenport,  Mrs.  Harvey  Hartman,  and  Miss  Emma  Bur- 
ton, substitute  librarians. 

The  library  today  contains  about  twenty-eight  thousand  volumes  in  its  various 
departments,  not  including  the  government  document  division.  The  records  of 
the  past  year  show  that  over  sixty-six  thousand  volumes  were  drawn  from  the 
library.  Sixty  or  more  periodicals  are  taken  by  the  Freeport  library,  and  can 
be  consulted  in  the  reading  room.  Files  are  kept  of  all  the  Freeport  daily 
papers.  The  library  has  at  various  times  received  large  legacies  of  libraries 
from  Freeport  citizens.  Among  the  largest  collections  have  been  the  libraries 
of  Horatio  C.  Burchard  and  E.  P.  Barton. 

The  library  board  consists  of  nine  members,  appointed  by  the  mayor  of  the 
city.  The  board  at  present  in  charge  consists  of  O.  P.  Wright,  president; 
Fred  Wagner,  secretary;  L.  L.  Munn,  treasurer;  L.  Z.  Farwell,  Miss  Winnie 
Taylor,  Addison  Bidwell,  Joseph  Barron,  Harry  Hineline,  and  Robert  D. 
Kuehner,  members. 

LIBRARY. 

The  Freeport  public  library  has  had  a  rapid  growth  since  its  establishment 
in  1890.  The  annual  report  of  the  librarian  for  June,  1891,  shows  that  the 
library  then  contained  four  thousand,  six  hundred  and  seventy-three  volumes. 
A  systematic  method  of  increasing  the  number  of  volumes  followed  and  the 
annual  report  of  1910  shows  that  the  library  now  contains  twenty-eight  thou- 
sand, one  hundred  and  twelve  volumes. 

Miss  Lane,  the  efficient  librarian,  keeps  thoroughly  posted  on  new  books 
and  the  library  will  be  found  at  all  times  to  be  abreast  of  the  times.  The 
needs  of  organizations,  such  as  churches,  schools,  the  Shakespeare  Society, 
Culture  Club,  Woman's  Club,  D.  A.  R.,  etc.,  are  given  considerable  atten- 
tion and  books  and  magazines  are  added  to  supply  the  wants  of  these  and  other 
organizations. 

A  comparison  of  the  reports  of  1891  and  1910  affords  some  interesting  con- 
trasts: In  1891,  thirty  thousand,  three  hundred  and  fifty-one  volumes  were 
loaned;  in  1910,  sixty- four  thousand,  two  hundred  and  sixty-nine. 

Itemized  lists  follow: 

(1891)       (1910) 

Philosophy     446 

Fiction    16,602        4O.991 


558  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Juvenile    10,400  12,246 

Travel   958  1,069 

Poetry    265  .... 

History     864  1 ,066 

Science    284  826 

Biography    334  866 

German    194  .... 

Religion    106  619 

Essays 152  .... 

Language    57 

Art  and  music 135  .... 

Literature  I,5O5 

Useful  arts 579 

Fun  arts 450 

Philology    3 

Foreign  literature ....  1,646 

Current  periodicals 807 

Sociology    1,150 

THE    HOSPITALS  OF   FREEPORT. 

The  hospitals  of  Freport  are  three  in  number:  St  Francis,  the  Globe  Hos- 
pital, and  the  White  Sanitorium.  All  are  elegant  in  their  appointments,  and  for 
comfort  and  general  completeness  of  equipment  are  hardly  surpassed  by  any 
similar  institutions  in  a  town  of  the  size  of  Freeport.  The  oldest  of  the  three, 
St.  Francis  Hospital,  is  maintained  by  the  Catholic  sisters  of  St.  Francis,  and 
supported  by  the  congregation  of  St.  Joseph's  German  Catholic  church. 

St.  Francis  Hospital  is  located  on  that  beautiful  natural  eminence  known  as 
Walnut  Hill  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  city,  on  Walnut,  near  Empire  street. 
The  site  is  most  beautiful,  being  high  and  dry,  and  commanding  a  superb  view 
of  the  city  and  its  suburbs.  Of  late  years  the  neighborhood  has  been  built  up, 
but  when  the  institution  was  founded  it  was  practically  bare  of  houses.  A  con- 
temporary account  describes  the  hospital  as  a  "large,  four  story  brick  edifice, 
occupying  a  beautiful  site  just  on  the  southern  boundary  of  the  city,  and  sur- 
rounded on  the  west  and  south  by  broad  fields  and  green  meadows,  bounded 
by  groves  of  pine  and  rugged  oaks."  The  "broad  fields  and  green  meadows" 
have  given  place  to  pleasant  stretches  of  green  lawn  and  shaded  park,  and 
there  has  been  a  mushroom  growth  of  beautiful  and  substantial  residences.  The 
"groves  of  pine  and  oak"  remain,  however,  and  in  the  midst  of  one  of  them 
St.  Francis  Hospital  stands,  the  pioneer  structure  of  Walnut  Hill,  and  still  one 
of  those  numerous  public  buildings  in  which  the  people  of  Freeport  take  well- 
grounded  pride. 

The  building  was  erected  in  1889,  at  a  cost  of  $20.000,  and  was  dedicated 
on  the  I2th  of  February,  1890.  Two  days  after  the  dedication  the  first  patient 
was  admitted,  and  the  hospital  has  since  continued  to  receive  the  patronage  of 
the  sick  and  afflicted  of  all  classes,  nationalities,  and  religious  sects.  The  hos- 
pital is  a  charitable  institution,  and  although  conducted  by  a  Catholic  organiza- 


- 

OB 

B 
o 
oc 


OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  559 

tion  and  cared  for  by  Catholic  Franciscan  nuns,  its  inmates  are  not  chosen  with 
regard  to  race,  color,  religion,  sect,  or  nationality.  During  the  first  year  of  its 
career  the  hospital  cared  for  sixty-eight  patients.  The  second  year  one  hundred 
and  forty-six  were  cared  for,  showing  that  the  institution  had  increased  in 
reputation  and  popularity.  Since  that  time  the  increase  has  been  consistent  with 
the  growth  of  the  city. 

All  the  leading  physicians  of  Freeport  have  availed  themselves  of  the  privi- 
leges of  St.  Francis  Hospital.  The  institution  has  no  regularly  appointed  staff 
of  physicians,  and  each  patient  is  at  liberty  to  choose  his  or  her  attendant.  In 
addition  to  the  work  carried  on  in  the  hospital  itself,  the  sisters  of  St.  Francis 
nurse  patients  in  private  families,  and  carry  on  much  charitable  and  remu- 
nerative work  outside  as  an  extended  department  of  the  institution.  The  ex- 
penses of  the  hospital  are  met  in  part  by  the  contributions  of  patients,  who  pay 
as  much  as  they  are  able,  and  in  part  by  the  charitable  and  benevolent  societies 
of  St.  Joseph's  church.  A  large  sum  was  recently  left  to  St.  Francis  Hospital 
by  J.  B.  Taylor,  one  of  Freeport's  oldest  citizens,  whose  death  occurred  within 
the  past  year.  Mr.  Taylor  was  not  a  Catholic  himself,  but  was  a  generous  and 
philanthropic  man  by  nature,  and  had  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the 
affairs  of  St.  Francis  Hospital  and  St.  Vincent's  Orphan  Asylum. 

The  hospital  building  is  a  model  of  convenience  and  utility.  It  is  spacious, 
and  well  ventilated,  finished  in  oak  throughout  and  supplied  with  every  con- 
venience known  to  architect  and  sanitary  engineer.  It  is  of  brick,  four  stories 
high,  with  stone  basement  and  a  handsome  tower.  It  is  heated  with  steam,  and 
lighted  with  gas  and  electricity.  In  1903  a  large  addition  was  built  on  the  south 
end  of  the  hospital,  the  needs  of  the  institution  having  outgrown  the  old  build- 
ing. The  new  addition  is  of  pressed  brick,  four  stories  in  height,  and  contains, 
besides  some  of  the  most  modern  and  elegantly  furnished  apartments  of  the 
hospital,  a  large  chapel  in  which  mass  is  read  by  the  priests  of  St.  Joseph's 
parish.  All  the  rooms  of  both  buildings  are  supplied  with  hot  and  cold  water. 
In  the  basement  are  located  the  kitchen,  dining  room  and  laundry,  and  also  a 
room  for  paupers.  The  first  floor  contains  the  parlors,  reception  room,  operat- 
ing room,  physicians'  offices,  sisters'  apartments,  bath  rooms,  etc.  The  other 
floors  are  devoted  to  wards.  The  total  value  of  the  property,  together  with 
the  new  addition,  is  about  $35,000. 

The  White  Sanitarium  on  the  corner  of  North  Galena  avenue  and  Clark 
avenue,  is  a  model  institution  of  its  kind.  It  differs  from  the  other  hospitals 
of  Freeport  in  having  a  regular  corps  of  physicians  and  surgeons  of  its  own* 
These  are  Dr.  J.  T.  White,  Dr.  R.  M.  White,  Dr.  R.  H.  Shaw,  and  Dr.  W.  C. 
Leeper.  Dr.  Littlejohn,  of  Chicago,  and  Dr.  C.  C.  Kost,  of  Dixon,  were  also 
at  one  time  connected  with  the  White  institution 

The  first  White  Sanitarium  was  established  in  1898-9  by  Dr.  J.  T.  White, 
who  came  here  from  Missouri.  He  was  a  graduate  of  the  Missouri  Medical 
College,  and  a  post-graduate  of  Johns  Hopkins  University,  and  has  had  con- 
siderable experience  in  his  chosen  field.  He  first  established  his  office  and  lo- 
cated his  rooms  at  his  own  residence  on  Douglas  avenue,  near  Cherry  street. 
His  practice  grew  and  he  presently  saw  fit  to  establish  a  sanitarium  at  the  same 
place.  In  1901  he  was  joined  by  his  brother,  Dr.  Rooert  M.  White,  who  became 


560  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

a  partner  in  the  business.  Dr.  R.  M.  White  was  a  graduate  of  the  Still  College 
of  Osteopathy  of  Des  Moines,  and  of  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons 
of  Chicago. 

The  Drs.  White  remained  at  the  Douglas  Avenue  Sanitarium  for  only  one 
year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  the  Younger  property  on  the  corner  of  Clark 
and  North  Galena  avenues  was  purchased.  An  extensive  addition  was  made 
before  the  sanitarium  moved  to  its  new  home,  and  the  grounds  and  attached 
buildings  were  considerably  improved. 

For  two  years  Dr.  David  Little  John,  of  Chicago,  was  on  the  staff  of  physi- 
cians of  the  White  Sanitarium.  Soon  after  his  departure  his  place  was  filled 
by  Dr.  C.  C.  Kost,  of  Dixon.  Dr.  Kost  stayed  in  Freeport  about  a  year.  He 
has  been  since  succeeded  by  Dr.  R.  H.  Shaw  and  Dr.  W.  C.  Leeper.  Dr.  Shaw 
is  a  graduate  of  Iowa  State  University,  and  of  the  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeon  of  Chicago.  Dr.  Leeper  graduated  from  Vanderbilt  University,  at 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  finished  his  medical  training  at  the  Illinois  Medical 
School,  and  at  Columbia  University,  New  York.  Under  the  management  of 
these  skilled  and  competent  physicians  the  career  of  the  institution  has  been  one 
of  marked  success. 

The  latest  addition  to  the  group  of  buildings  forming  the  White  Sanitarium 
was  the  commodious  west  wing  known  as  the  Hospital  Annex,  which  was 
erected  in  1907,  at  a  cost  of  $21,000.  Another  edifice  to  the  west  of  this  is 
now  contemplated,  and  when  the  whole  is  finished  the  sanitorium  property  will 
comprise  the  greater  part  of  the  land  bounded  by  North  Galena  avenue,  Walnut 
street  and  Clark  avenue.  The  land  west  of  the  sanitorium  is  already  in  the 
hands  of  the  sanitorium  directors  and  plans  for  building  have  been  made. 

The  White  Sanitorium  also  conducts  a  nurses'  training  school  known  as 
the  Christian  Training  School,  which  was  established  by  Miss  Winifred  Tay- 
lor and  Dr.  J.  T.  White  in  1905.  Miss  Taylor  has  always  taken  a  deep  inter- 
est in  the  affairs  of  the  training  school,  and  is  now  its  president.  Fifteen  nurses 
of  the  training  school  are  in  the  service  of  the  sanitorium  all  the  year  round. 

The  management  of  this  corporation  is  unique  and  unlike  that  of  any  other 
hospital  doing  business  in  this  section  of  the  state  in  that  its  physicians  are  en- 
tirely in  its  employ,  receiving  only  a  salary  for  their  services  with  an  idea  that 
no  patient's  financial  condition  will  influence  their  diagnosis  or  treatment.  In 
this  way  it  is  all  the  same  to  the  physicians  whether  the  patient  pays  much  or 
nothing  as  he  is  wholly  dependent  upon  the  corporation  and  the  patient  receives 
an  entirely  independent  opinion. 

The  institution  is  up  to  date  in  every  respect,  in  equipment,  methods,  and 
all  the  appurtenances  thereto.  The  buildings  are  at  present  one  of  the  boasts 
of  the  city,  and  when  the  new  addition  is  completed,  the  White  Sanitorium  will 
be  a  permanent  monument  to  the  indefatigable  zeal  and  energy  of  its  founder. 
The  institution  has  facilities  for  caring  for  forty-five  patients.  The  property 
assets  of  the  corporation  have  grown  until  they  almost  reach  the  $100.000 
valuation. 

Globe  Hospital.  The  newest  of  the  Freeport  hospitals  is  Globe  Hospital. 
The  hospital  is  an  incorporated  association,  under  the  act  of  February  22,  1900, 
the  incorporators  being  the  first  directors.  The  hospital  was  opened  July  i, 


GLOKi:   HOSPITAL 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  561 

1902,  on  West  Stephenson  street,  and  occupies  the  building  formerly  owned  by 
the  late  Horatio  Burchard,  who  sold  it  to  the  Globe  Hospital  about  seven  years 
before  his  death.  He  had  occupied  it  himself  for  fifteen  years,  and  previous 
to  that  time,  it  had  been  the  residence  of  Colonel  Shaffer,  who  was  afterward 
appointed  governor  of  Utah.  As  the  original  building  was  somewhat  small,  it 
was  enlarged,  and  fitted  up  with  the  latest  and  best  modern  hospital  equipments, 
including  fine  operating  rooms,  an  X-ray  room,  elevator,  heating  plant,  electric 
lights,  etc.  There  are  forty-two  beds  in  the  hospital,  and  on  an  average  twenty 
patients  are  being  cared  for  at  the  hospital  at  all  seasons. 

The  hospital  was  originally  a  part  of  the  Knights  of  the  Globe  Home,  and 
it  was  intended  that  the  hospital  should  supplement  the  larger  institution.  The 
hospital  has,  however,  become  the  most  important  part  of  the  home,  and  has 
taken  an  important  place  among  the  hospitals,  not  only  of  Freeport,  but  of 
northern  Illinois.  Dr.  W.  W.  Krape  was  the  founder  of  the  hospital,  as  he 
was  of  the  Order  of  the  Knights  of  the  Globe,  and  has  since  continued  to  be 
identified  with  the  directing  staff. 

There  is  no  regularly  appointed  medical  staff.  The  physicians  of  Freeport 
and  of  the  county  have  all  been  considered  as  members  of  the  staff,  and  every 
physician  within  a  radius  of  fifty  miles  is  considered  as  a  member  of  the  med- 
ical advisory  staff.  The  work  of  the  hospital  is  strictly  charitable.  No  person 
suffering  or  needing  care,  whose  disease  is  not  a  prohibited  contagious  one,  has 
ever  been  turned  away  from  Globe  Hospital  because  of  inability  to  pay.  The 
institution  was  founded  with  charitable  work  in  view,  and  has  since  done  yearly 
charitable  work  to  the  extent  of  about  $500  per  annum.  The  nurses  of  Globe 
Hospital  are  at  the  command  of  rich  and  poor  alike  outside  of  the  hospital 
whenever  needed. 

There  is  a  great  demand  for  an  old  people's  home  and  orphanage  in  con- 
nection with  Globe  Hospital,  and  in  the  near  future  the  management  expects 
to  erect  a  cottage  for  old  people  on  the  hospital  grounds.  A  number  of  rooms 
have  been  set  aside  at  the  hospital  for  the  accommodation  of  old  people,  but 
arrangements  are  not  yet  entirely  satisfactory.  It  would  indeed  be  a  public  ser- 
vice if  some  philanthropic  citizen  were  to  give  money  for  the  erection  of  a 
home  and  orpahanage, 

There  is  also  a  nurses'  training  school,  founded  in  1903,  which  is  conducted 
in  connection  with  the  hospital.  Nineteen  nurses  have  graduated  from  the 
school  since  its  foundation.  Miss  Anna  R.  Pengilly,  superintendent  of  the  hos- 
pital, is  in  charge  of  the  school,  assisted  by  Miss  Emma  Bluhm,  head  nurse. 
A  nurses'  cottage  of  eight  rooms  has  been  erected  on  the  grounds  adjoining  the 
hospital. 

No  hospital  has  a  greater  patronage  than  Globe  Hospital.  The  delightful 
situation  of  the  hospital,  the  careful  and  painstaking  treatment  which  patients 
receive,  and  the  excellent  equipment  of  the  institution  have  given  Globe  Hos- 
pital a  name  and  reputation  among  every  class  of  citizen  in  Freeport.  The  hos- 
pital is,  of  course,  entirely  non-sectarian,  and  aims  to  serve  every  one  of  its 
patients  without  discrimination  as  to  religious  belief,  or  any  other  consideration 
of  the  sort.  A  large  number  of  patients  are  cared  for  annually,  and  the  ca- 
pacities of  the  hospital  building  are  taxed  to  the  utmost.  An  addition  to  the 


562  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

building  is  contemplated  in  the  near  future,  if  sufficient  funds  can  be  secured 
for  its  completion.  The  hospital  is  in  every  way  an  ideally  conducted  insti- 
tution, and  all  who  have  enjoyed  its  privileges  have  testified  as  to  the  excellent 
manner  in  which  the  patients  are  cared  for. 

KING'S  DAUGHTERS  SETTLEMENT   HOME. 

There  have  been  numberless  charitable  organizations  in  the  city  of  Freeport, 
and  some  of  them  have  put  in  some  really  effective  work.  But,  until  the  found- 
ing of  the  King's  Daughters  Settlement  Home,  there  was  a  lack  of  system,  an  ab- 
sence of  unified  and  continuous  effort,  which  rendered  a  great  part  of  the  ear- 
nest and  conscientious  labor  as  good  as  worthless.  Since  that  organization  has 
taken  upon  itself  the  bulk  of  charitable  work  among  the  poor  of  the  city,  the 
results  have  not  only  been  gratifying,  but  in  many  cases  astonishing.  Much  of 
the  labor  carried  on  by  the  settlement  home  is  of  the  sort  that  cannot  be  written 
about.  There  is  no  publicity  attached  to  it,  and  the  vast  majority  of  the  towns- 
people know  very  little  about  the  deal  of  good  which  is  being  done  daily  in  the 
little  rooms  of  East  Stephenson  street.  Too  much  credit  cannot  be  given  to 
the  earnest  and  unceasing  labors  of  the  noble  women  who  have  given  their 
lives  to  the  work  of  reclaiming  lost  souls  and  bettering  the  condition  of  Free- 
port's  poor,  socially,  morally,  religiously,  and  materially.  There  has  been  no 
"spread  eagle"  about  the  settlement  work  and,  in  fact,  the  ladies  connected 
with  the  project  have  been  so  modest  concerning  their  undertaking  that  the 
public  in  general  is  uniformed  as  to  the  achievements  of  the  past  six  years. 
A  historical  sketch  cannot  pretend  to  give  any  idea  of  the  amount  of  good  which 
has  been  done  by  the  settlement  home,  but  it  may  perhaps  convey  something  of 
the  scope  of  the  work,  and  the  branches  of  activity  which  have  been  taken  up 
by  the  ladies  in  charge. 

The  King's  Daughters  Settlement  Home  was  organized  in  1904,  but  not  in- 
corporated until  September  13,  1909.  It  was  an  outgrowth  of  the  Deaconess 
Home,  which  was  carried  on  under  the  supervision  of  the  two  Methodist  churches 
of  the  city.  The  deaconesses  aimed  to  carry  on  the  same  sort  of  work  that  is 
at  present  undertaken  by  the  workers  of  the  settlement  home,  but  the  field  of 
their  activity  was  necessarily  more  limited.  The  Deaconess'  Home  was  located 
for  a  time  on  the  corner  of  North  Galena  avenue  and  West  street,  and  later  on 
•  the  corner  of  Van  Buren  street  and  Oak  place. 

For  many  years  the  deaconesses  had  done  a  good  work  in  Freeport.  At 
length,  when,  owing  to  various  complications  at  the  time  of  building  the  First 
M.  E.  Church,  that  congregation  did  not  feel  equal  to  the  task  of  providing  for 
the  maintenance  of  the  work,  the  deaconesses  withdrew  from  their  support  al- 
together, and  this  wise  step  enabled  them  to  have  the  support  of  all  the  churches 
and  their  congregations,  rather  than  only  two  of  them.  A  store  building  was 
rented  on  East  Stephenson  street,  in  the  poorest  district  of  the  city,  and  there 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Comforting  Circle  of  King's  Daughters,  the  Settlement 
Home  was  established.  The  three  deaconesses  who  were  instrumental  in  the 
work  were  Miss  Ollie  G.  Webster,  who  has  since  left  the  city,  Miss  Margaret 
Niblo,  and  Mrs.  Eva  M.  Bailey. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  563 

The  home,  which  was  at  first  known  as  the  Deaconess'  Coffee  House  and  Set- 
tlement Home,  became  afterwards  known  as  the  King's  Daughters  Mission  and 
Settlement  Home.  Nearly  two  hundred  names  appeared  on  the  list  of  subscribers 
who  promised  to  help  provide  for  the  maintenance  of  the  institution — among  them 
many  business  firms  of  the  city,  and  the  several  charitable  organizations  of  the 
churches,  such  as  the  Amity  Society,  Comforting  Circle  King's  Daughters,  Min- 
istering Circle  King's  Daughters,  Women  Workers  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
church,  etc. 

Various  departments  of  instruction,  entertainment  and  education  are  pro- 
vided by  the  settlement  workers  for  the  poor  of  the  city.  An  innovation  of 
the  past  year  has  been  a  class  in  manual  training  for  the  boys,  which  met  with 
great  favor  among  the  boys — so  great,  indeed,  that  they  clamored  for  instruc- 
tion every  night  in  the  week  instead  of  one,  as  was  originally  offered.  Mr. 
Lebkicher  acted  as  instructor  for  a  while,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Barrett, 
who  will  teach  the  class  next  year.  There  has  been  also  a  "Bird  Club"  for  the 
boys,  under  the  patronage  and  tutelage  of  Miss  Marion  Clark.  The  aim  of  the 
Bird  Club  was  to  awake  and  stimulate  humanitarian  ideas  in  the  minds  of  the 
boys,  and  to  instill  a  love  for  the  beautiful  feathered  creatures  which  are  so 
beneficial  to  man. 

The  regular  departments  of  work  included  the  cooking  class,  the  industrial 
school,  the  employment  bureau,  the  Sunday  school,  the  mothers'  club,  as  well 
as  the  above  mentioned  organizations.  The  cooking  class  is  composed  of  an 
enthusiastic  club  of  girls  under  the  direction  of  Miss  Laura  Clark.  Much  good 
must  come  from  this  work,  as  the  girls  are  taught  to  prepare  nutritious  foods 
from  inexpensive  materials. 

The  industrial  school  under  the  supervision  of  Mrs.  Bailey  is  one  of  the  most 
important  branches  of  the  work.  There  are  two  divisions:  the  primary  depart- 
ment, and  the  girls'  sewing  department.  Mrs.  Bailey  has  been  ably  assisted  by 
a  corps  of  eight  excellent  workers.  The  primary  department  has  been  in  charge 
of  the  Misses  Katharine  and  Jeannette  Porter,  Mrs.  Osmer,  Mrs.  Wickler,  Miss 
Marion  Clark,  and  Miss  Riefsnyder.  The  advanced  department  has  been  taught 
by  Mrs.  Wm.  H.  Foil,  and  Mrs.  Henry  W.  Hamilton. 

The  employment  bureau  is  an  important  phase  of  the  work.  The  bureau 
finds  that  the  supply  of  workers  does  not  equal  the  demand  for  them.  If 
any  one  in  Freeport  is  without  legitimate  employment,  it  must  be  because  that 
individual  has  not  sought  assistance  from  the  King's  Daughters  Settlement 
Home  Employment  Bureau.  An  effort  is  made  to  provide  the  employer  with 
reliable  help,  and  to  secure  for  an  employee  a  just  employer. 

The  Sunday  school  meets  every  Sunday  afternoon  at  three  o'clock.  The 
adults'  Bible  class  has  been  well  attended  and  has  been  a  great  boon  to  mothers 
and  fathers  with  little  ones,  who  would  otherwise  be  deprived  of  the  privilege 
of  the  study  of  God's  word.  The  young  ladies'  class  holds  its  session  in  the 
parlors  upstairs,  and  is  doing  much  toward  inculcating  principles  of  purity  in 
the  hearts  of  these  girls.  The  intermediate  class  is  by  far  the  largest,  numbering 
sometimes  thirty-five  or  forty,  and  is  doing  much  good.  The  primary  division 
is  flourishing.  The  attendance  is  large,  and  the  lesson  hour  of  the  class  is  the 
happy  hour  of  the  week  for  the  little  ones.  The  truths  impressed  upon  their 


564  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

minds  and  hearts  in  story  and  song  will  fill  a  large  place  in  the  development 
of  their  future  lives. 

The  mothers'  club  continues  to  be  one  of  the  most  successful  of  the  clubs 
at  the  home.  The  membership  has  increased,  as  well  as  the  attendance  at  the 
meetings,  which  are  held  the  second  and  fourth  Thursday  afternoons  of  each 
month.  Many  outside  friends  of  the  club  contribute  to  the  interest  and  enjoy- 
ment of  the  programs.  Instrumental  and  vocal  music,  readings,  and  recitations, 
besides  talks  and  papers  have  all  helped  to  make  the  meetings  a  success.  An  ef- 
fort is  being  made  to  induce  the  members  to  subscribe  for  the  "Mothers'  Maga- 
zine," and  under  the  able  and  enthusiastic  direction  of  the  vice  president,  Mrs. 
Simmons,  the  work  committee  has  accomplished  much  during  the  year. 

The  annual  budget  of  the  King's  Daughters  Settlement  Home  is  defrayed  by 
rummage  sales,  tag  day,  shower  parties,  and  the  subscriptions  which  must  be  met 
through  the  generosity  of  the  public.  Aboard  of  lady  managers  is  in  charge 
of  the  work.  The  officers  for  the  year  are:  President,  Miss  Gertrude  Converse; 
vice  president,  Mrs.  J.  A.  Clark;  secretary,  Mrs.  P.  O.  Stiver;  treasurer,  Miss 
Myrtelle  Hoover;  workers,  Mrs.  Eva  M.  Bailey;  Miss  Margaret  Niblo. 

OAKLAND    CEMETERY    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Oakland  Cemetery  Association  was  organized  August,  1901,  by  a  com- 
pany of  Freeport  gentlemen,  nearly  all  of  whom  are  still  connected  with  the 
enterprise  today.  Of  the  large  number  of  public  spirited  citizens  who  united  to 
provide  the  city  of  Freeport  with  more  suitable  cemetery  facilities,  the  following 
were  elected  officers :  President,  William  Trembor ;  vice  president,  C.  W.  Harden ; 
secretary,  C.  F.  Hildreth;  treasurer,  Joseph  Emmert;  superintendent,  Owen  T. 
Smith. 

In  less  than  a  year,  the  offices  of  secretary  and  superintendent  were  com- 
bined, and  Mr.  Hildreth  resigned  from  his  position.  The  post  of  secretary- 
superintendent  has  since  been  filled  by  Mr.  Smith. 

Oakland  Cemetery  embraces  a  large  tract  of  wooded  land  in  Florence  Town- 
ship, on  the  Pearl  City  road.  One  hundred  and  eight  acres  in  all  are  owned 
by  the  association,  thirty  acres  of  which  are  used  for  cemetery  purposes.  The 
original  plans  of  the  cemetery  were  drawn  up  by  O.  C.  Simonds,  a  landscape 
gardener  of  Chicago,  and  provide  for  the  further  development  of  thirty  ad- 
ditional acres  as  fast  as  they  are  needed.  Further  than  that  no  plans  for  the 
development  of  the  land  have  been  made. 

The  cemetery  sells  lots  in  accordance  with  the  long  plan,  which  provides  for 
the  perpetual  care  of  the  grounds,  A  board  of  trustees  is  appointed  to  care 
for  the  permanent  fund  set  aside  from  the  income  from  the  sale  of  lots  to  in- 
sure the  perpetual  care  of  the  grounds  and  lots. 

The  cemetery  itself  is  most  beautiful.  A  description  of  the  growth  will 
be  found  elsewhere.  The  place  has  been  in  use  since  August,  1902,  when  the 
first  burial,  that  of  Mrs.  Homer  F.  Aspimvall,  was  made.  The  old  soldiers  have 
a  lot  decorated  with  cannons  from  Fort  Delaware  which  were  given  them  by 
the  government.  A  large  number  of  burials  have  been  made  at  Oakland  Ceme- 
tery since  the  institution  was  organized,  and  many  lots  are  at  present  being  moved 


EXTItAXCK  TO  OAKLAND  CEMETERY 


VIEW  OF  OAKLAND  CEMETEKY 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  565 

from  the  old  city  cemetery  on  Lincoln  avenue  to  the  new  grounds  west  of  the 
town.  The  present  officers  of  the  association  are :  President,  Joseph  Emmert ;  vice 
president,  C.  W.  Harden;  treasurer,  A.  S.  Held;  secretary-superintendent,  O. 
T.  Smith. 

THE  OLD  SETTLERS'  ASSOCIATION. 

The  Stephenson  County  Old  Settlers'  Association  has  held  annual  meetings 
every  year  beginning  in  1870.  The  meetings  are  held  at  Cedarville.  The  annual 
meetings  have  been  held  in  three  beautiful  groves;  first,  in  Montelius'  Grove, 
then  in  Addams'  Grove,  near  the  schoolhouse,  and  finally  in  the  present  grove  north 
of  the  village. 

In  the  fall  of  1869  the  idea  of  holding  annual  Old  Settlers'  Reunions  began 
to  take  form.  December  16,  1879,  a  public  meeting  was  held  in  the  courthouse 
at  Freeport,  to  take  steps  toward  an  organization.  Mr.  D.  A.  Knowlton,  Sr., 
was  elected  chairman  and  L.  W.  Guiteau,  secretary.  The  following  commit- 
tee was  appointed  to  report  the  following  Saturday :  James  Turnbull  and  Samuel 
Gunsaul,  Winslow ;  Levi  Robey  and  Samuel  K.  Fisher,  Waddams ;  Luman 
Montague  and  Thomas  French,  West  Point;  Williard  P.  Naramore  and  Jacob 
Gable,  Kent;  Andrew  Hinds  and  Bissell  P.  Belknap,  Oneco;  John  H.  Addams 
and  James  M.  Smith,  Buckeye;  Robert  Bell  and  William  B.  Mitchell,  Lan- 
caster; Calvin  Preston  and  Samuel  Chambers,  Rock  Grove;  S.  E.  M.  Carnefix 
and  Stephen  Seeley,  Rock  Run;  John  Brown  and  Harrison  Diemer,  Dakota;  A. 
J.  Niles  and  D.  W.  C.  Mallory,  Ridott;  Charles  H.  Rosenstiel  and  Fred  Baker, 
Silver  Creek ;  Conrad  Van  Brocklin  and  Anson  A.  Babcock,  Florence ;  Ralph 
Sabin  and  John  Lamb,  Loran ;  Samuel  Hayes,  Jefferson ;  Pascal  L.  Wright  and 
Perez  A.  Tisdel,  Harlem ;  Thomas  Kaufman  and  Alanson  Bacon,  Erin ;  E.  Ord- 
way,  William  Smith,  W.  G.  Waddell,  Thomas  C.  Gatliff,  Benjamin  Goddard, 
O.  W.  Brewster,  Jere  Pattison,  George  Purinton  and  Isaac  C.  Stoneman,  Free- 
port. 

At  the  meeting  on  Saturday  the  following  committee  was  appointed  to  draft 
a  constitution  and  by-laws,  to  provide  a  permanent  organization  and  to  arrange 
for  future  meetings :  Geo.  Purinton,  L.  W.  Guiteau,  M.  Hettinger,  D.  A.  Knowl- 
ton and  W.  S.  Gray.  The  next  meeting  was  held  January  i,  1870,  and  the  follow- 
ing were  elected  officers :  President,  Levi  Robey ;  secretaries,  George  Purinton 
and  D.  H.  Sutherland ;  treasurer,  L.  W.  Guiteau ;  vice  presidents,  W.  H.  Eels, 
B.  P.  Belknap,  Charles  T.  Kleckner,  John  Brown,  William  B.  Mitchell,  A.  W. 
Lucas,  H.  P.  Waters,  F.  Baker,  Benjamin  Goddard,  Pascal  Wright,  C.  Van 
Brocklin,  Luman  Montague,  Hubbard  Graves,  Jacob  Gable,  Samuel  Hayes  and 
Alanson  Bacon. 

The  first  meeting  was  held  in  Cedarville,  September  6,  1870.  President  Levi 
Robey  was  in  the  chair.  The  secretary  being  absent,  on  motion,  Jackson  Richert 
was  elected  secretary.  On  motion  of  John  H.  Addams,  article  three  of  the 
constitution  was  amended  to  read  as  follows :  "Any  person  may  become  a  mem- 
ber of  this  society  who  is  a  citizen  of  Stephenson  County,  by  signing  the  con- 
stitution and  paying  the  sum  of  twenty-five  cents." 

A  call  was  made  for  all  old  settlers  from  1834  to  1840  to  stand.  Quite 
a  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  stood  up.  Short  speeches  and  responses  were 


566  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

made  by  President  Levi  Robey,  Luman  Montague,  Henry  Eels,  I.  W.  Guiteau, 
Levi  Lucas,  Rev.  B.  H.  Cartright  and  others.  It  was  voted  to  hold  the  next  meet- 
ing August  30,  1871,  at  Cedarville. 

The  second  meeting  held  August  30,  1871,  in  Montelius'  Grove.  Cedarville 
was  well  attended,  Levi  Robey,  president,  and  Jackson  Richart,  secretary.  Music 
well,  Oneco;  J.  Radebaugh,  Winslow;  Luman  Montague,  West  Point;  Hubbard 
was  furnished  by  the  Cedarville  Glee  Club.  The  vice  presidents  were :  L.  Cald- 
Graves,  Waddams;  F.  Bolender,  Buckeye;  John  Brown,  Dakota;  W.  C.  Lunks, 
Rock  Run ;  R.  Farburn,  Ridott ;  R.  Bell,  Lancaster ;  T.  L.  Wright,  Harlem ;  B. 
Goddard,  Freeport ;  E.  Bacon,  Erin ;  J.  B.  Timms,  Kent ;  S.  Hayes,  Loran ; 
Conrad  Van  Brocklin,  Florence;  F.  Baker,  Silver  Creek;  Dr.  W.  P.  Narramore, 
Lena. 

Levi  Robey  and  wife  stood  up  at  the  call  for  1834;  L.  Montague,  S.  Cham- 
bers, Mr.  Berry  and  J.  B.  Timms  for  1835;  L.  Goodrich,  1836;  T.  Wilcoxen,  J. 
Richert,  G.  H.  Barber,  Josiah  Clingman,  1837;  B.  Belknapp,  C.  Caldwell,  M. 
Bolender,  J.  Murdock  and  S.  Rotrough,  1838.  Speeches  were  made  by  Levi 
Robey,  Luman  Montague,  S.  Chambers,  J.  B.  Timms,  T.  Wilcoxen,  Mr.  Belk- 
napp, Mr.  Rotrough  and  Rev.  B.  H.  Cartwright.  The  main  theme  of  the  speeches 
was  the  conditions  of  the  early  days,  with  special  reference  to  the  friendship 
and  sociability  of  the  people. 

At  the  meeting  of  1872,  August  28,  at  Montelius'  Grove,  President  Robey 
presided  and  Rev.  Donmeyer  offered  prayer.  On  motion  of  J.  H.  Addams,  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  draft  a  new  constitution,  the  old  one  having  been 
lost.  The  chairman  appointed  the  following:  J.  H.  Addams,  Judge  Hines,  Hon. 
James  Taggart,  Fred  Bolender  and  Michael  Gift.  The  meeting  in  1873  was 
held  in  Montelius'  Grove,  Levi  Robey  president.  Rev.  John  Lynn  offered  prayer. 
Music  was  furnished  by  the  Dakota  Brass  Band.  L.  W.  Guiteau,  Fred  Bolender 
and  William  Wright  were  appointed  to  secure  some  one  to  make  an  historical 
address  in  1874.  A  committee  of  one  from  each  township  was  appointed  to 
secure  statistics  of  the  early  settlements. 

The  annual  meeting  of  1874  was  held  in  Addams'  Grove  near  the  Union 
school,  Cedarville.  At  this  meeting  William  Wright  read  a  sketch  of  Harlem 
Township's  early  settlers. 

At  the  1875  meeting,  Addams'  Grove,  August  25,  speeches  were  made  by 
Hon.  H.  C.  Burchard,  J.  H.  Addams,  Rev.  B.  H.  Cartwright,  L.  W.  Guiteau,  S. 

D.  Atkins   and  Jared   Sheetz.     Dr.  W.   P.   Narramore   was  elected  president; 
Jackson  Richert,  secretary,  and  William  Wright,  treasurer. 

In  1876  Levi  Robey  was  elected  president.  U.  D.  Meacham  addressed  the 
meeting  on  the  early  settlers  and  progress  of  the  county. 

Hon.  Andrew  Hinds  addressed  the  meeting  of  1877,  August  29,  Mr.  Robey 
being  president. 

In  1878,  August  28,  J.  H.  Addams,  chairman  of  the  obituary  committee, 
reported  the  deaths  of  Conrad  Van  Brocklin,  E.  Ordway,  James  Brown, 
Johnathan  Reitzell,  John  B.  Johnson,  Martin  Brubaker.  Samuel  Lapp.  Solomon 
Rutheroff,  Charles  Smallwood,  W.  Pundlett,  Mrs.  Gross,  P.  T.  Ellis  and  Mrs, 

E.  S.  Caldwell. 


THOMAS  COCKHKLL 


OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  567 

In  1879  tne  officials  were:  President,  Levi  Robey;  secretary,  Jackson  Richert; 
treasurer,  William  Wright. 

August  25,  1880,  was  a  rainy  day  but  the  attendance  was  fair.  Vice  presi- 
dent, John  H.  Addams,  presided.  The  following  deaths  were  reported:  George 
Reitzell,  L.  W.  Guiteau,  John  Wilson,  James  Hart,  Samuel  Bechtold,  George 
Lamb,  Mrs.  Aaron  Chamberlain,  Mrs.  Isaac  Stoneman,  Mrs.  Andrew  St.  John, 
Reuben  Laver,  John  Gregory,  John  Seidler,  Henry  Smith,  Joseph  Baumgartner 
and  Adam  Hutmacher. 

In  1881,  General  Smith  D.  Atkins  addressed  the  meeting,  August  31.  Rev. 
James  Schofield  and  D.  A.  Knowlton,  Dr.  Fred  Byers,  of  Monroe,  Rev.  Kroh, 
Hon.  R.  R.  Hitt,  Hon.  H.  C.  Burchard  and  D.  S.  Brewster  also  spoke.  Bissell 
P.  Belknapp  was  elected  president. 

In  1882  addresses  were  made  by  General  S.  D.  Atkins,  Levi  Robey,  Judge 
Coates  and  L.  L.  Munn.  Belknapp  was  president  again  in  1883. 

In  1884  Dr.  W.  P.  Narramore  was  president;  John  Wright,  secretary;  and 
Henry  Richert,  treasurer.  Speeches  were  made  by  Major  N.  C.  Warner  of  Rock- 
ford,  by  Thomas  French,  S.  D.  Atkins,  O.  B.  Munn,  Hiram  Clingman  and  Dr. 
Narramore. 

August  26,  1885,  Hon.  Isaac  Rice  of  Ogle  County  made  the  address  of  the 
day.  At  the  1886,  General  Atkins,  Giles  Turneaure  and  W.  P.  Narramore  were 
made  obituary  committee.  Hon.  J.  S.  Cochran,  Hon.  E.  L.  Taylor,  Judge  Din- 
widdie,  Isaac  Kleckner  and  Levi  Robey  spoke. 

In  1887  Dr.  Fred  Byers,  General  Smith  D.  Atkins  and  Hon.  Michael  Stoskopf 
addressed  the  meeting.  In  1888  Rev.  John  Lynn,  Professor  C.  C.  Snyder,  Hon. 
R.  H.  Wiles,  James  McNamara,  Levi  Robey  and  General  Smith  D.  Atkins  were 
the  speakers. 

In  1889,  August  28,  the  music  was  by  the  Henney  Band.  The  speakers  were 
Rev.  H.  A.  Ott,  Freeport,  H.  M.  Timms,  R.  R.  Hitt,  Levi  Robey  and  H.  C. 
Burchard. 

In  1890  the  officials  were  Dr.  W.  P.  Narramore,  president ;  J.  W.  Adams,  sec- 
retary; and  Henry  Richert,  treasurer.  The  speaker  of  the  day  was  Governor 
J.  W.  Fifer.  John  K.  Brewster  and  S.  J.  Dodds  also  addressed  the  meeting. 

In  1908,  Dr.  Narramore  resigned  the  office  of  president.  He  had  served 
twenty-five  years,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  when  David  Brewster  was 
president.  In  1908  General  Smith  D.  Atkins  was  elected  president,  a  posi- 
tion he  still  holds.  Frank  W.  Clingman  has  been  secretary  since  1897. 

In  1909  about  one  thousand  eight  hundred  people  attended  the  Old  Settlers' 
Annual  Meeting.  Hon.  Charles  B.  Selby  was  the  orator  of  the  day.  Speeches 
were  also  made  by  Hon.  Stephen  Rigney  and  Hon.  Martin  Dillon. 

President  Smith  D.  Atkins  has  arranged  for  the  1910  meeting  to  be  held 
August  31,  at  Cedarville.  Good  music  and  an  orator  of  reputation  will  be 
secured. 

The  program  has  been  completed  for  the  forty-first  annual  meeting  of  the 
old  settlers  of  Stephenson  county,  which  will  be  held  in  the  Old  Settlers'  grove, 
one-quarter  of  a  mile  northeast  of  Cedarville,  Wednesday,  August  31.  A  feature 
of  the  day's  outing  will  be  the  old-fashioned  basket  picnic  at  noon.  The  chief 
speaker  of  the  day  will  be  Honorable  Benson  Wood,  of  Effingham.  Mr.  Wood 


568  .    HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

is  one  of  the  best  known  orators  in  the  state.  He  is  an  ex-member  of  congress 
and  is  also  prominent  in  G.  A.  R.  circles,  having  been  commander  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
department  of  Illinois. 

The  program  complete  is  as  follows : 

Call  to  order.    Music  by  Cedar  Cliff  band. 

Prayer  by  chaplain,  Rev.  J.  H.  Keagle,  Cedarville. 

Welcome  address,  Earl  J.  Smith,  Cedarville. 

Response,  Rev.  W.  D.  Marburger,  Bunker  Hill,  111.,  Military  Academy. 

Reading  of  minutes.    Treasurer's  report. 

Election  of  officers. 

Music,  Cedar  Cliff  band. 

Adjournment  for  dinner. 

Band  concert  i  to  2  p.  m. 

Annual  address,  Honorable  Benson  Wood. 

Short  addresses  by  old  settlers  and  others. 

Music  by  Cedar  Cliff  band. 

Warm  meals  will  be  served  by  the  ladies  of  the  United  Evangelical  Church 
at  Cedarville  for  25  cents. 

The  officers  of  the  association  are:  Smith  D.  Atkins,  president;  Henry  Rich- 
art,  treasurer ;  F.  W.  Clingman,  secretary ;  Clinton  Fink,  obituary  secretary ;  exec- 
utive committee,  M.  B.  Humphrey,  Wm.  Clingman,  S.  B.  Barber,  Jr.,  J.  F. 
Kryder,  S.  W.  Frank  and  Luther  Angle. 

It  is  expected  that  the  gathering  this  year  will  be  fully  up  to  the  record  set 
last  year  when  between  two  and  three  thousand  were  present.  Honorable  Charles 
E.  Selby,  of  Springfield,  was  the  speaker  a  year  ago.  The  old  settlers  have 
always  been  addressed  by  able  men  of  the  state,  such  leading  citizens  of  Illinois 
as  Cullom,  Lowden  and  Oglesby  having  been  on  previous  programs.  The  first 
meeting  was  held  in  Freeport,  forty-one  years  ago  and  there  are  some  living  to- 
day who  attended  that  initial  gathering.  It  is  expected  that  Freeport  will  send  a 
large  delegation  to  Cedarville  the  last  day  of  this  month. — The  Journal. 


THE  GREAT   STORM   OF  JUNE,    1869. 

On  June  19,  1869,  Freeport  was  the  victim  of  a  most  violent  storm.  The 
wind  was  terrific  and  for  hours  the  rain  poured  in  torrents.  The  branch  south 
of  Galena  street  over-flowed,  cellars  were  filled,  the  south  part  of  town  was 
cut  off  and  people  could  not  get  to  their  homes.  The  sidewalk  at  Chicago  street 
was  washed  away  some  distance.  Damage  was  extensive  at  Kuehners,  Pattison's 
Machine  Shop,  Hoebels  and  the  Gas  Works.  John  B.  Taylor's  Tannery,  on 
Jackson  street,  suffered  a  loss  of  over  $3,000,  the  dam  being  washed  out,  the 
vats  swept  away,  and  eighty  cords  of  bark  and  forty  sides  of  leather  washed 
away.  All  over  town  large  trees  were  blown  down.  The  barber  shop  at  the 
corner  of  Van  Buren  and  Stephenson  streets,  under  Pelton  &  Company's  Jewelry 
store  was  flooded.  The  cellars  of  John  Hoebel's  saloon  and  of  the  middle  ditch, 
Potter  &  Company,  wholesale  liquor  house  were  also  flooded.  The  total  damage 
to  Freeport  was  estimated  at  $50,000. 


STEPHEN SOX  COUNTY  COURTHOUSE 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

OF  ILUNOIS 


!  i  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  569 

THE  COURTHOUSE. 

The  present  courthouse  was  begun  in  1870  and  finished  in  1873.  To  make 
way  for  the  new  structure  the  old  building  was  hauled  away  to  the  lower  end 
of  Douglas  avenue  and  used  as  a  machine  shop.  The  first  courthouse  was  built 
by  Thomas  J.  Turner  who  took  the  contract  from  the  county  commissioners  in 
1837.  Julius  Smith  directed  the  work  of  getting  out  the  timbers  in  the  winter  of 
1837-8.  It  was  a  two-story  frame  structure,  and  in  its  earliest  day  was  considered 
a  marvel  of  architecture.  A  writer  of  an  early  history  says  it  was  considered  to 
surpass  in  size  and  elegance  all  other  buildings  west  of  Detroit  and  north  of 
St.  Louis.  It  stood  as  Stephenson  County's  Temple  of  Justice  from  1838  to 
1870.  During  that  time  many  notable  men  did  duty  within  its  walls  as  judges 
or  as  attorneys  at  the  bar.  Among  those  were  Martin  P.  Sweet,  Seth  B.  Farwell, 
Thomas  J.  Turner,  Thompson  Campbell,  Thomas  Drummond,  Joseph  L.  Hoge, 
James  L.  Loop,  Joseph  Knox,  Jason  Marsh,  Benjamin  R.  Sheldon,  E.  D.  Baker, 
E.  B.  Washburne,  Burnap,  Charles  Betts,  John  A.  Clark,  U.  D.  Meacham,  H.  C. 
Burchard,  J.  M.  Bailey,  F.  W.  S.  Brawley,  John  Coates,  J.  C.  Kean,  Hiram 
Bright,  Charles  F.  Bagg,  Thomas  F.  Goodhue  and  others. 

During  the  early  days  the  old  courthouse  served  as  a  meeting  place  for  new 
congregations  before  they  could  build  churches.  It  was  there  too  that  mass  meet- 
ings were  held,  conventions  and  railroad  meetings,  but  as  early  as  1850  citizens 
and  the  newspapers  began  to  complain  that  the  old  courthouse  was  not  in  keep- 
ing with  the  progress  of  the  county.  It  was  argued  that  a  community  would  be 
known  by  its  public  buildings,  and  Freeport  should  have  a  more  modern  struc- 
ture as  a  means  of  attracting  settlers  and  building  up  the  town.  But  there  was 
always  opposition,  and  no  definite  steps  were  taken  toward  the  erection  of  a  new 
building  till  1869. 

The  board  of  supervisors  in  1869  consisted  of  the  following:  Charles  H. 
Rosenstiel,  John  Burrell,  J.  A.  Grimes,  George  Osterhort,  C.  F.  Mayer,  H.  H. 
Becker,  Francis  Boeke,  James  McFatrick,  S.  K.  Fisher,  Peter  Marlin,  James  A. 
Templeton,  H.  O.  Frankeberger,  Andrew  Hinds,  Samuel  Wilber,  John  H.  Wil- 
liams, Ralph  Sabin  and  A.  A.  Babcock.  A  committee  was  instituted  to  secure 
plans  for  a  new  courthouse,  to  cost  not  exceeding  $80,000.  This  was  April  22, 
1869.  On.  February  22,  1870,  the  plans  of  E.  E.  Myers  of  Springfield  were 
accepted.  The  contract  to  build  the  new  house  was  let  to  A.  Walbaum  &  Com- 
pany. A  building  committee  consisting  of  S.  K.  Fisher,  Ralph  Sabin,  George 
Osterhort,  A.  P.  Goddard,  Andrew  Hinds  and  Peter  Marlin,  was  appointed 
April  23.  During  the  summer  the  corner  stone  was  laid.  The  new  court- 
house was  dedicated  February  22,  1873.  The  total  cost  of  building  and  equip- 
ment was  $130,413.56.  The  building  is  of  stone,  99  x  80,  four  stories  high 
including  basement  and  mansard  roof.  The  clock  was  placed  in  the  tower 
by  A.  W.  Ford,  who  is  still  in  business  as  a  jeweler  in  Freeport  near  the  City 
Hall.  The  clock  weighed  two  thousand  pounds.  The  pendulum  is  eight  and 
a  half  feet  long,  and  the  weights  necessary  to  run  the  clock  weigh  nine  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds.  The  clock  was  built  by  the  Seth  Thomas  &  Sons,  of  Con- 
necticut. The  bell  weighs  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  and  was 
cast  at  the  foundry  of  E.  A.  &  G.  Meneley  of  Troy,  New  York. 


570  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

On  the  first  floor,  following  around  to  the  right,  are  the  following  offices  in 
order :  County  clerk,  county  treasurer,  county  court,  county  supervisors,  county 
sheriff,  and  clerk  of  the  circuit  court.  On  the  second  floor,  in  the  northwest 
corner,  is  the  office  of  the  county  superintendent.  Until  the  winter  of  1909-10, 
the  state's  attorney  had  his  office  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  building.  At  that 
time  Hon.  Louis  H.  Burrell,  state's  attorney,  moved  the  office  to  a  suite  of  rooms 
over  the  Knowlton  Bank.  The  room  vacated  is  now  used  by  the  state's  at- 
torney only  during  the  time  that  court  is  in  session. 

The  county  superintendent  uses  the  two  rooms  on  the  top  floor,  one  as  an 
examination  room  and  one  as  a  library  and  reading  room  for  teachers.  This  was 
established  by  County  Superintendent  Cyrus  Grove  in  the  fall  of  1909. 

At  present,  the  circuit  room  is  being  remodeled.  It  has  always  possessed 
poor  accoustic  qualities.  The  court  room  is  to  be  smaller.  Jury  rooms,  a  wit- 
ness room  and  a  room  to  be  added  to  the  county  superintendent's  office  are 
to  be  cut  off  the  old  court  room. 


,THE   COUNTY  JAIL. 

The  first  county  jail  was  built  of  logs,  probably  by  Thomas  J.  Turner,  in'i 
It  was  located  on  the  corner  of  Cherry  and  Exchange,  now  the  site  of  the  First 
Ward  school.  Before  the  jail  was  completed,  prisoners  were  guarded,  it  is  said, 
by  armed  citizens.  The  old  log  jail  did  a  big  business  in  its  day.  The  presence 
of  outlaws,  counterfeiters,  horsethieves  and  claim-jumpers  in  the  community  made 
frequent  demands  for  jail  space.  Breaking  out  of  jail  was  not  uncommon,  for 
the  class  of  criminals  of  that  day  was  desperate  in  the  extreme.  The  "night 
watch,"  patrolling  the  premises  was  necessary  to  establish  reasonable  security. 
Before  the  log  jail  was  completed,  a  few  law  breakers  were  imprisoned  in 
William  Baker's  root  house. 

The  criminal  business  soon  outgrew  the  log  jail,  partly  for  lack  of  room  and 
partly,  too,  for  greater  security.  The  "Little  Stone  Jug"  was  adopted  as  a  county 
jail.  This  stone  bastile  was  located  north  of  the  present  jail.  The  citizens  now 
believed  that  jail  deliveries  would  cease.  In  this  belief  they  were  disappointed, 
for  the  passion  for  freedom  was  strong. 

It  is  one  of  the  anomalies  of  history  that  a  progressive  civilization  demands 
jail  facilities  that  are  both  secure  and  commodious.  In  the  fall  of  1875,  the 
county  supervisors,  under  the  inspiration  of  a  large  jail  delivery,  decided  to  build 
a  new  bastile.  This  action  was  taken  November  4,  and  a  committee  appointed 
to  secure  specifications  for  a  jail  to  cost  not  exceeding  $35,000.  The  committee 
consisted  of  John  Erfert,  A.  H.  Hinds,  J.  H.  Pierce  and  F.  A.  Darling. 

The  committee  visited  Rockford,  Joliet,  Dixon  and  Monroe  and  inspected" 
the  jails  of  those  cities.  The  contract  was  finally  let  to  W.  H.  Myers,  of  Fort 
Wayne,  Indiana,  who  completed  the  present  jail  at  the  corner  of  Exchange  and 
North  Galena.  The  plans  were  furnished  by  T.  J.  Tolan  &  Sons,  Fort  Wayne, 
Indiana.  The  building  is  made  of  brick  and  stone,  contains  the  home  for  the 
sheriff  besides  the  county  jail.  The  total  cost  of  the  building  and  lot  completed, 
was  $40,553.00. 


UNITED   STATES  COUHTHOfSE   AND   POST  OFFICE 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  571 

THE  FREEPORT  POSTOFFICE. 

The  Freeport  Postoffice  has  kept  pace  with  the  growth  and  development  of 
the  county.  The  spring  of  1836  the  mail  was  delivered  by  Thomas  Grain,  founder 
of  Grain's  Grove.  There  was  no  established  office  till  1837  when  B.  R. 
Wilmot  became  postmaster  in  a  small  room  on  Galena  street.  In  1842  L.  W. 
Guiteau  was  postmaster  with  an  office  at  the  corner  of  South  Galena  ave.  and 
Galena  streets.  The  mail  was  received  daily  by  the  stage.  Hon.  Thomas  J. 
Turner  was  next  in  position  and  kept  the  office  in  his  residence  in  Galena  street 
between  Van  Buren  and  Chicago  streets.  From  1843  to  ^49  Attorney  A.  T. 
Green  was  the  town  postmaster.  The  office  was  at  the  corner  of  Van  Buren  and 
Galena  streets  and  later  at  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Stephenson.  George 
Reitzell  conducted  the  office  at  the  corner  of  Van  Buren  and  Stephenson  streets 
from  May,  1849,  to  1853,  when  F.  W.  S.  Brawley  took  charge  at  the  corner  of 
North  Galena  ave.  and  Exchange  streets.  From  1858  to  1861  Mr.  Charles  S. 
Bagg  conducted  the  office  at  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Exchange  streets  and 
was  succeeded  by  Mr.  C.  K.  Judson  who  served  till  1865  when  General  Smith 
D.  Atkins  was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln.  An  attempt  to  have  Mr.  Atkins 
removed  because  he  was  not  a  follower  of  the  Andrew  Johnson  faction  failed. 
The  General  continued  to  hold  the  office  under  General  Grant's  Presidency,  and 
it  was  said  that  he  was  the  only  postmaster  who  remained  under  Grant  that  had 
served  during  Johnson's  term.  General  Atkins  continued  to  hold  the  office  un- 
der Hayes,  Garfield  and  Arthur.  The  election  of  Qeveland  in  1884  and  again 
in  1892,  caused  the  appointment  of  Democrat  and  Mr.  John  F.  Smith  served 
from  1885  to  1889,  and  F.  Charles  Donohue  from  1893  to  1897.  From  1889  to 
1893,  during  Harrison's  term,  General  Atkins  was  again  postmaster  and  in  1897, 
after  the  election  of  McKinkley  he  was  again  appointed  and  has  since  held  the 
position  by  appointment  under  President  Roosevelt  and  President  Taft.  During 
these  45  years  of  service  as  postmaster,  under  Presidents  Lincoln,  Johnson, 
Grant,  Hayes,  Garfield,  Arthur,  Harrison,  McKinley,  Roosevelt  and  Taft,  the 
business  of  the  office  has  had  a  remarkable  growth,  the  rural  delivery  and  city 
delivery  systems  have  been  established  and  the  present  government  building 
erected.  Today  Freeport  has  a  more  efficient  service  and  a  better  building  than 
most  cities  of  her  population. 

COUNTY  OFFICIALS igiO. 

The  county  officials  now  holding  office  are:  County  Judge,  A.  J.  Clarity,  of 
Lena;  County  Clerk,  Fred  C.  Held;  Circuit  Clerk,  C.  D.  Cramer;  State's  At- 
torney, Louis  H.  Burrell ;  Sheriff,  William  C.  Milner ;  County  Treasurer,  Barton 
G.  Cooper;  County  Superintendent  of  Schools,  Cyrus  Grove;  County  Surveyor, 
W.  H.  Butterfield;  Coroner,  Dr.  M.  M.  Baumgartner.     The  Board  of  Review 
consists  of  :  James  Rezner,  chairman;  H.  N.  Hartzell,  secretary,  and  Al.  Freuh. 
The  Board  of  Supervisors   for  1910-11   is  made  up  of  the  following: 
Town.  Supervisor.  Postoffice. 

Jefferson    Fred  Byers,     Loran. 

Loran  .  D.  L.  Mitchell,     Pearl  City. 


572 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 


Florence   John  Bruce,  Freeport,  R.  R.  i. 

Silver  Creek   Fred  Bangasser,  Freeport,  R.  R.  5. 

Ridott William  T.  Lamb,  Ridott. 

Rock  Run Fred  Alberstett,  Davis. 

Lancaster   James  Rezner,  Freeport. 

Freeport John  Bauscher,  Jr.,  Freeport. 

Freeport   Frank  Lohr,  Freeport. 

Freeport    Phillip    Molter,  Freeport. 

Freeport   J.  H.  Bamberger,  Freeport. 

Freeport  O.  E.  Stine,  Freeport. 

Harlem    Thomas   Pigney,  Sciota   Mills. 

Erin  W.  H.  Kauffman  Lena,  R.  R.  2. 

Kent  R.  R.  Thompson,  Kent. 

West  Point M.  F.  Halladay,  Lena. 

Waddams Wm.  J.  Wachlin,  McConnell. 

Buckeye F.  W.  Clingman,  Cedarville. 

Dakota   George   Nesemeier,  Dakota. 

Rock  Grove D.  I.  Felts,  Davis. 

Oneco Alfred  C.  Ebel,  Orangeville. 

Winslow    Hazel  Thompson,  Winslcw. 


STANDING    COMMITTEES IQIO-II. 

Finance — Lamb,  Halladay,  Alberstett,  Bruce  and  Lohr. 

County  Accounts — Kauffman,  Molter,  Mitchell,  Bamburger,  Hazel,  Thompson. 

Poor  and  County  Homes — Felts,  Ebel,  Nesemeier,  Baucher,  R.  R.  Thompson. 

State's  Attorney — Nesemeier,   Molter,   Bauscher. 

Roads  and  Bridges-^-Molter,  Clingman,  Felts,  Bangasser,  Wachlin. 

Coroner — Pigney,  Bamberger,  R.  R.  Thompson. 

Purchasing  Agent's  Accounts Mitchell,  Stine  and  Bruce. 

Sheriff — Halladay,  Lamb,  Wachlin. 
Public  Buildings — Alberstett,  Pigney,  Bangasser. 
Assessment  and  Taxes — Clingman,  Beyer,  Stine. 
County  Superintendent  Accounts — Ebel,  Felts,  Lohr. 
Blind — Kauffman,  Beyer,  Hazel,  Thompson. 

The  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  is  James  Rezner  and  F.  C. 
Held  is  Clerk. 

CITY  IMPROVEMENTS. 

During  the  last  ten  years  of  progress  in  all  lines,  extensive  city  improve- 
ments have  been  made  in  Freeport.  A  broader  public  spirit  has  been  manifested 
in  support  of  various  civic  enterprises.  The  electric  street-lighting  system  has 
doubled.  Miles  of  macadam  and  brick  streets  have  been  built  till  Freeport 
from  a  city  having  the  poorest  streets  in  the  state,  has  won  a  reputation  for  hav- 
ing the  best.  The  work  of  building  good  streets  so  well  maintained  by  Mayor 
Oilman's  administration,  is  being  kept  up  under  Mayor  Rawleigh.  The  exten- 
sion of  water  mains  and  the  increase  in  the  number  of  hydrants,  with  the 
additions  to  the  equipment  and  force  of  the  fire  department,  make  Freeport 


•«• 


Judge  Oscar  E.  Heard 


Hon.  Louis  H.  Rurrell 


G.  D.  Cooper, 
County  Treasurer 


Cyrus  Stover  Grove, 
County  Superintendent  of  Schools 


Conrad  D.  Cramer, 
Circuit  Clerk 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  573 

one  of  the  safest  cities  in  Illinois.  Charles  Hall,  as  Chief  of  Police,  has  proved 
to  be  eminently  satisfactory,  and  has  a  corps  of  good  officers  working  under 
him.  It  is  sufficient  to  say,  that  no  city  has  a  more  competent  body  of  fire- 
fighters than  Freeport. 

LOCAL    OPTION     CAMPAIGNS. 

Freeport  has  witnessed  two  Local  Option  Campaigns,  one  in  1908,  and 
one  in  1910.  In  the  1908  campaign  Mr.  J.  R.'  Jackson  was  chairman  of  the 
local  Anti-Saloon  League,  or  Civic  League,  and  Edward  L.  Burchard,  was  sec- 
retary and  chairman  of  the  publicity  committee.  Mr.  D.  F.  Graham,  was  vice 
president  and  Mr.  Fred  Hoefer  treasurer.  Mr.  Edward  Bushelle  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Local  Liquor  Dealers  Association  during  both  campaigns.  This 
campaign  of  1908  was  hotly  contested  from  start  to  finish,  both  sides  mak- 
ing extensive  use  of  the  daily  press  and  the  opera  house.  The  bitterness  aroused 
during  the  campaign  was  not  less  than  that  experienced  during  Civil  war  times. 
When  one  of  the  most  strenuous  election  days  in  the  history  of  Freeport  was  over 
and  the  votes  counted,  the  Civic  League  had  lost  by  714  votes.  In  the  cam- 
paign of  1908  Mr.  J.  R.  Jackson  was  again  president  of  the  Civic  League, 
with  J.  R.  Leckley,  secretary.  This  was  a  more  quiet  campaign  and  the  Civic 
League  lost  by  a  much  larger  vote. 

TRUSTEES    OF   THE   TOWN    OF    FREEPORT    FROM    ITS   ORGANIZATION    IN    1850    TO 

THE   YEAR    1855. 

1850-51. — Thomas  J.  Turner,  president;  Julius  Smith,  John  K.  Brewster, 
John  Rice,  Joseph  B.  Smith. 

1851-52. — Edward  S.  Hanchett,  president;  Silas  D.  Clark,  Thomas  Egan, 
Isaiah  G.  Bedee,  John  H.  Schlott. 

1852-53. — Silas  D.  Clark,  president;  John  Black,  Walter  P.  Hunt,  Jeduthan 
G.  Fuller,  Asahel  W.  Rice. 

-.53-54. — Peter  B.  Foster,  president;  Frederick  Baker,  William  D.  Oyler, 
Henry  Smith,  Julius  Smith,  Jacob  Mayer,  William  W.  Smith,  Isaac  Stoneman. 

1854-55. — Asahel  W.  Rice,  president;  John  K.  Brewster,  Warren  C.  Clark, 
Edward  S.  Hanchett,  Isaac  C.  Stoneman. 

CITY   OFFICERS    FROM    ITS    ORGANIZATION    IN    1855    TO    igiO. 

Mayors. 

Thomas  J.  Turner,  1855;  A.  Cameron  Hunt,  1856;  A.  Cameron  Hunt,  1857; 
John  W.  D.  Heald,  1858;  Denard  Shockley,  1859;  Hiram  Bright,  1860;  Francis 
W.  Hance,  1861 ;  Urban  D.  Meacham,  1862;  Charles  Butler,  1863;  John  F. 
Smith,  1864;  John  F.  Smith,  1865;  David  H.  Sunderland,  1867;  C.  J.  Fry, 
1869;  E.  L.  Cronkrite,  1871;  Jacob  Krohn,  1873;  A.  P.  Goddard,  1875;  Jacob 
Krohn,  1877;  E.  L.  Cronkrite,  1879;  James  McNamara,  1881 ;  James  Mc- 
Namara,  1883;  August  Bergman,  1885;  August  Bergman,  1887;  Chas.  Nieman, 
1889;  Chas.  Nieman,  1891;  August  Bergman,  1893;  J.  P.  Younger,  1895;  J.  P. 
Younger,  1897;  Albert  Baumgarten,  1899;  G.  A.  Huenkemeier,  1901;  C.  J. 
Dittmar,  1903;  C.  J.  Dittmar,  1905;  C.  J.  Dittmar,  1907;  W.  T.  Rawleigh,  1909. 


574  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Aldermen — First  Ward. 

Wm.  G.  Waddell,  1855;  John  A.  Clark,  1855;  John  H.  Schlott,  1856;  Hoi- 
den  Putnam,  1856;  John  A.  Clark,  1857;  John  C.  Kean,  1858;  Warren  C. 
Clark,  1859;  Thomas  Coltman,  1860;  Elias  C.  DePuy,  1860;  Isaac  H.  Miller, 
1861;  Jacob  B.  Kenegy,  1862;  Isaac  H.  Miller,  1863;  Wm.  G.  Waddell,  1864; 

E.  L.  Cronkrite,  1865;  Wm.  G.  Waddell,  1866;  August  Bergman,  1867;  A.  P. 
Goddard,  1868;  B.  T.  Buckley,  1869;  Wm.  O.  Wright,  1870;  J.  W.  Grain,  1871 ; 
Elias  Perkins,   1871;  Elias  Perkins,   1872;  O.   S.  Ferris,   1873;  George  Wolf, 
1874;  Chas.   F.   Goodhue,   1874;   August   Bergman,    1875;   Chas.   F.   Goodhue, 
1876;  August  Bergman,   1877;  J.  H.  Crane,  1878;  A.  T.  Irwin,   1879;  T.  L. 
Waddell,   1880;  Jacob  Hartman,  1881 ;  Daniel  Adamson,  1882. 

Aldermen  Under  Minority  Plan — First  District. 

Patrick  Lahey,  1883;  B.  T.  Buckley,  1883;  Daniel  Adamson,  1883;  W.  H. 
Holland,  1885;  B.  T.  Buckley,  1885;  J.  J.  Piersol,  1885;  S.  W.  Reigard,  1887; 
J.  J.  Piersol,  1887;  B.  T.  Buckley,  1887;  B.  T.  Buckley,  1889;  S.  W.  Reigard, 
1889;  W.  H.  Holland,  1889;  Geo.  Milner,  1891;  B.  T.  Buckley,  1891;  Wm. 
Harris,  1891 ;  D.  B.  Breed,  1893 ;  H.  H.  Hineline,  1893 ;  H.  F.  Hanke,  1893 ; 
Geo.  E.  White,  1895;  S.  W.  Reigard,  1895;  D.  B.  Breed,  1895;  Frank  Harris, 
1897;  D.  B.  Breed,  1897;  C.  D.  Cramer,  1897;  George  E.  White,  1899;  C.  D. 
Cramer,  1899;  Charles  L.  Snyder,  1899;  C.  D.  Cramer,  1901;  W.  E.  Fry,  1901; 

F.  O.  Keene,  1901 ;  C.  D.  Cramer,  1903 ;  C.  W.  Harden,  1903 ;  W.  T.  Rawleigh, 
I9°3 ;  J-  H.  Gibler,  1905 ;  C.  W.  Harden,  1905 ;  J.  E.  Harrington,  1905 ;  J.  H.  Gib- 
ler,  1907;  C.  W.  Harden,  1907;  J.  E.  Harrington,  1907;  Chas.  I.  Grant,  1909; 
August  E.  Hanke,  1909;  L.  G.  Younglove,  1909. 

Second  Ward. 

Joseph  B.  Smith,  1855;  John  Barfoot,  1855;  Asahel  W.  Rice,  1856;  Samuel 
B.  Harris,  1857;  Irvin  H.  Sunderland,  1858;  Thomas  Robinson,  1859;  Chan- 
cellor Martin,  1860;  James  H.  Bartlett,  1860;  Nathan  E.  Prentice,  1861 ;  John 
H.  Beaumont,  1862;  E.  McLaughlin,  1863;  Jacob  Rodearmel,  1864;  Charles 
L.  Currier,  1865;  J.  H.  Snyder,  1866;  Chas.  L.  Currier,  1867;  B.  Hunkemeier, 
1868;  Jacob  Rodearmel,  1869;  H.  H.  Upp,  1870;  T.  C.  Catliff,  1871;  Geo.  W. 
Oyler,  1872;  M.  Hettinger,  1873  '>  Geo.  W.  Oyler,  1874;  S.  Zartman,  1877;  Geo.  W. 
Oyler,  1876;  I.  S.  Zartman,  1877;  Darius  Kuehner,  1878;  I.  S.  Zartman,  1879; 
J.  Brown  Taylor,  1880;  Louis  Stoskopf,  1881 ;  D.  C.  Stover,  1882. 

Second  District. 

R.  M.  Race,  1883;  Wm.  Ascher,  1883;  L.  M.  DeVore,  1883;  George  Bruehler, 
1885;  L.  M.  DeVore,  1885;  J.  N.  Galloway,  1885;  G.  W.  Oyler,  1886;  J.  Law- 
son  Wright,  1887;  J.  N.  Galloway,  1887;  J.  R.  Cowley,  1887;  J.  N.  Galloway, 
1889;  J.  R.  Cowley,  1889;  L.  W.  Brunn,  1889;  J.  F.  Fair,  1891 ;  Wallace  Collins, 
1891 ;  J.  R.  Waddell,  1891 ;  Henry  Keller,  1893 ;  W.  S.  Best,  1893 ;  L.  M.  De- 
Vore, 1893;  G.  A.  Huenkemeier,  1895;  W.  S.  Best,  1895;  F.  C.  Kruse,  1895; 

G.  A.  Huenkemeier,  1897;  W.  S.  Best,  1897;  F.  C.  Kruse,  1897;  E.  O.  Dana, 
1899;  W.  H.  Flachtemeier,  1899;  John  R.  Rosebrugh,  1899;  W.  H.  Flachtemeier, 


HISTORY  OF  STEFHENSON  COUNTY  575 

1901 ;  W.  A.  Merrifield,  1901 ;  Steve  Steffen,  1901 ;  Oscar  Hill,  1903 ;  W.  A. 
Merrifield,  1903;  Steve  Steffen,  1903;  H.  F.  Dorman,  1905;  Geo.  Brockhausen, 
1905;  Steve  Steffen,  1905;  H.  F.  Dorman,  1907;  Geo.  Brockhausen,  1907;  Steve 
Steffen,  1907;  F.  A.  Schulz,  1909;  A.  H.  Wieman,  1909;  John  S.  Schadle,  1909. 

Third  Ward. 

A.  Cameron  Hunt,  1855;  John  P.  Byerly,  1855;  Jonn  W.  Heald,  1856;  John 
Hoebel,  1857;  Warren  C.  Clark,  1858;  James  M.  Smith,  1858;  John  Hoebel, 
1859;  Moses  B.  Thompson,  1860;  Jacob  Hime,  1861 ;  John  O'Connell,  1862; 
John  Hoebel,  1862;  P.  E.  Fowler,  1863;  Jacob  Krohn,  1864;  J.  S.  Rogers,  1865; 
Jacob  Krohn,  1866;  Fred  Bartlett,  1867;  Henry  Baier,  1868;  A.  J.  McCoy, 
1869;  Henry  Lichtenberger,  1870;  A.  J.  McCoy,  1871;  Henry  Lichtenberger, 
1872;  A.  J.  McCoy,  1873;  Henry  Lichtenberger,  1874;  A.  J.  McCoy,  1875; 
Charles  G.  Steffen,  1876;  Peter  Muldoon,  1877;  Henry  J.  Porter,  1878;  J.  R. 
Wagner,  1879;  Henry  J.  Porter,  1880;  W.  H.  Wagner,  1881 ;  A.  J.  McCoy,  1882. 

Third  District. 

A.  J.  McCoy,  1883;  John  Erfert,  1883;  O.  P.  Wright,  1883;  Charles  Nieman, 
1885;  J.  E.  Frisbie,  1885;  O.  P.  Wright,  1885;  A.  J.  McCoy,  1887;  T.  J.  Foley, 
1887;  H.  P.  Kochsmeier,  1887;  A.  J.  McCoy,  1889;  H.  Leemhuis,  1889;  Fred 
Flachtemeier,  1889;  C.  F.  Franz,  1891;  J.  F.  Burns,  1891;  N.  B.  Loos,  1891; 
C.  F.  Franz,  1893;  J.  E.  Frisbie,  1893;  O.  P.  Wright,  1893;  G.  M.  Holbrook, 
1895;  W.  T.  Rockey,  1895;  C.  F.  Franz,  1895;  J.  F.  Burns,  1897;  W.  M.  Brown, 
1897;  Louis  McGovern,  1897;  J.  F.  Burns,  1899;  Louis  Bauscher,  1899;  Louis 
McGovern,  1899;  P.  J.  Lonergan,  1901 ;  Louis  McGovern,  1901 ;  Julius  Wagner, 
1901;  C.  G.  McCarty,  1903;  Louis  McGovern,  1903;  Julius  Wagner,  1903; 
Louis  Bauscher,  1905 ;  Louis  McGovern,  1905 ;  P.  J.  Lonergan,  1905 ;  Louis 
Bauscher,  1907;  Louis  McGovern,  1907;  P.  J.  Lonergan,  1907;  John  W.  Daniels, 
1909;  G.  Benj.  Winter,  1909;  P.  J.  Lonergan,  1909. 

City  Attorneys. 

John  A.  Jameson,  1855;  H.  N.  Hibbard,  1856;  H.  N.  Hibbard,  1857;  J.  Bright 
Smith,  1858;  J.  Bright  Smith,  1859;  Henry  C.  Hyde,  1860 ;  Jas.  S.  Cochran, 
1861 ;  John  C.  Kean,  1862;  John  C.  Kean,  1863;  John  C.  Kean,  1864;  F.  W.  S. 
Brawley,  1865;  John  Coates,  1866;  H.  M.  Barnum,  1867;  Thos.  F.  Goodhue, 
1868;  Thos.  F.  Goodhue,  1869;  Thos.  F.  Goodhue,  1870;  Thos.  F.  Goodhue, 
1871:  T.  T.  Abrams,  1872;  John  C.  Kean,  1873;  John  c-  Kean,  1874;  John  C. 
Kean.  1875;  John  C.  Kean,  1876;  O.  C.  Lathrop,  1877;  John  C.  Kean,  1878;  John 
C.  Kean,  1879;  J.  H.  Stearns,  1880;  John  C.  Kean,  1881 ;  John  C.  Kean,  1882; 
P.  J.  Geib,  1883 ;  John  C.  Kean,  1885 ;  John  C.  Kean,  1887 ;  John  C.  Kean,  1889 ;  M. 
Marvin,  1891;  M.  Marvin,  1893;  P.  J.  Geib,  1895;  R.  B.  Mitchell,  1897;  R.  B. 
Mitchell,  1899 ;  Bruce  Mitchell,  1901 ;  Bruce  Mitchell,  1903 ;  Bruce  Mitchell, 
1905;  Bruce  Mitchell,  1907;  Bruce  Mitchell,  1909. 

City  Clerks. 

H.  N.  Hibbard,  1855;  H.  N.  Hibbard,  1856;  H.  N.  Hibbard,  1857;  J.  Bright 
Smith,  1858;  J.  Bright  Smith,  1859;  L.  F.  Burrell,  1860;  L.  F.  Burrell,  1861 ;  L. 


576  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

F.  Burrell,  1862;  Frank  Corbin,  1863;  J.  E.  Brown,  1864;  Joseph  B.  Smith,  1865; 
Joseph  B.  Smith,  1866;  U.  M.  Mayer,  1867;  Joseph  B.  Smith,  1868;  James 
Durst,  1869;  F.  B.  Malburn,  1870;  F.  B.  Malburn,  1871;  F.  B.  Malburn,  1872; 
Wm.  Trembor,  1873;  Wm.  Trembor,  1874;  Wm.  Trembor,  1875;  Wm.  Trembor, 
1876;  Wm.  Trembor,  1877;  Wm.  Trembor,  1878;  Wm.  Trembor,  1879;  H.  C. 
Hutchinson,  1880;  W.  C.  Clark,  1881 ;  W.  C.  Clark,  1882;  W.  C.  Clark,  1883; 
W.  C.  Clark,  1885;  W.  C.  Clark,  1887;  T.  D.  Osborne,  1889;  T.  D.  Osborne, 
1891 ;  G.  H.  Tandy,  1893;  G.  H.  Tandy,  1895;  G.  H.  Tandy,  1897;  G.  H.  Tandy, 
1899;  G.  H.  Tandy,  1901;  G.  H.  Tandy,  1903;  .Wm.  Waterstradt,  1905;  Wm. 
Waterstradt,  1907;  Chas.  W.  Peight,  1909. 

City  Treasurers. 

E.  W.  Salisbury,  1855;  Oscar  Taylor,  1856;  Oscar  Taylor,  1857;  Geo.  J. 
Brewer,  1858;  Silas  D.  Clark,  1858;  Fred  Bartlett,  1859;  B.  F.  Black,  1860;  W. 
W.  Smith,  1861;  M.  D.  Chamberlin,  1862;  C.  L.  Currier,  1863;  Thomas  Web- 
ster, 1864;  John  Hoebel,  1865;  Geo.  Lichtenberger,  1866;  C.  W.  Rosebrugh,  1867; 
Philip  Arno,  1868;  C.  W.  Rosebrugh,  1869;  C.  W.  Rosebrugh,  1870;  W.  H. 
Wagner,  1871;  C.  Trepus,  1872;  C.  Trepus,  1873;  D.  B.  Schulte,  1874;  Horace 
Meigs,  1875;  Horace  Meigs,  1876;  Jacob  Molter,  1877;  Jacob  Molter,  1878; 
Henry  Ratz,  1879 ;  D.  B.  Breed,  1880 ;  D.  B.  Breed,  1881 ;  F.  C.  Held,  1882 ;  F. 
C.  Held,  1883;  George  M.  Lowis,  1885;  Richard  R.  Hughes,  1887;  Frank  Het- 
tinger,  1889;  Geo.  W.  Graham,  1891;  John  Tappe,  1893;  Henry  Ratz,  1895;  G. 
G.  Hoffman,  1897;  Jerry  Riordan,  1899;  John  Dejongh,  1901 ;  Harry  C.  Knauff, 
1903;  James  O'Rourke,  1905;  James  O'Rourke,  1907;  Edward  Wagner,  1909. 

City  Marshals. 

W.  W.  Smith,  1855;  W.  W.  Smith,  1856;  W.  W.  Smtih,  1857;  John  R. 
Edick,  1858;  Henry  Settley,  1859;  David  C.  Laird,  1860;  John  H.  Mease,  1861 ; 
Isaiah  G.  Bedee,  1862;  Jacob  C.  Gilbert,  1863;  Jacob  C.  Gilbert,  1864;  Chas. 
Baumgarten,  1865;  F.  R.  McLaughlin,  1866;  F.  R.  McLaughlin,  1867;  Charles 
Rohkar,  1868;  J.  B.  Shirk,  1869;  J.  B.  Shirk,  1870;  Geo.  J.  Lamb,  1871;  E.  W. 
R.  Dreyer,  1872;  E.  W.  R.  Dreyer,  1873;  E.  W.  R.  Dreyer,  1874;  E.  W.  R. 
Dreyer,  1875;  E.  W.  R.  Dreyer,  1876;  E.  W.  R.  Dreyer,  1877;  E.  W.  R.  Dreyer, 
1878;  Eli  S.  Chamberlin,  1879;  Eli  S.  Chamberlin,  1880;  Eli  S.  Chamberlin,  1881 ; 
Eli  S.  Chamberlin,  1882. 

City  Mcerslwls — Appointed. 

J.  W.  Sanderson,  1883;  J.  W.  Sanderson,  1884;  Eli  S.  Chamberlin,  1885-87; 
Eli  S.  Chamberlin,  1887;  C.  J.  Dittmar,  1889;  C.  J.  Dittmar,  1891;  B.  F.  Bru- 
baker,  1895;  Wm.  Root,  1895;  Wm.  Root,  1897;  Wm.  Root,  1899;  Charles  W. 
Hall,  1901;  John  J.  Sweeney,  1903;  John  J.  Sweeney,  1905;  Henry  Silk,  1907; 
Chas.  W.  Hall,  1909. 

City  Surveyors. 

No  surveyor  elected,  1855  >  no  surveyor  elected,  1856;  Ludwick  Stanton,  1857; 
Marcus  Carter,  1858;  Marcus  Carter,  1859;  Wm.  O.  Saxton,  1860;  Wm.  O. 
Saxton,  1861 ;  Marcus  Carter,  1862;  Chas.  Baumgarten,  1863;  Chas.  Baumgar- 


FUKI)    C.    HELD 


LibRARY 
OF  THE 

Of  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  577 

ten,  1864;  Marcus  Carter,  1865;  Marcus  Carter,  1866;  Ludwick  Stanton,  1867; 
Marcus  Carter,  1868;  Chas.  Baumgarten,  1869;  C.  T.  Dunham,  1870;  Chas.  Baum- 
garten,  1871;  Chas.  Baumgarten,  1872;  Chas.  Baumgarten,  1873;  Chas.  Baum- 
garten, 1874;  F.  E.  Josel,  1875;  F.  E.  Josel,  1876;  Ludwick  Stanton,  1877;  F.  E. 
Josel,  1878;  F.  E.  Josel,  1879;  F.  E.  Josel,  1880;  F.  E.  Josel,  1881 ;  F.  E.  Josel, 
1882. 

City  Engineers — Appointed. 

F.  E.  Josel,  1883;  F.  E.  Josel,  1884;  F.  E.  Josel,  1885-87;  F.  E.  Josel,  1887; 
F.  E.  Josel,  1889;  Arthur  Lagron,  1891;  Arthur  Lagron,  1893;  Arthur  Lagron, 
1895;  F.  E.  Josel,  1897;  George  Graham,  1899;  George  Graham,  1901;  George 
Graham,  1903 ;  George  Graham,  1905 ;  George  Graham,  1907 ;  John  A.  R.  Daniels, 
1909. 

Street  Commissioners. 

W.  W.  Smith,  1855;  W.  W.  Smith,  for  ist  Ward,  1856;  R.  McMasters,  for 
2d  Ward,  1856;  Edwin  R.  Ross,  for  3d  Ward,  1856;  John  P.  Byerly,  1857; 
Henry  Settley,  1858;  Henry  Settley,  1859;  B.  Wasserzieher,  1860;  B.  Wasser- 
zieher,  1861 ;  B.  Kuenkemeier,  1862;  B.  Wasserzieher,  1863;  August  Bergman, 
1864;  P.  E.  Fowler,  1865;  Henry  D.  Rodearmel,  1865;  Henry  D.  Rodearmel, 
1866;  Henry  D.  Rodearmel,  1867;  Edwin  McLaughlin,  1868;  Edwin  McLaughlin, 
1869;  Edwin  McLaughlin,  1870;  James  Darrah,  1871;  James  Darrah,  1872; 
James  Darrah,  1873;  James  Darrah,  1874;  James  Darrah,  1875;  William  Ascher, 
1876;  Adolph  Boedeker,  1877;  J.  S.  Rogers,  1878;  J.  S.  Rogers,  1879;  B-  Huen- 
kemeier,  1880;  Wm.  A.  Knipschild,  1881 ;  B.  Huenkemeier,  1882. 

Superintendent  of  Streets — Appointed. 

A.  H.  Altemeier,  1883;  A.  H.  Altemeier,  1884;  H.  F.  Hanke,  1885-87;  H.  F. 
Hanke,  1887;  Wm.  Ascher,  1889;  M.  T.  Steffen,  1891;  Conrad  Toelle,  1893; 
A.  H.  Altemeier,  1895;  M.  Scanlan,  1897;  A.  H.  Altemeier,  1899;  John  H.  Place, 
1909. 

Police  Magistrate. 

Luther  W.  Guiteau,  1855;  Horatio  C.  Burchard,  1857;  David  Seem,  1859; 
A.  T.  Green,  1863;  Abraham  Braisted,  1866;  George  Wolf,  1867;  Abraham  Brais- 
ted,  1870;  E.  P.  Hodges,  1871;  Leonard  Stoskopf,  1874;  J.  R.  Wagner,  1878;  J. 
R.  Wagner,  1882;  A.  R.  Dubs,  1886;  S.  R.  Dubs,  1889;  S.  R.  Dubs,  1891 ;  S.  R. 
Dubs,  1893;  S.  R.  Dubs,  1895;  Marcus  Lane,  1897;  Marcus  Lane,  1899;  Mar- 
cus Lane,  1901 ;  Charles  J.  Bentley,  1903 ;  Charles  J.  Bentley,  1905 ;  Charles  J. 
Bentley,  1907;  Charles  J.  Bentley,  1909. 

GENERAL    LODGE    DIRECTORY. 

There  are  at  present  in  Freeport  as  many  as  seventy-six  different  social, 
fraternal,  and  secret  organizations,  a  list  of  which  is  hereby  appended.  Twelve 
of  these  are  Masonic,  and  six  are  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
Three  are  connected  with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  a  number  of 
them  are  church  societies.  The  following  constitute  the  list,  the  names  of  of- 
ficers together  with  the  place  and  time  of  meeting  being  in  each  case  given : 


578  .  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Excelsior  Lodge  No.  97.  Officers:  Roy  Burkhart,  W.  M.; 
C.  C.  Wolf,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Fridays.  Place,  Masonic  Temple. 

A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Evergreen  Lodge  No.  i7o.  Officers:  Timothy  Stultz,  W.  M. ; 
W.  N.  Cronkrite,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Mondays.  Place,  Masonic 
Temple. 

A.  O.  U.  W.,  Wilhelm  Wagner  Lodge  No.  250.    Meeting,  Thursdays.    Place, 
103  Stephenson  street. 

American  Order  of  Owls.,  Freeport  Nest  No.  78.  Officers:  A.  F.  Dittman, 
president ;  J.  E.  Stewart,  secretary.  Place  of  meeting,  Seitz  hall. 

Anchors.    Officers:  John  Bauscher,  Jr.,  president;  Charles  Meyer,  secretary. 

B.  P.  O.  E.,  Freeport  Lodge  No.  617.    Officers :  W.  G.  Krappe,  E.  R. ;  J.  W. 
Clark,  secretary.     Meeting,  first  and  third  Thursday.     Place,   133   Stephenson 
street. 

Consistory,  Freeport  Lodge  of  Perfection.  Officers :  L.  L.  Munn,  Jr.,  T.  P. 
G.  M.;  W.  B.  Erfert,  secretary.  Meeting,  second  Wednesday.  Place,  Masonic 
Temple. 

Consistory,  Freeport  Council  Princes  of  Jerusalem.  Officers :  L.  H.  Burrell, 
M.  E.  S.  P.  G.  M. ;  W.  B.  Erfert,  secretary.  Meeting,  subject  to  call.  Place, 
Masonic  Temple. 

Consistory,  Freeport  Chapter  Rose  Croix.  Officers:  W.  C.  Jencks,  P.  M.; 
W.  B.  Erfert,  secretary.  Meeting,  subject  to  call.  Place,  Masonic  Temple. 

Consistory,  Freeport  Consistory  S.  P.  R.  S.  Officers:  R.  D.  Kuehner,  com- 
mander in  chief ;  W.  B.  Erfert,  secretary.  Meeting  place,  Masonic  Temple. 

Court  of  Honor,  Freeport  Court  No.  71.  Meeting,  second  and  fourth  Thurs- 
day. Place,  K.  of  P.  hall. 

Catholic  Knights  of  Illinois.  Officers :  Fred  Rodemeyer,  president ;  E.  A. 
Blust,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  Sunday.  Place,  St.  Pius  hall. 

Democratic  Club.  President,  H.  B.  Witte;  secretary,  Herman  Straub.  Meet- 
ing place  in  Best  building,  Stephenson  and  Chicago  streets. 

Dramatic  Order  Knights  of  Khoraissan,  Husn  Temple  No.  108.  Officers: 
E.  I.  Rubendall,  R.  V. ;  J.  C.  James,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  Thursday.  Place, 
K.  of  P.  hall. 

Equitable  Fraternal  Union.  Officers:  President,  H.  J.  Keith;  secretary,  John 
A.  Meyer.  Meets  second  and  fourth  Wednesdays.  Place,  K.  of  P.  hall. 

Encampment,  Western  Star  No.  25,  I.  0.  0.  F.  Officers :  Al.  Linder,  C.  P. ; 
E.  S.  Auman,  scribe.  Meeting,  second  and  fourth  Tuesday.  Place,  Odd  Fel- 
lows' hall. 

Fraternal  Tribunes,  Lodge  No.  op.  Officers':  F.  H.  Randall,  C.  tribune;  M. 
E.  Tenney,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Thursdays.  Place,  Odd  Fellows' 
hall. 

Freeport  Saengerbund.  Meeting,  Fridays.  Place,  Germania  hall. 

Freeport  Club.  Officers:  L.  Z.  Farwell,  president;  W.  G.  Krape  .secretary. 
Place  of  meeting,  268  Stephenson  street. 

The  Freeport  Shakespeare  Society.  Meeting  every  Monday  night.  Officers : 
Miss  Louise  Morgan,  president;  Miss  Margaret  Gund,  secretary. 

G.  A.  R.,  John  A.  Davis  Post  No.  98.  Officers:  Fred.  C.  Held,  commander; 
John  Rotzler,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Tuesdays.  Place,  city  hall. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  579 

I.  0.  M.  A.,  Free  port  Lodge  No.  50.  Meeting,  Friday.  Place,  107  Stephen- 
son  street. 

/.  0.  0.  F.,  Freeport  Lodge  No.  239,  I.  O.  O.  F.  Geo.  Foss,  N.  G. ;  Al. 
Dittman,  secretary.  Meetings,  every  Monday.  Place,  Odd  Fellows'  hall. 

I.  0.  O.  F.,  Wiwneshiek  Lodge  No.  30.  Officers:  Noble  grand,  W.  F.  Al- 
temeier ;  V.  grand,  E.  L.  Yoder ;  secretary,  Henry  Brinkman ;  financial  secretary, 
Frank  B.  Koenig.  Meetings,  Wednesday.  Pkce,  Odd  Fellows'  hall. 

/.  0.  0.  F.,  Stephen  A.  Douglas  Encampment  No.  100.  Officers :  C.  P.  Al- 
len Janssen;  Chas.  Meyer,  high  priest;  A.  F.  Dittman,  secretary.  Meeting,  sec- 
ond and  fourth  Friday.  Place,  Odd  Fellows'  hall. 

/.  0.  0.  F.,  Illinois  Lodge  No.  259,  Rebekah  Degree.  Officers:  Anna  Jack- 
son, N.  grand;  A.  Roberts,  recording  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Satur- 
days. Place,  Odd  Fellows'  hall. 

/.  O.  0.  F.,  Stephenson  Lodge  No.  61.  Meeting,  Mondays.  Place,  107 
Stephenson  street. 

/.  0.  O.  F.,  Canton  Unity.  Officers :  Captain,  E.  L.  Yoder ;  lieutenant,  John 
Bricker;  secretary,  John  Sharpies. 

The  Homesteaders,  No.  257.  Officers :  President,  Alvin  Ulrich ;  secretary, 
J.  P.  Scanlon.  Place  of  meeting,  K.  of  P.  hall  first  and  third  Friday. 

G.  A.  R.,  John  A.  Davis,  W.  R.  C.  No.  44.  Officers:  Therese  Otto,  president. 
Meeting,  first  and  third  Tuesday  afternoons.  Place,  city  hall. 

G.  A.  R.,  Ladies  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  John  Brown  Taylor  Circle.  Officers:  Mrs. 
T.  M.  Kaufman,  president;  Mrs.  J.  A.  Gale,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third 
Wednesday  afternoons.  Place,  city  hall. 

Germania  Society.  Officers:  Chas.  G.  Steffen,  president;  E.  P.  Ohden,  sec- 
retary. Meeting,  first  Wednesday.  Place,  Germania  hall. 

German  Benevolent  Society.  Meeting,  second  Wednesday.  Place,  Germania 
hall. 

German  Lutheran  Benevolent  Society.  Meeting,  second  Sunday.  Place,  Ger- 
man Lutheran  church. 

Home  Fraternal  League.  Officers:  A.  J.  Robson,  president;  Maud  L.  Bow- 
ers, secretary.  Meeting,  second  and  fourth  Thursday.  Place,  K.  of  P.  hall. 

Home  Guardians  of  America,  No  28.  Meeting,  second  and  fourth  Thurs- 
day. Place,  109  Stephenson  street. 

/.  0.  F.,  Court  Mohawk,  No.  3/07.  Officers:  W.  C.  Rubendall,  chief  ranger; 
Al.  Luebbing,  recording  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Tuesday.  Place, 
K.  of  P.  hall. 

/.  O.  M.  A.,  Brueder  Lodge  No.  149.  Meeting,  Tuesday.  Place,  107  Stephen- 
son  street. 

Improved  Order  of  Redmen,  IVinneshiek  Wigivam  No.  345.  Officers :  R.  D. 
Kuehner,  sachem ;  F.  J.  O'Rourk,  C.  of  R.  Place  of  meeting,  Odd  Fellows'  hall. 

Immanuel  Ladies'  Society.  Meeting,  fourth  Wednesday.  Place,  German 
Lutheran  church. 

/.  0.  0.  F.,  Busy  Bee  Lodge  No.  138,  Rebekah  Degree.  Officerss  Mrs. 
A.  B.  Haney,  N.  G. ;  Mrs.  Ida  Howell,  secretary.  Meets  second  and  fourth 
Saturday.  Place,  Odd  Fellows'  hall. 


580  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Knights  of  Pythias,  Freeport  Lodge  No.  452.  Officers:  A.  O.  Hart,  C.  C. ; 
Frank  J.  Becker,  K.  of  R.  and  S.  Meeting,  every  Monday,  8  P.  M.,  125  Stephen- 
son  street. 

Knights  and  Ladies  of  Honor,  Germania  Lodge  No.  1544.  Officers :  Fred. 
Rosemeier,  Cf .  Proc. ;  F.  P.  Ohden,  secretary.  Meeting,  second  fourth  Tues- 
days. Place,  98  Stephenson  street. 

K.  T.,  Freeport  Commandery  No.  7.  Officers :  Fred  S.  Albright,  E.  C. ;  C.  C. 
Wolf,  recorder.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Wednesdays.  Place,  Masonic  Temple. 

Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Thursday.  Place, 
in  Stephenson  street. 

K.  0.  T.  M.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Saturday.  Place,  in  Stephenson 
street. 

Knights  of  Columbus,  Freeport  Council  No.  653.  Officers:  John  Manion, 
Gr.  Kt. ;  John  Peck,  recording  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Tuesday. 
Place,  75  Chicago  street. 

Loyal'Order  Moose.  Officers:  J.  Bauscher,  Diet.;  J.  H.  Stewart,  secretary. 
Meets  first  and  third  Friday.  Place,  Odd  Fellows'  hall. 

M.  E.  O.  A.  C.,  Royal  Palace  No.  2,  Most  Excellent  Chaldean.  Officers: 
F.  F.  Rogers,  king;  C.  C.  Wolf,  secretary.  Meeting,  subject  to  call.  Place, 
Masonic  Temple. 

Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Cherry  Camp  No.  64.  Officers :  Tory  John- 
son, V.  C. ;  John  De  Jongh,  clerk.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Wednesday.  Place, 
Seitz  hall. 

Mutual  Order  Protection,  Stephenson  Lodge  No.  192.  Officers :  John 
Bauscher,  Jr.,  president;  Fred.  Schumayer,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third 
Thursday.  Place,  Fry  building. 

Mystic  Workers,  Freeport  Lodge  No.  51,  M.  W.  O.  Officers:  J.  H.  Bam- 
berger,  prefect;  Charles  Peight,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Wednesday. 
Place,  152  Stephenson  street. 

National  Protective  Legion,  Geo.  Washington  Legion  No.  2,038.  Officers : 
President,  R.  G.  Weir;  secretary,  H.  O.  Price.  Meets  second  and  fourth  Tues- 
days. Place,  K.  of  P.  hall. 

O.  E.  S.,  Freeport  Chapter  No.  303.  Officers :  Amelia  Miller,  W.  M. ;  Mrs. 
Rebecca  Stiver,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Thursdays.  Place,  Masonic 
Temple. 

Order  of  Eagles,  Aerie  No.  679.  Officers:  Henry  Kirchhaefer,  president; 
J.  D.  Lilly,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Thursday.  Place,  Seitz  hall. 

Red  Devils.  Officers :  Charles  Schmelzle,  president ;  Emil  Molter,  secretary- 
treasurer.  Meets  Monday  evenings  at  Germania  hall. 

R.  A.  M.,  Freeport  Chapter  No.  23.  Officers:  J.  M.  Munn,  H.  P.;  C.  C. 
Wolf,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Tuesdays.  Place,  Masonic  Temple. 

R  &•  S.  M.,  Freeport  Council  No.  39.  Officers :  Chas.  F.  Knecht,  T.  I.  M. ; 
C.  C.  Wolf,  recorder.  Meeting,  second  and  fourth  Tuesday.  Place,  Masonic 
Temple. 

R.  N.  A.,  Cherry  Blossom  Camp  No.  260.  Officers  are:  Mrs.  Frances  Ohlen- 
dorf,  oracle;  Mrs.  Alvina  Taylor,  recorder.  Meeting,  second  and  fourth 
Wednesdays.  Place,  Seitz  hall. 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  581 

Royal  Arcanum,  Stephenson  Court  No.  1986.  Officers :  Jesse  H.  Patterson, 
regent;  B.  A.  Bookman,  secretary.  Place,  152  Stephenson  street. 

R.  N.  A.,  Freeport  Camp.  Officers:  Mrs.  Ida  Mernitz,  oracle;  Louisa  Cam- 
erer,  recorder. 

Sons  of  Veterans  Auxiliary,  Smith  D.  Atkins'  Camp,  Lodge  No.  27.  Officers : 
Maud  L.  Bowers,  president ;  Nellie  Altenbern,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third 
Friday.  Place,  G.  A.  R.  hall. 

Stars  of  Equity,  Freeport  Assembly  No.  i.  LeRoy  Lattig,  president ;  J.  N. 
Wagner,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Tuesday.  Place,  127  Stephenson 
street. 

St.  Joseph  Society.  John  Eberly,  president.  Meeting,  last  Sunday.  Place, 
St.  Pius  hall. 

St.  Pius  Society.  Officers:  E.  A.  Blust,  president;  Louis  Balles,  secretary. 
Meeting,  third  Sunday.  Place,  St.  Pius  hall. 

Spanish- American  War  Veterans.  Officers:  William  Shouer,  commander; 
Emerson  Cross,  adjutant. 

Sons  of  Veterans,  Smith  D.  Atkins  Camp  No.  400.  Officers:  G.  F.  Korff, 
c. ;  Ray  Williams,  secretary.  Meets  second  and  fourth  Tuesdays.  Place,  G. 
A.  R.  hall. 

Tribe  of  Ben  Hur,  Stephenson  Court  No.  412.  Officers :  Albert  E.  Drews, 
chief ;  Mrs.  A.  Rieger,  scribe. 

U.  C.  T.,  Freeport  Council  No.  157.  Officers :  E.  L.  Hoile,  Sen.  C. ;  J.  W. 
Benston,  secretary.  Meeting,  first  and  third  Saturday. 

Volksverein.     Meeting,  second  Sunday.     Place,  St.  Pius  hall. 
IV.  S.  of  J.,  Capernaum  Shrine  No.  4..   Officers:  Miss  Alena  Hall,  W.  H.  P.; 
Mrs.  Loveall,  secretary.     Meeting,  fourth  Thursday  each  month.     Place,  Ma- 
sonic Temple. 

W.  C.  0.  F.,  St.  Mary's  Court.  Officers :  Mrs.  A.  F.  Lichtenberger,  C.  R. ; 
Mrs.  M.  G.  Kleckner,  secretary.  Meeting,  second  and  fourth  Thursdays.  Place, 
St.  Mary's  hall. 

Western  Catholic  Union.  Officers :  Jacob  Schadle,  president ;  Joseph  Schramm, 
secretary.  Meeting,  second  Sunday.  Place,  St.  Pius  hall. 

Women's  Club.  Officers:  Mrs.  George  I.  Brown,  president;  Mrs.  H.  W. 
Rowley,  secretary.  Meeting,  Saturdays  3  P.  M.  Place,  Masonic  Temple. 

White  Cross.  Officers :  Fred  Albright,  commander ;  Lillian  Albright,  secre- 
tary. Meeting,  second  and  fourth  Thursday.  Place,  Globe  hall. 

Yeomen  of  America.  Officers:  W.  J.  Burdick,  president;  Mrs.  A.  J.  O'Neill, 
secretary.  Meeting,  second  and  fourth  Tuesday.  Place,  Seitz  hall. 

The  city  of  Freeport  is  known  throughout  the  land  in  Masonic  circles  as  the 
home  of  some  of  the  most  progressive  and  prosperous  of  the  lodges  of  that 
fraternity.  It  is  one  of  the  three  cities  in  the  state  which  possess  chapters  of  the 
Consistory,  S.  P.  R.  S.,  the  others  being  Chicago  and  Peoria.  The  first  Masonic 
lodge  was  organized  in  Freeport  less  than  fifteen  years  after  the  city  itself  was 
founded,  less  than  fifteen  years  after  a  single  log  cabin  marked  the  site  where 
a  flourishing  town  was  soon  to  arise,  and  thus  the  history  of  Masonry  in  Free- 
port  has  been  coincident  with  and  parallel  to  the  history  of  the  city's  growth  and 
progress. 


582  HISTORY  OF  STEPHEN  SON  COUNTY 

A  feature  of  Masonry  in  Freeport  which  has  served  to  exalt  the  local  chap- 
ters above  those  of  the  surrounding  cities  has  been  the  number  of  distinguished 
names  connected  with  the  Freeport  organizations.  A  large  number  of  Free- 
port  Masons  have  been  actively  connected  with  the  work  of  the  grand  bodies 
in  the  state  and  districts.  Among  them  have  been  many  of  Freeport's  most  prom- 
inent citizens,  such  as  Thomas  J.  Turner,  N.  F.  Prentice,  Loyal  L.  Munn,  Jacob 
Krphn,  and  M.  D.  Chamberlain.  The  leaders  in  the  local  work  have  also  been 
Freeport's  most  distinguished  men,  such  as  R.  D.  Kuehner,  O.  E.  Heard,  J.  F. 
Fair,  W.  S.  Best,  C.  C.  Wolf,  Michael  Stoskopf,  and  W.  N.  Cronkrite. 

Sixty  years  ago  the  first  lodge  was  organized  in  Freeport.  At  first  meetings 
were  held  in  Fisher's  building  on  the  corner  of  Galena  street  and  South  Galena 
avenue  (then  Exchange 'street).  There  they  remained  for  some  time  and  then 
removed  to  rooms  over,  the  Stephenson  County  Bank,  which  was  then  doing 
business  on  the  corner  of  Stephenson  and  Chicago  streets.  From  there  they 
made  a  third  move  to  rooms  in  the  next  building  over  Cronkrite's  store.  After 
a  brief  sojourn  here  they  transferred  their  place  of  meeting  to  Munn's  building 
and  thence  to  the  Fry's  Block  Hall,  where  they  remained  for  many  years. 

As  early  as  1896  there  was  serious  talk  of  building  a  Masonic  temple.  The 
Masons  of  Freeport  had  long  felt  that  their  importance  in  the  city  and  state  war- 
ranted building  a  temple  where  they  could  suitably  accommodate  their  societies. 
Plans  were  even  drawn  up  and  estimates  of  the  probable  cost  made,  but  these 
were  all  dropped  and  the  structure  which  was  finally  built  eight  years  later  was 
very  different  from  the  one  originally  contemplated.  In  1904  it  was  thought  best 
to  take  some  definite  action  on  the  subject,  and  accordingly  the  consistory  voted 
to  take  action  preparatory  to  building  a  temple.  They  organized  themselves  into 
a  separate  corporation,  four  hundred  strong,  and  four  hundred  $100  bonds  were 
issued,  each  member  buying  one.  These  bonds  called  for  interest  at  three  per 
cent  and  were  made  payable  at  the  death  of  the  owner.  This  ingenious  arrangement 
provided  for  the  payment  of  the  annual  dues  of  the  members  of  the  consistory 
for  their  lifetime.  Ultimately  more  than  four  hundred  bonds  were  issued,  and 
the  membership  of  the  consistory  swelled  appreciably.  After  taking  the  prelimi- 
nary steps,  a  building  committee  had  been  appointed,  consisting  of  W.  N. 
Cronkrite,  L.  H.  Burrell,  J.  F.  Fair,  O.  E.  Heard,  and  R.  D.  Kuehner,  and  these 
five  began  their  work  with  a  will.  The  Masonic  Temple  was  started  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1904,  completed  by  the  end  of  the  next  year,  1905,  and  formally  opened 
to  the  public  on  Thursday  the  25th  of  January,  1906.  On  that  day  a  public  re- 
ception was  held  and  the  friends  of  the  lodge  members  were  cordially  invited 
to  enter  and  inspect  the  spacious  halls  of  the  temple.  The  building  when  com- 
pleted, had  cost  nearly  $60,000. 

On  Friday,  January  26th,  1906,  the  next  day  after  the  reception,  the  first 
lodge  meeting  was  held  in  the  new  temple  of  Excelsior  Lodge.  On  that  occasion 
a  past  master's  night  was  held,  and  all  past  masters  of  the  lodge  were  present  and 
assisted  in  the  ceremonies  of  initiation  to  the  third  degree.  The  active  officers 
on  that  memorable  occasion  were:  C.  C.  Wolf,  master;  Charles  Green,  senior 
warden;  W.  H.  Irwin,  junior  warden.  The  temple  has  been  in  use  since  that 
date,  and  has  been  occupied  by  the  twelve  Masonic  lodges  at  present  existent  in 
Freeport. 


COMPANY  L,  ILLINOIS  NATIONAL   GUARD.  FREEI'ORT 


KIOTI'KN  OF   SOLDIERS   FROM   SPANISH-AMERICAN    WAR 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UN..UU.UY  OF  ILLINOIS 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  583 

Excelsior  Lodge,  No.  97.  This  was  the  first  Masonic  lodge  organized  in 
Freeport.  It  was  established  in  1850,  and  the  first  meeting  held  on  February 
22nd  of  that  year.  No  charter  was  granted  at  that  time  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  state,  the  work  being  carried  on  through  a  dispensation  of  the  grand  master 
of  the  state.  The  following  Freeporters,  Erastus  Torry,  Julius  Smith,  Thomas 
J.  Turner,  Gershom  Rice,  and  Oscar  Taylor,  were  present  at  the  first  meet- 
ing, together  with  S.  B.  Farwell,  John  Jackson,  and  S.  H.  Fitger,  visiting  masons. 
On  November  6,  1851,  a  charter  was  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state, 
and  the  society  ceased  to  work  under  special  dispensation.  On  January  8,  1852, 
the  first  officers  were  installed  under  the  charter,  as  follows:  Julius  Smith,  W. 
M.;  T.  J.  Turner,  S.  W.;  Oscar  Taylor,  J.  W. ;  J.  A.  W.  Donahoo,  treasurer; 
A.  W.  Rawson,  secretary ;  William  Scott,  S.  D. ;  Reuben  Ruble,  J.  D. ;  James 
Wright,  steward  and  Giles  Taylor,  tiler. 

Immediately  upon  its  organization,  Excelsior  Lodge  made  rapid  strides,  and 
to  its  success  must  be  attributed  the  subsequent  organization  of  two  other  lodges, 
Evergreen,  and  the  Moses  R.  Thompson  Lodge.  At  the  present  time,  there  are 
only  two  lodges  in  existence,  the  Moses  R.  Thompson  Lodge  having  consolidated 
with  Excelsior  Lodge  in  January,  1890.  Excelsior  Lodge  numbers  three  hun- 
dred and  sixty-two  members  at  present.  The  officials  for  the  current  years  are: 
Roy  Burkhary,  W.  M.,  and  C.  C.  Wolf,  secretary.  The  lodge  meets  the  first  and 
third  Fridays  of  the  month  in  its  room  in  the  Masonic  Temple. 

Evergreen  Lodge  No.  170.  Evergreen  Lodge  was  organized  in  April,  1855, 
under  a  dispensation  granted  by  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master  of  Illinois  to  the 
following  Masons :  A.  T.  Green,  H.  R.  Wheeler,  Charles  Butler,  Erastus  Torry, 
James  F.  Kingsley,  William  Swanzey,  J.  F.  Ankeney,  E.  W.  Schumway,  and  G. 
G.  Norton.  The  first  meeting  was  convened  in  the  Masonic  Hall  on  the  corner 
of  Stephenson  and  Chicago  streets  on  the  evening  of  August  16,  1855.  During 
the  fifty-five  years  since  that  date,  meetings  have  continued  to  be  held  on  the 
first  and  third  Mondays  of  the  month.  The  charter  officers  elected  after  the 
granting  of  the  charter  a  short  time  later  were  J.  A.  W.  Donahoo,  W.  M.,  A.  T. 
Green,  S.  W. ;  J.  F.  Kingsley,  J.  W.;  H.  R.  Wheeler,  treasurer ;. Charles  Butler, 
secretary,  J.  Crow,  S.  D. ;  J.  Thomas,  J.  D. ;  and  J.  C.  Walton,  tiler. 

Evergreen  Lodge  now  has  a  membership  of  one  hundred  and  eighty.  The 
officers  at  present  are  Timothy  Stultz,  W.  M.,  and  W.  N.  Cronkrite,  secretary. 

Moses  R.  Thompson  Lodge,  No.  381.  The  first  meeting  of  Moses  R. 
Thompson  Lodge,  under  dispensation,  was  convened  at  Masonic  Hall  December 
31,  1862,  with  the  following  charter  members,  appointed  by  the  Grand  Master 
of  the  state :  Nathan  F.  Prentice,  Charles  L.  Currier,  L.  L.  Munn,  H.  H.  Taylor, 
G.  W.  Tandy,  Robert  Little,  E.  Moffatt,  J.  G.  Knapp,  W.  D.  V.  Johnson,  B.  F. 
Burnside,  S.  Lumbard,  Elijah  Northy,  and  W.  B.  Chatfield.  The  first  officers 
were  N.  F.  Prentice,  W.  M.;  L.  L.  Munn  and  Charles  L.  Currier,  senior  and 
junior  wardens. 

After  twenty-eight  years  of  existence,  Moses  R.  Thompson  Lodge  decided 
to  consolidate  with  Excelsior  Lodge.  While  the  membership  was  large  enough 
to  warrant  the  existence  of  two  strong  lodges,  it  could  not  support  three  lodges 
of  uniform  strength.  As  a  result,  Moses  R.  Thompson  Lodge  decided  to  dis- 
band, and  has  been  a  part  of  Excelsior  since  1890. 


584  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

Freeport  Chapter,  No.  23,  of  the  R.  A.  M.,  was  chartered  September  29,  1854, 
to  a  limited  number  of  members  with  A.  W.  Rawson,  high  priest,  Erastus  Torry, 
king,  arid  Julius  Smith,  scribe.  The  present  officers  are  J.  B.  Munn,  high  priest, 
and  C.  C.  Wolf,  scribe.  The  chapter  has  a  membership  of  about  two  hundred 
and  forty  and  meets  the  first  and  third  Tuesdays  of  the  month  in  the  temple. 

Freeport  Council  No.  jp,  of  the  R.  &  S.  M.,  was  organized  and  chartered 
,  with  a  membership  of  ,  and  the  following  as  first 

officers : 

It  meets  at  present  on  the  second  and  fourth  Tuesdays  of  the  month.  The 
officers  are :  Charles  F.  Knecht,  T.  I.  M. ;  C.  C.  Wolf,  recorder.  The  mem- 
bership at  the  present  time  is  one  hundred  and  ten. 

Freeport  Commandery  No.  1,  K.  T.,  was  organized  under  a  dispensation 
from  the  Grand  Encampment  of  the  United  States  on  August  19,  1857,  A.  O., 
739,  and  chartered  by  the  Grand  Encampment  two  years  later  at  its  triennial 
conclave  held  in  Chicago,  on  October  26,  1859,  A.  O.  741.  On  that  date  a 
perpetual  charter  was  granted  with  the  following  members :  Sirs  Moses  R. 
Thompson,  Homer  N.  Hibbard,  Loyal  L.  Munn,  Henry  H.  Taylor,  N.  F.  Prentice, 
Galon  G.  Norton,  James  F.  Kingsley,  H.  Richardson,  and  John  M.  Way.  Sir 
Moses  R.  Thompson  was  elected  the  first  eminent  commander. 

The  commandery  meets  the  first  and  third  Wednesdays  of  the  month  in  the 
temple.  The  present  officers  are  Ralph  T.  Ryan,  eminent  commander,  and  C. 
C.  Wolf,  recorder.  The  membership  is  two  hundred  and  thirty-four. 

Freeport  Consistory.  The  Freeport  Consistory,  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite,  was  established  at  Princeton,  Illinois,  and  was  removed  to  Freeport  on 
May  14,  1869.  It  has  been  the  most  active  Masonic  body  of  Freeport,  and  con- 
sists of  the  four  following  lodges : 

Grand  Lodge  of  Perfection,  which  meets  on  the  second  Wednesday  of  the 
month,  has  a  membership  of  over  six  hundred,  and  is  presided  over  by  L.  L. 
Munn,  Jr.,  as  T.  P.  G.  M. 

Freeport  Council  Princes  of  Jerusalem,  which  meets  at  call  of  the  M.  E. 
S.  P.  G.  M.,  Walter  C.  Jencks. 

Freeport  Chapter  Rose  Croix,  who  M.  W.  M.  is  W.  M.  Palmer,  and  which 
meets  at  the  call  of  the  officers. 

Freeport  Consistory,  of  which  L.  H.  Burrell  is  commander-in-chief.  The 
membership  of  the  consistory  is  604,  and  meetings  are  held  subject  to  the  call  of 
the  officers.  The  Freeport  Consistory  is  one  of  the  three  chapters  of  that  body 
located  in  the  state,  the  others  being  at  Chicago  and  Peoria. 

Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  Freeport  Chapter  No.  505,  was  established  in  the 
city  July  8,  1895,  and  has  a  present  membership  of  over  three  hundred.  The 
officers  are  Miss  Amelia  Miller,  worthy  matron;  J.  M.  Fox,  worthy  patron;  and 
Mrs.  Rebecca  M.  Stiver,  secretary.  Meetings  are  held  the  first  and  third  Thurs- 
days of  the  month. 

White  Shrine  of  Jerusalem,  Capernaum  Shrine  No.  4,  was  established  in  the 
summer  of  1904,  by  Mrs.  Pauline  K.  Dickes,  who  became  its  first  worthy  high 
priestees.  The  present  membership  of  Capernaum  Shrine  is  three  hundred,  about 
coincident  with  that  of  the  Eastern  Star.  The  present  officers  are  Miss  Alena 


HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  585 

Hall,  W.  H.  P.,  and  Mrs.  Etta  Loveall,  secretary.  The  Shrine  meets  on  the  fourth 
Thursday  of  the  month  at  the  Masonic  Temple. 

Most  Excellent  Order  of  Ancient  Chaldeans,  Royal  Palace  No.  2,  was  in- 
stituted in  July,  1907,  by  the  Imperial  Lodge  No.  I  of  Chicago,  who  were  the 
founders  of  the  order.  The  charter  members  at  the  time  of  founding  numbered 
eighty-seven.  This  number  has  since  increased  to  one  hundred  and  two.  The 
officers  of  the  Freeport  Royal  Palace  are:  T.  F.  Rogers,  king;  C.  C.  Wolf,  scribe. 
Meetings  are  subject  to  call  by  the  king. 

This  completes  the  list  of  Masonic  Lodges  in  Freeport.  The  Masonic  frater- 
nity has  always  taken  a  front  rank  stand  in  the  social  and  fraternal  circles  of 
the  city,  partly  because  of  its  long  standing  in  Freeport,  partly  because  it  has 
numbered  about  its  members  nearly  all  of  the  most  prominent  and  influential 
citizens  of  the  city.  Also  because  of  the  Masonic  Temple,  one  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful buildings  of  the  city  today,  architecturally  and  from  a  utilitarian  standpoint. 
The  mere  fact  that  the1  Masonic  Lodges  were  instrumental  in  the  erection  of 
this  pile  places  their  brothers  among  the  foremost  of  Freeport's  energetic  and 
patriotic  citizens.  The  property  owned  by  the  Masons  includes  the  temple  and 
lot  and  their  appurtenances  on  Stephenson  street  between  Walnut  and  Cherry. 
These  are  valued  at  about  $75,000. 

ODD   FELLOWS. 

There  are  eight  lodges  in  Freeport  connected  with  the  Independent  Order 
of  Od<d  Fellows.  These  are  the  Freeport  Lodge  No.  239,  the  Winneshiek  Lodge 
No.  30,  Stephen  A.  Douglas  Encampment  No.  100,  Stephenson  Lodge  No.  61, 
Canton  Unity  No.  3,  two  lodges  of  the  honorary  Rebekah  Degree,  Busy  Bee 
Lodge  No.  138,  and  Illinois  Lodge  No.  259,  and  Western  Star  Encampment  of 
Patriachs  No.  25. 

The  Odd  Fellows  have  always  played  an  important  role  in  the  fraternal  life 
of  Freeport.  The  Winneshiek  lodge,  the  first  one  to  be  instituted  in  the  city, 
was  founded  as  far  back  as  1847,  and  has  been  almost  part  and  parcel  of  the 
city  itself,  a  sharer  in  all  the  vicissitudes  of  the  latter's  growth.  The  other 
lodges  are  only  a  few  years  younger,  and  all  have  numbered  among  their  mem- 
bers some  of  Freeport's  most  prominent  citizens. 

The  origin  of  the  world  organization  of  Odd  Fellows  is  lost  in  obscurity. 
It  extends  back  beyond  the  fifth  century,  and  there  are  indications  that  the 
fraternity  existed  in  Spain  before  that  time.  In  Portugal  it  was  introduced  in 
the  sixth  century,  and  its  existence  in  France  dates  from  about  the  twelfth 
century.  From  France  it  was  carried  to  England,  and  the  American  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  is  an  outgrowth  of  English  Odd  Fellowship. 
In  1829,  in  a  room  of  the  Seven  Stars,  an  ancient  Baltimore  hostelry,  a  circle 
of  men  met  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  and  establishing  an  American  Odd 
Fellows'  society.  The  prime  mover  of  the  meeting  was  Thomas  Wildey,  the 
father  of  American  Odd  Fellowship,  and  the  outcome  of  the  meeting  was  the 
organization  of  Washington  Lodge  No.  i. 

Since  that  time,  only  eighty-one  years  ago,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  has  spread  throughout  every  state  of  the  Union,  and  has  its  lodges 


586  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

in  hundreds  of  cities,  villages  and  hamlets.  For  about  six  years  after  the  foun- 
dation in  Baltimore,  the  growth  of  the  order  was  only  gradual.  Then  it  took 
on  new  impetus  and  the  rapid  growth  since  that  date  has  never  for  a  moment 
been  checked.  In  1851  an  honorary  degree  of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  Daughters 
of  Rebekah,  was  instituted,  designed  to  promote  fraternal  relations  between 
the  wives  and  widows  of  Odd  Fellows. 

The  first  Illinois  lodge  was  established  at  Alton  on  August  u,  1836,  and 
christened  the  "Western  Star  No.  i."  Since  that  date  the  spread  of  the  or- 
ganization in  Illinois  has  been  rapid.  The  qualifications  for  admission  to  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  are  a  belief  in  the  Supreme  Creator,  sound  health,  good  character, 
and  an  honorable  trade.  The  members  bind  themselves  by  a  solemn  oath  to 
visit  the  sick,  relieve  the  distressed,  bury  the  dead,  care  for  the  widow,  and 
educate  the  orphan. 

Winneshiek  Lodge  No.  jo.  On  July  15,  1847,  when  the  city  of  Freeport  was 
a  mere  handful  of  houses  and  stores,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois  granted  a 
charter  for  the  organization  of  a  lodge  in  Freeport  to  be  known  as  "Winneshiek 
Lodge  No.  30,"  of  which  the  following  men  became  charter  members :  Thomas 
F.  Goodhue,  E.  A.  Aiggins,  C.  G.  Strohecker,  A.  W.  Schuler,  W.  T.  McCool, 
H.  G.  Moore,  S.  D.  Carpenter,  Chas.  Powell  and  S.  B.  Farwell. 

Meetings  were  first  held  in  the  garret  of  a  brick  building  in  that  portion  of 
the  city  which  is  now  the  Second  Ward,  then  known  as  Knowltontown.  In 
time  the  organization  became  prosperous,  and  the  place  of  meeting  was  changed 
to  one  more  convenient  and  better  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the  order.  After 
various  changes,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  finally  took  possession  of  the  hall  in  the  Munn 
building,  which  has  since  continued  in  their  hands,  and  is  known  as  Odd  Fel- 
lows' hall.  The  growth  in  importance  and  prosperity  of  Winneshiek  Lodge  has 
been  steady  and  consistent.  Some  of  the  famous  men  of  Freeport's  history 
have  been  connected  with  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  always  the  order  has  stood  for 
the  best  and  most  advanced  in  social,  fraternal,  and  charitable  circles.  None 
of  the  charter  members  of  Winneshiek  lodge  are  living,  and  many  of  them 
never  returned  from  the  Civil  War. 

The  lodge  now  numbers  about  one  hundred  and  seventy  members,  and  has 
elected  for  the  current  year  the  following  officers :  Noble  grand,  W.  F.  Alte- 
meier ;  vice  grand,  E.  L.  Yoder ;  secretary,  Henry  Brinkman ;  financial  secretary, 
Frank  B.  Koenig.  Meetings  are  held  on  Wednesdays  in  Odd  Fellows'  hall. 

Freeport  Lodge  No.  239.  A  large  number  of  German  citizens  of  the  Win- 
neshiek lodge  had  for  a  number  of  years  wished  to  organize  into  a  separate 
lodge  where  their  own  mother  tongue  could  be  used  in  the  meetings  and  rituals. 
In  1857  a  portion  of  them  decided  to  take  this  step,  and  a  withdrawal  from 
Winneshiek  lodge  was  effected.  A  charter  for  the  new  lodge  was  petitioned  for, 
and  Freeport  lodge  was  duly  installed  with  the  following  charter  members:  D. 
B.  Schulte,  John  Hoebel,  Jacob  Krohn,  Henry  Deuermeyer,  and  William  Stine. 

Meetings  were  at  first  convened  in  the  old  Odd  Fellows'  Hall  over  the 
Stephenson  County  Bank,  corner  of  Chicago  and  Stephenson  streets.  The  place 
of  meeting  was  afterward  moved  to  the  lodge  rooms  in  Munn's  building,  now 
known  as  Odd  Fellows'  Hall.  Meetings  have  been  held  there  ever  since. 


•     HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY  587 

Freeport  Lodge  has  an  enrollment  of  about  one  hundred  members  at  the 
present  time.  Meetings  are  held  every  Monday,  and  the  business  is  conducted 
by  the  following  officers:  Noble  grand,  George  Foss;  secretary,  Albert  Dittman. 

Stephenson  Lodge  No.  61.  Stephenson  Lodge  is  the  newest  acquisition  to 
the  ranks  of  the  subordinate  Odd  Fellows'  lodges  of  Freeport.  It  was  founded 
in  April,  1884,  by  members  who  thereupon  withdrew  from  the  other  two  lodges, 
W.  W.  Krape  being  instrumental  in  its  founding.  As  it  was  thought  best  to 
conduct  the  business  of  Stephenson  lodge  entirely  apart  from  Winneshiek  and 
Freeport  lodges,  the  new  society  did  not  meet  in  the  old  Odd  Fellows'  Hall, 
but  secured  new  quarters  in  the  Rosenstiel  building,  on  the  third  floor  over 
the  store  now  occupied  by  H.  A.  Hunekemeier.  Here  club  rooms  have  been 
fitted  out,  and  the  fraternal  and  social  side  of  this  lodge  is  made  an  especial 
feature.  The  membership  is  ninety-five,  having  grown  from  an  original  fif- 
teen. The  officers  for  the  year  are:  Noble  grand,  Arthur  Graham;  secretary, 
Walter  Oswald. 

Western  Star  Encampment  of  Patriachs  No.  25.  Encampment  No.  25  was 
founded  at  Belvidere,  Illinois,  but  was  subsequently  removed  to  Freeport.  The 
charter  had  been  granted  to  Belvidere  on  the  i4th  day  of  October,  1857,  and 
the  removal  was  accomplished  within  a  very  short  time  after  that  date.  The 
Western  Star  Encampment  is  the  highest  branch  of  Odd  Fellowship  and  is 
open  to  all  brothers  in  good  standing  who  have  obtained  the  Scarlet  Degree  in 
the  subordinate  lodges. 

When  the  encampment  was  removed  to  Freeport  the  charter  members  were 
seven  in  number.  The  encampment  now  has  a  membership  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-seven,  among  them  some  of  the  most  prominent  business  men  of  Free- 
port.  The  officers  are:  C.  P.,  Geo.  McKnight;  scribe,  E.  S.  Auman.  Meetings 
are  held 

Stephen  A.  Douglas  Encampment  No.  100.  The  Stephen  A.  Douglas  En- 
campment was  an  outgrowth  of  Freeport  Lodge,  in  that  it  came  to  be  founded 
by  the  same  German  citizens  who  had  been  the  originators  of  the  subordinate 
organization.  It  was  chartered  October  12,  1869,  by  Jacob  Krohn,  John  Hoebel, 
William  Wagner,  Sr.,  Henry  Rohkar,  Sr.,  Gabriel  Lampert,  and  Mathias  Het- 
tinger,  Sr.,  who  made  up  the  entire  list  of  charter  members.  From  this  small 
list  the  membership  has  grown  to  about  seventy-five.  Meetings  are  held  .on 
the  second  and  fourth  Fridays  of  the  month  in  Odd  Fellows'  Hall.  The  officers 
are:  C.  P.,  Allen  Janssen;  high  priest,  Charles  Meyer;  secretary,  Albert  F. 
Dittman. 

Canton  Unity  No.  j  P.  M.  The  Canton  Unity,  which  is  a  social  and  mili- 
tary order  in  Odd  Fellowship,  is  the  newest  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  lodges  of  Free- 
port.  It  was  founded  in  October,  1904,  by  I.  G.  Wise,  with  a  charter  roll  ®f 
twenty-five  members.  The  branch  is  somewhat  analogous  to  the  commandery 
in  Masonry.  Although  of  recent  organization  it  is  flourishing  and  promises 
to  be  one  of  the  most  active  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  organizations  of  the  city.  There 
are  about  forty-five  members.  The  officers  are:  Captain,  E.  L.  Yoder;  lieu- 
tenant, John  C.  Bricker;  secretary,  John  Sharpies. 

Busy  Bee  Lodge  No.  138,  Rebekah  Degree.  The  honorary  "Rebekah"  de- 
gree, designed  to  include  the  wives  and  widows  of  Odd  Fellows  was  originated 


588  HISTORY  OF  STEPHENSON  COUNTY 

in  1851.  Freeport  now  possesses  two  lodges,  of  which  the  Busy  Bee  Lodge  is 
the  oldest.  It  was  chartered  in  Freeport  June  4,  1884,  by  about  a  dozen  mem- 
bers, out  of  whom  three  are  at  present  living.  The  especial  function  of  the 
Rebekahs  is  to  care  for  the  charitable  and  social  side  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  or- 
ganizations, with  the  emphasis  on  the  former.  They  make  provisions  for  the 
care  and  maintenance  of  dependent  widows  and  orphans  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
for  that  purpose  they  support  two  orphan  asylums  and  homes  at  Lincoln  and 
Mattoon  in  this  state.  The  present  membership  is  about  one  hundred  and 
forty-eight.  The  officers  for  the  current  year  are:  Noble  grand,  Mrs.  A.  B. 
Haney;  secretary,  Mrs.  Ida  Howell.  Meetings  are  held  on  the  second  and 
fourth  Saturdays  of  the  month  in  Odd  Fellows'  Hall. 

Illinois  Lodge  No.  259,  Rebekah  Degree.  Illinios  Lodge  was  established 
June,  1889.  Dr.  Krape,  who  was  also  instrumental  in  establishing  Stephenson 
Lodge,  was  a  factor  in  securing  the  Illinois  Lodge.  Forty-three  names  appeared 
upon  the  original  charter,  and  Mrs.  George  Emerick  became  the  first  noble 
grand.  Mrs.  I.  G.  Wise  was  the  first  secretary  of  the  lodge. 

Illinois  Lodge  now  numbers  one  hundred  and  seventeen  members.  The  of- 
ficers for  the  years  are :  Noble  grand,  Mrs.  Anna  Jackson ;  secretary,  A.  Roberts. 
Meetings  are  convened  on  the  second  and  fourth  Fridays  of  the  month  in 
Odd  Fellows'  Hall. 

This  completes  the  list  of  the  various  I.  O.  O.  F.  organizations  of  Freeport. 
All  are  in  a  most  prosperous  condition,  and  have  succeeded  in  accomplishing  a 
great  deal  since  their  founding.  A  movement  is  now  under  way  for  the  build- 
ing of  an  Odd  Fellows'  Temple,  but  it  is  extremely  improbable  that  the  project 
will  culminate  in  the  near  future  at  least.  Concerted  action  is  the  only  factor 
which  can  possibly  bring  about  the  building  of  such  a  temple,  and  at  present, 
with  Stephenson  Lodge  holding  meetings  in  quarters  of  its  own  and  having  no 
connection  with  the  other  lodges,  the  outlook  for  such  unity  is  not  very  bright. 
Winneshiek  and  Freeport  Lodges  have  taken  steps  toward  the  building  of  the 
temple,  in  that  a  sort  of  ways  and  means  committee  has  been  chosen.  Among 
the  active  members  of  the  committee  are  the  Rev.  William  H.  Beynon,  William 
Garrety,  Henry  Brinkman,  and  George  Schmelzle.  Should  these  gentlemen  be 
successful  in  raising  enough  funds  to  carry  the  project  through,  Freeport  will 
have  more  reason  than  ever  to  be  proud  of  its  I.  O.  O.  F.  lodges. 

The  Freeport  Lodge  No.  617  of  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks  was  organized  September 
6,  1900,  with  a  roll  of  charter  members  numbering  forty.  It  is  thus  one  of 
the  youngest  organizations  in  the  city,  but,  during  its  career,  has  been  very  active. 
It  has  taken  the  place,  to  a  great  degree,  of  a  young  men's  club  among  the 
younger  business  men  of  the  city.  All  of  the  prominent  young  men  of  the  city 
are  identified  with  the  Elks,  and  while  the  younger  men  are  those  principally 
interested  in  the  lodge,  and  connected  with  its  workings,  the  membership  is 
by  no  means  limited  to  their  ranks. 

The  national  organization  of  the  Elks  transacts  its  business  with  appropriate 
secrecy.  Absolutely  no  publicity  is  given  to  the  affairs  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  if  some  of  the  good  offices  were  made  public,  it  is  certain  that  the  Elks  would 
number  an  even  larger  circle  of  friends  and  members  than  they  today  enjoy.  The 
work  of  the  order  has  been  carried  on  in  charitable  lines,  and  an  amount  of  work 


HISTORY  OF  SrEPHFNSON  COUNTY 

has  been  done  which  seems  nothing  short  of  astonishing  to  the  uninitiated.  For 
example,  large  sums  of  money  were  raised  and  sent  to  the  sufferers  in  Italy 
after  the  great  Sicilian  earthquake  at  Messina.  A  great  deal  was  done  to  alleviate 
the  sufferings  of  the  miners'  families  after  the  Cherry  disaster,  and  in  all  of  these 
good  works,  the  Freeport  Elks  have  not  failed  to  do  their  part. 

The  Freeport  Lodge  maintains  club  rooms  at  133  Stephenson  street  over  C. 
W.  Harden's  store,  between  Van  Buren  street  and  South  Galena  avenue.  Here 
a  common  meeting  place  is  provided  for  the  members  of  the  organization,  and 
thus'  the  social  and  fraternal  life  of  the  society  is  promoted.  The  lodge  now 
numbers  two  hundred  and  forty  members.  Meetings  are  held  on  the  first  and 
third  Thursdays  of  the  month  in  the  club  rooms  at  133  Stephenson  street. 

The  officials  of  the  Elks,  known  as  the  exalted  rulers,  are  as  follows  for 
the  current  year :  R.  P.  Eckert,  R.  D.  Kuchner,  Dr.  C.  L.  Snyder,  T.  H.  Hollister, 
Emil  Haeni,  M.  J.  Hanly,  W.  E.  Fry,  Wm.  A.  Stevens,  W.  N.  Tice,  and  Wm. 
G.  Krape.  John  W.  Clark  is  secretary. 


INDEX 


Illinois — Under  Four  Flags 3 

Sucker    State 6 

Physiography  of  Stephenson  County 7 

Geology  of  Stepheuson  County 10 

The  Black  Hawk  War 31 

Frontier  Lite  in  1832 36 

Battle  of  the  Pecatonica 41 

Captain   Stepheusou's  Battle 42 

The   Original  Muster  Roll 50 

Black  Hawk  War  Monument 51 

Reunions  of   Survivors  of  Black   Hawk 

War   54 

Black  Hawk — An  Historic  Play 55 

The  First  Settlements — 1833-1837 55 

Ransoniberg   64 

The  First  Election 66 

Locating  the  County  Seat 67 

The  Name  Freeport 68 

1837   69 

Stephenson  County,  1837-1850 76 

An  Early  Suicide 78 

1840 — Amusements    82 

First  Circuit  Court 86 

Courts,   Laws,   Etc. 86 

Prairie  Fires 88 

Mormons  Invade  the  County 89 

After  1837   91 

Richard  Hunt,  Clerk 92 

An  Early  Hotel 92 

The  People  Versus  Shin-Plasters 93 

The  Town  Bell 93 

Manny  Reaper  Wins  Over  McCormick..  93 

The  First  Circus 93 

Tripp  Boy  Lost 93 

The  First  Brick  Building 94 

Water  Power   Rights 94 

English   Colony — Ridott 95 

The   Wallace   Suicide 95 

The  Boa  rdman  Murder 96 

German    Colony    96 

1844-1850   " 96 

The  War  With  Mexico 97 

After   1837 98 

Newspapers  98 

Township   Organization— 1850-1860 100 

Freeport   a   Town— 1850    101 

Census  of  1850 101 

Asiatic  Cholera— 1850-1852 103 

The  Forty-Xinpr? — The  Gold  Fever 104 

Whig  Celebration.  1849 105 

Politics    105 

Various  Items  of  Interest 100 

Fourth  of  July  Celebration  in  Freeport. 

1851    '. 106 

Agricultural  Meeting 107 

Meeting  of  Soldiers  of  War  of  1812 107 

Temperance  in  1854 107 

Real  Estate 108 

Business — 1857    110 


The  Manny  Reaper  Company 110 

Hard  Times  in  1857 Ill 

Criminal  Records 113 

Freeport  Gets  City  Charter — 1855 114 

Big  Fremont  Meeting — 1856 115 

Banners   116 

Campaign  of  1860 116 

Item,   1860 117 

The    Railroad  —  The    End    of    Pioneer 

Times    117 

The  Galena  and  Chicago  Railroad 118 

The  Illinois  Central 120 

The  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul 120 

Items  on  Railroads — Freeport  Journal..  121 

The  Cars  Are  Here 121 

The    Chicago    Great    Western    Railroad 

Company — The  "Corn  Belt  Route"..  122 
The    Rockford    &    Interurban    Railroad 

Company  122 

The  Migration  to  Stepheuson  County ....  122 

Frontier  Conditions 137 

The  Log  Cabin 137 

Going  to  Mill 139 

Raisings   140 

Quiltings  and  Corn  Huskings 141 

Cutting  Grain 141 

Threshing  Grain 142 

Markets  and  Prices 144 

Poisonous  Snakes 146 

Frontier  Life 147 

Large  Families  of  the  Pioneer  Times.  . .  .149 

Indians — The  White  Man's  Burden 153 

A  Murder — Tradition  or  Fact 155 

The  Prairie  Pirates 156 

Pioneer  Advertising,  News  and  Business  159 

Interesting    Items— 1850-2 168 

Pioneer  Education   172 

Schools   174 

The  Little  Red  School  House 175 

Cornstalk  College,  District  No.  1 178 

Union  School  Exhibit 182 

Short  Items  of  Interest 182 

Freeport  Seminary  Exhibition — 1854.... 182 

Pioneer  Preachers 184 

The  Pioneer  Physician 184 

The  Pioneer  Newspaper 185 

Stephenson  County  Court  and  Bar  in  Pio- 
neer Days    186 

Court   190 

Court  and  Bar 191 

The  Lyceum  of  Early  Days 102 

The  Lecture  Courses 193 

AiWams  Institute 195 

Freeport   Literary  Institute 195 

Public    Lecture1* 190 

The  Lincoln-Dousrlas  Debate — 1858 19fi 

The  Ottawa   Debate 201 

^he  Freenort  Debate 202 

Whore   the   Debate   Was   Held 203 


590 


INDEX 


591 


Description  of  Douglas  and  Lincoln 204 

Lincoln's  Questions  and  Douglas'  Reply. 206 

Second  Joint   Debate 208 

The  Civil  War 238 

Cedarville  in  the  Civil  War 240 

Camp  Life  of  the  Forty-sixth  Illinois. .  .241 

Eleventh  Infantry 243 

Fifteenth    Infantry 248 

Twenty-sixth    Infantry 254 

Forty-fifth    Infantry 260 

Forty-sixth    Infantry 262 

Sixty-seventh    Infantry 287 

Seventy -first  Regiment  289 

Seventy-fourth   Infantry 290 

Ninetieth  Infantry 293 

Ninety-second    Infantry 294 

Ninety-third    Infantry 303 

The  One  Hundred  and  Forty-second  In- 
fantry     309 

The   One    Hundred  and   Forty-sixth    In- 
fantry     313 

One    Hundred    and    Forty-seventh    In- 
fantry  314 

Seventh   Cavalry 317 

Eighth    Cavalry 317 

Twelfth    Cavalry 318 

Thirteenth    Cavalry 318 

Fourteenth    Cavalry 319 

Fifteenth   Cavalry 320 

Seventeenth   Cavalry 320 

First    Artillery 320 

Second   Artillery 321 

Miscellaneous    321 

Stephenson  County  Soldiers'  Monument  321 

Buckeye   Township 340 

Buckeye    Center 341 

Red    Oak 342 

Buena    Vista 343 

Cedarville    344 

Rock  Grove  Township 348 

Rock  Grove 351 

Winslow    Township 352 

Winslow    354 

West  Point  Township 355 

Lena    357 

Waddams  Grove 359 

Louisa    360 

Kent  Township 360 

Kent 362 

Dakota  Township 363 

Dakota    364 

Ridntt    Township 368 

Ridott    371 

German  Valley 373 

Nevada    374 

Everts   376 

Legal    376 

Waddams   Township 376 

McConnel]    377 

Damascus   378 

Waddn ms  Center 379 

Erin  Township   379 

Dublin     381 

Rock  Run  Township  381 

Davis     384 

Rock    City    389 

F.l>!p"HlTia    300 

Irish  Grove   390 

Silver  Creek  Township ."91 

Sontb  Freeport  392 

Dunbar    393 


Bailey ville   393 

Lancaster  Township   393 

Winneshiek    396 

Harlem  Township 396 

Scioto  Mills  398 

Oueco  Township 399 

Oneco    408 

Jefferson  Township  409 

Loran    411 

Florence  Township    412 

Boltore    415 

Loran  Township 415 

Mill  Grove  417 

Pearl  City    418 

Freeport .422 

Religious    422 

First  Presbyterian  Church    422 

St.  Mary's  Church  423 

First  Baptist  Church   427 

St.  Joseph's  Church   429 

Second  Presbyterian  Church   430 

First  M.  E.  Church  431 

First  English  Lutheran  Church 434 

Embury  M.  E.  Church  436 

Grace  Episcopal  Church 437 

Trinity  Cnurch  438 

First  German  Reformed  Church 440 

German  Immanuel  Church   441 

St.  John's  Evangelical  Church  441 

Third  Presbyterian  Church 442 

German  M.  E.  Church   443 

Salem  Church   444 

Emanuel  Evangelical  Church  445 

First  Free  Methodist  Church  446 

First  English  Reformed  Church  447 

First  Church  of  Christ,  Scientist 448 

United  Brethren  Church 449 

First  Congregational  Church   449 

Christian    Church    450 

Theosophical  Society  451 

People's   Institute    451 

Schools  after  1860  452 

Schools  of  Freeport  453 

Township  Treasurers    458 

Teachers    459 

Early  Teachers  460 

County  Institutes :461 

The  County  Commencement  461 

Globe  Park  and  Chautauqua 464 

Freeport  Newspapers    465 

Freeport  Journal    465 

Deutscher  Anzeiger  467 

The  National  Swine  Magazine  470 

Freeport  Bulletin  470 

Freeport  Standard  472 

Dead   Newspapers    472 

City   Editors    476 

Fraternal   Organizations    476 

Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 476 

Woman's  Relief  Corps   485 

Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  .485 

Woman's  Club    486 

Freoport  Shakespeare  Society   488 

Euterpenn     490 

Culture  Club  492 

Humane  Society  493 

Juvenile  Court    494 

Truant  and  Home  Matron   494 

Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union    .495 

Freenort  Audubon    Society   496 

Stephenson  County  Medical  Association  497 


592 


INDEX 


Freejiort  Club   498 

Lakota   Club    499 

Germania  Society 500 

County  Club   504 

Democratic  Club    505 

Citizen's  Commercial  Association 505 

Business  Enterprises    508 

Stover  Manufacturing  Company    508 

Stover  Engine  Works  509 

Arcade  Manufacturing  Company 510 

Moline  Plow  Company  511 

The  Hoefer  Manufacturing  Company   ..512 
The  Ziegler-Schryer  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany   513 

Dirksen  &  Towslee 514 

W.  T.  Kawleigh  Medical  Company 514 

Natural  Carbon  Paint  Company 515 

Freeport  Water  Company   516 

Slephenson  County  Telephone  Company. 517 

Freeport  Telephone  Company 517 

The  Fuerst-McNess  Company 518 

Baler  &  Ohlendorf 518 

Schmich  Brothers   519 

Western   Brewery    519 

Yellow  Creek  Brewery  520 

Woodmanse  Manufacturing  Company   ..520 
Freeport  Gas,  Light  &  Coke  Company  .  .521 
Freeport  Railway,  Light  &  Power  Com- 
pany     522 

J.  W.  Miller  Company 524 

Freeport  Artificial  Ice  and  Cold  Storage 

Company    525 

Freeport  Shoe  Manufacturing  Company. 525 

Keene  Canning  Company 526 

D.  E.  Swan  Company   527 

Henney  Buggy  Company  528 

The  Charles  E.  Meyer  Company 528 

The   Wallace    Severance    Gas    Machine 

Company     528 

The  Freeport  Gas  Machine  Company  . .  .528 
The  Illinois  Central  Shops 529 


Freeport  Factories 529 

J.  W.  Miller  Company   529 

Stores    529 

Wholesale  Houses   537 

Freeport  Real  Estate  Business 538 

The   Union  Building  and  Loan  Associa- 
tion     539 

The  Freeport  Building  and  Loan  Asso- 
ciation      540 

The  German  Building  and    Loan    Asso- 
ciation of  Freeport  540 

The  German  Insurance  Company   540 

Banks  of  Freeport 541 

First  National  Bank  541 

Second  National  Bank   542 

German  Bank   543 

State  Bank    543 

Knowlton's  Bank   544 

Non-Existent    Banks    545 

Stephenson    County   Court    and    Bar    in 

1910   546 

Institutions  of  Freeport  549 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association 549 

Freeport  Public  Library   554 

The  Hospitals  of  Freeport 558 

King's  Daughters  Settlement  Home  ....562 

Oakland  Cemetery  Association 564 

The  Old  Settlers'  Association 565 

The  Great  Storm  of  June,  1869 568 

The  Courthouse   569 

The  County  Jail  570 

The  Freeport  Postoffice 571 

County  Officials— 1910   571 

City  Improvements   572 

Local  Option  Campaigns ..573 

Trustees  of  the  Town  of  Freeport  from 
its  Organization  in  1850  to  the  Year 

1855   573 

City   Officers   from    its   Organization    in 

1855  to  1910 573  , 

General  Lodge  Directory 577 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 


